Arrest warrant sought for Rep. McKinney ( Associated Press)

[OKNancy]

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/14254113.htm

Arrest warrant sought for Rep. McKinney
LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - U.S. Capitol Police on Monday asked a federal prosecutor to approve an arrest warrant for Rep. Cynthia McKinney after she tangled with a uniformed officer last week.

"We are working with Capitol Hill police to fully understand and appreciate the incident," principal assistant U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Citing the ongoing investigation, Phillips declined to say whether the referral included a recommended charge against the six-term Democrat or when a warrant for her arrest might be issued.

In a statement, Capitol Police said it "has referred its investigative findings to the U.S. attorney." The department must acquire approval from U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein before it can ask a judge to issue an arrest warrant on assault or other charges.

Same story/ Washington Post link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/03/AR2006040300998.html

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Doesn't sound good for Rep. McKinney. (nt)

[ShortnFiery]

16. This is such bull shit !

We live in a police state people. Suck it up or migrate to Canada. :cry:

[henslee]

22. Such bullshit. But our VP can shoot a man in the face and joke about it

a month later.

[ixion]

27. exactly

a shotgun blast to the face is somehow less than a shove, or whatever she did to the officer.

remarkable. :crazy:

[dchill]

124. Apples and oranges...

1. She is a woman.
2. She is black.
3. She is a LIBERAL Democrat who sees through the lies of the neocons.

Different standards must apply if we are to maintain NATIONAL SECURITY. Which in this case means making a scapegoat of this popular Dem to distract from the real stories that are spilling out of the Bushocracy even as we speak. Implying that McKinney is a lunatic criminal will help deflect the true stories about the real lunatic criminals. You know - the ones with the guns.

:crazy::sarcasm:

[Jawja]

147. This is clearly

harrassment against McKinney. She won her seat back in Congress and continues to talk; so the powers that be are now on a campaign to shut her up.

IMHO, of course.

[Cronus Protagonist]

34. You're right, she should have shot the guard with a shotgun

Then there would be no need for an arrest warrant.

:sarcasm:

[henslee]

35. A perfectly pitched Leno/Conan monologue joke.

[Cronus Protagonist]

38. For the record, if either of these shows, or Colbert want it - it's FREE!

:)

[iamthebandfanman]

194. well

it does help when the person u shot is like
'OHHH ITS OKAY I LOVE THE GUY!' and is ur friend.

[av8tor05]

148. What are you talking about?

She hit a police officer! Lets you or I try that and see if we get away with it. Holy crap, I expect our elected officials to obey the law, all laws, not just the ones they want to obey.

[guruoo]

225. Welcome to DU

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. Christ on a cracker....

talk about overkill. :eyes:

[mom cat]

3. This is sounding more and more like a set up!

[OKthatsIT]

13. Or course it's a set up...

I rather doubt the guard would have grabbed a white male's arm like that.

Rep McKinney is the head spokesperson for 9/11 Truth. When Charlie Sheen got the attention of the masses, it scared the shit out of (corrupt) Washington.

[mom cat]

46. Here is the link to her campaign fund:

http://www.cynthiaforcongress.com/donations.html

[goclark]

226. A Law and Order fan is wondering around

Maybe they should do all their posting about De Lay, now THAT is a LAW BREAKER!

[BlackHeart]

4. What kind of weapon did she assault

him with a knife, a ball bat, a gun? It must have been something dangerous.

[MagickMuffin]

111. It was first reported to be a cellphone

"Ow, she hit me with her cellphone, I'm gonna see that she gets arrested for striking me":shrug:

[BOHICA06]

5. Imagine what a heart felt ....

apology could do.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. That's what I thought.

She doesn't deny the incident happened, but she doesn't apologize for it either, even though there's no way she could possibly be in the right.

[ShortnFiery]

19. Bullshit, when you are assaulted from behind what should she have

said, "Oh white POlice OfFicer, please forgive my uppity black ass for assuming that you should have accepted my badge. Whize I didn't know that you would believe the badge to be real. I should of because Is got big hair and am a black bitch."

How's that for a heartfelt apology?

[qanda]

32. That's good

But she should be sure to be down on her knees and have a scarf tied around her nappy locks.

[av8tor05]

152. More excuse makin'

How about she turn to the officer and say "Hello officer, I am Congresswoman McKiney. How are you today?" End of story before it begins. Her situation is: I don't want to wear my pin, I don't want to wear my badge, I have completely changed my look from my official photograph, but when stopped for going around security I get to turn around and slap you.

Let's just hypothetically say that someone who looks like anyone of our Congressman walked around security and the police officer failed to stop them. Then it turns out that the individual in question was a right-wing wacko hell-bent on harming one of our liberal icons. Everyone here would be all-over the Capitol police for NOT doing their jobs of providing security.

[myrna minx]

220. Edit-removed by author.

n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

157. You don't hit a cop.

Period.

She was in violation of the laws. The cop went to enforce them. Period.

Racism is a total fucking cop-out.

[henslee]

24. Actually, she should say nothing incriminating at this point.

[Sterling]

232. Yes the cop should have apologized for putting his hands on a

Female US congressperson. If he cannot be bothered to learn who these people are he needs a new job. Maybe night security at a small town walmart?

[LA lady]

6. ruh-roh

[jasmeel]

7. Overreact much?

[Ian David]

8. Can't we just have a debate and maybe an investigation?

Maybe we'd get around to disciplining Rep. McKinney sometime around the time the Repukes turn-over Phase II of the pre-war intelligence investigation.

[laruemtt]

10. oh for chrissakes................

this has got to be THE most overblown incident ever - on both sides!

[OKthatsIT]

15. Its NOT overblown on McKinney's part...its called 'self-preservation'

She has to defend herself from these attacks. Or maybe you dont know about that?

[LisaL]

122. I think it's called "chip on her shoulder".

If she really wanted to prevent these incidents, she would wear her ID pin.

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. Isn't this a violation of the Constitution?

Article I, Section 6, para. 1: "The Senators and Representatives shall... in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same...."

Is this alleged incident already treason? A felony? Even a breach of the peace?

Ok, here is a scary thought: If Rep. McKinney is arrested for "breaching the peace", how long until every Democrat on Capitol Hill finds himself arrested for a similar "breach of the peace" just before a major vote, say, a vote for impeachment? After all, getting vocal in the media against the Current Regime is treason (just ask Ann Coulter and Bill O`Lielly.) Appearing at a rally that denigrates the achievements of Fearless Leader is "aiding and abetting the terrorists" and a disruption of public calm.

:tinfoilhat:

[ShortnFiery]

20. Yes, we best not look "cross-eyed" at a police officer lest ...

they send us to GitMo? Remember just because we are USA citizens does not keep us out of "permanent detainment."

[TechBear_Seattle]

25. As the Supreme Court effectively decided re. Padilla n/t

[marshall]

37. During session...

I believe the section of the Constitution you cite refers to arrests conducted during actual sessions. My understanding is that she was not going to a session meeting, she was racing to meet with somebody, while also talking on the phone which is probably why her attention was distracted away from the security forces.

I would compare this to somebody who gets in a wreck because they are distracted by a cell phone while in a rush to get to a meeting they are late to. If she hadn't been distracted she would have been aware of the attention she was attracting from the security guards.

I sympathize with her indignation at not being recognized by the guard, but in my opinion her change in hairstyle changes her entire appearance. I would recognize her immediately if I saw an old photo, but until I knew that the new look was her I would not have recognized her. If you are not going to wear you ID pin and are also going to have a complete makeover I think you have to expect to go the extra mile to be recognized.

But having said all that I think the entire incident is being WAY overblown.

[LostinVA]

39. You are correct

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

Striking a police officer is a felony.

What? Did you think that was a misdemeanor?

If you want to find out, go hit a cop and see what happens.

[Sterling]

231. If I hit a cop

He would be asleep on his ass. I have a feeling McKinney, a US congress person on her way to work and accosted by a Cap Hill Cop did not actually "hit" the officer in a way that was an actual injurious assault. The cop sounds like a real fucking cry baby. He should apologize for having his head up his ass and putting his hands on a lady.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

238. All machismo aside.

You'd then have a gun pulled on you by his partners and then cuffed.

[rman]

236. but did she "strike" him?

[tatertop]

12. Truthspeakers beware!

You WILL learn to love Big Brother!

[ShortnFiery]

17. Those in power can tell the chattering classes to go f**k themselves

and shoot their friends in the face without repercussions.

However, those uppity black bitch congresswomen will be put in their place.

I'm disgusted beyond belief! :puke:

[tatertop]

47. This sets a very very very bad precedent for those who speak up

[Botany]

14. so the President lies and takes us into a war after doing nothing to .....

.... 9/11 and has broken God knows how many laws but "they" are going after
McKinney?

[ShortnFiery]

18. Those in POWER make all the rules and RE-WRITE History ...

I think I'm going to go have a good cry.
No, I still do not love Big Brother. :(

[RDU Socialist]

44. apples to oranges

the police can not arrest the president for lying us into war, they can arrest someone for slapping a police officer.

she could have avoided this whole mess by apologizing for what she did.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

56. She didn't slap...

a police officer. Get your facts straight.

[superconnected]

21. of course it's fine that cheney shoots a man in the face and bush kills

thousands of americans for oil.

Republicanism is a mental disease. I wouldn't be surprised if we find out its related to mad cow.

[Old and In the Way]

23. This plays into the Republican need to find 'bad' Democrats to

offset the real crimes that the Syndicate commits everyday while in session. One McKinney = all Republican crimes.

[Pepper32]

26. Rep. McKinney today and all of us that speak the truth tomorrow!

Wake up!

This is only the beginning.

[Joanne98]

28. McKinney and lawyer on TV right now saying No to story!

Her lawyer says he just talked to them and it's all routine!

[caligirl]

31. whats routine? just saw your post after poting mine below.

[caligirl]

29. This is bullshit, the DNC,DLC,DCCC and allother D's should

jump all over this as the beginning of arresting congressmen while being democrat, harrassment by Bushco and Rove.

There is an odor coming from the WH, Its Roves!

[meow2u3]

30. McKinney is a member of Congress

She cannot be arrested on bullshit charges. She has constitutional protection from arrest except if she's convicted of a felony.

[ShortnFiery]

33. It's a case of racial profiling!

It's been proven via numerous respected psychological studies that people have a difficult time distinguishing the "facial characteristics" of those NOT of their race.

The officer was WRONG. If you are a white officer, you should have the appropriate classes to help you recognize diplomats and representatives of other races.

Identifying someone by a hairstyle is UNSAT.

This Police Officer was shown her badge yet grabbed her from behind.

I submit in this White officer's racial profiling a black woman with big hair can NOT be legitimate.

Racial Profiling They want to go forth, I'm with McKinney all the way!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

160. Are you white?

If so, come to the Capitol and try to bypass the metal detectors. When you get out of jail, come back and tell us all what happened.

[RDU Socialist]

45. where you're wrong

1. while congress is in session, congress wasn't in session when she hit the police officer, so she can be arrested.
2. assaulting a police officer is a felony.
3. these aren't bullshit charges as she acknowledged that she hit the officer.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

52. LOL!! Whatever.

[ShortnFiery]

168. I second that ... also not very socialist of you?!?

Gee, the flood gates of Goofy have been open. I must now get a beer and some popcorn. :hi:

[radwriter0555]

69. Where dick cheney was wrong: No one hunts quail at dusk. It's criminal to

be drunk and hunting at the same time...

It's illegal to obstruct an investigation into the intoxication level of the plaintiff.

It's criminal to conclude an investigation into the shooting of a man by a drunken vice president without actually taking a statement from the victim.

But hey, Mckinney can have hands laid on her by a police officer in building she's been in thousands of times, and can't react in an appropriate manner to said hands being laid on her.

But Dead eye dick cheney can shoot a man in the face.

Life under a bush.

[RDU Socialist]

89. because he shot a man in texas

and the stupid person he shot apologized for it. the cop on the other hand is still right here, you simply can not hit an officer. you can sue one for physical abuse, but you can not strike him. if he was abusing her in the capitol building or wherever she was, then there would have been witnesses who'd have testified to her innocence in regards to this.

dick cheney should have been arrested for a number of things, shooting a man, obstructing any kind of police investigation into the matter, and covering up the entire scenario and lying about it to authorities. but because dick cheney was treated with kid gloves by texas authorities doesn't give cynthia mckinney the right to hit a police officer.

end. of. story.

[martymar64]

241. You go grab some woman from behind and see if you don't get hit

That is a natural reaction. If the pig was doing his job, he would have stepped in front of her. Of course, because she's black, he felt he had every right to grab or even beat her down if he wanted to.
That's the reality, as American as Baseball, Apple pie and the lynch mob.

[Massachusetts]

36. Arrest warrant sought for Rep. McKinney

Criminal sanctions follows violations of electronic surveillance by intentionally engaging in electronic surveillance under the color of law or through disclosing information known to have been obtained through unauthorized surveillance. The penalties for either act are fines up to $10,000, up to five years in jail, or both.{11}

Question: When is the warrant going out for Der Fuhrer?

[NVMojo]

40. I'm sure the jerkholes "appreciate the incident"

[henslee]

41. Ewwwwwwww-Newwwwwww.

[spooky3]

42. The questions I keep asking myself are...

Would Orrin Hatch have been recognized?
If he weren't, would a guard have touched him in order to ask for ID?
Or would the guard have hurried to run in front of him and said, "sir, I'm terribly sorry but I am obliged to ask for your ID, please"?
If the guard HAD touched him without explanation, would Orrin Hatch have slapped his own forehead and said, "I'm terribly sorry I'm in the wrong, officer..."?

and this is presuming that he does not have a history (unlike women and blacks who hold high level positions) of being treated with less respect than is his due, which might affect his reaction.

[Imagevision]

43. Kidding? Rove will do whatever to create "other news" because of

the many investigations going down.

[Rex]

48. So now she 'tangled' with the cop?

In three months it will be 'attacked', then 'assaulted with a deadly weapon', etc. The BFEE really wants anyone who talks about 911 to shut up quick and permanently.

[MasonJar]

49. I tried to donate, but it wouldn't let me. Did anyone else have

this problem. Is a Capital guard allowed to grab a Rep by the arm?

[mvd]

50. Well, when it's the Capitol Police's word vs. McKinney's..

I'm taking McKinney's side. The Capitol Police are no strangers to overreaction. And I still suspect something fishy about them not recognizing McKinney. She's not a new congresswoman.

[undergroundrailroad]

60. I agree. n/t

[TheVirginian]

63. Over-react?

Aside from protecting the lives of 535 elected officials in public office buildings that anybody can enter, its not like the Capitol Police don't have a reason to be strict on security.

[mvd]

68. There are limits, unless we're going to play into

Bush's fear yet again. The Capitol police have crossed those limits IMO.

[TheVirginian]

133. How, exactly?

At a security checkpoint, someone who was not recognized by the security officers and was not wearing a members pin walked past the security checkpoint. He asked her to stop three times, with no response, so he took minimal physical action.

Even if she was justified in instinctively striking back, its not the Capitol Police's fault, and it sure wasn't crossing the line. Should the officer have recognized McKinney? Maybe, but there are 535 officials, and when checkpoints get crowded, its not always possible to get a good look.

At any rate, when someone you don't recognize walks straight past the metal detectors and doesn't respond to verbal commands, you don't just let them keep walking. The officer was completely justified.

What I don't understand is why people here have to make this a matter of taking sides. For some reason, its either "McKinney was wrong" or "the officer was wrong." Its either "She should be ashamed of herself", or "the officer was a dumbass and should be fired." That's just absurd.

[mvd]

247. It was their fault that they got physical

Period. And how do you know that there was minimal contact by the officer? You're not applying the same standard of doubt to McKinney.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

51. What a pile of crap.

[goclark]

53. Big Pile, I agree! nt

[Murdock]

54. Am I..

The only one that thinks this? I think she should be held accountable like anyone else if she assaulted a peace officer. Noone should be above the law, especially Congress men/women. How can we have any credibility holding the other side of the isle accountable when we can't/won't hold our own accountable?

[bemildred]

55. Your premise is wrong. She did not assault the officer.

He assaulted her, a sitting Congressperson. She should sue his ass, and the DCPD.

[Murdock]

57. with all due respect..

The jury is still out and all the facts have not come in yet, but if the facts are that she did assault an officer, she should be held accountable.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

59. "The jury is still out"?? Not from the comments written in your posts.

[mondo joe]

76. You might have missed the word "if" in the post.

[bemildred]

62. There is no jury, she will never be charged.

No jury will convict her when presented with the facts, and she will sue them for their back teeth if they get cute, and it will look really crappy on TV.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

58. If. If. If. If. Major "ifs" as far as I'm concerned.

[Marie26]

61. Pleeassse.

Because a Congresswoman who's armed & dangerous with a cell phone is such a threat? they were just looking for an excuse to do this & she gave it to them.

[TheVirginian]

64. For those wondering why this story is still making news...

Look no further than Cynthia "Race Card" McKinney, and the non-stop circus that she invites everytime she holds a press conference.

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[goclark]

70. Thank you izzybeans ~ that was so politicaly correct :)

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[goclark]

73. I'm on your side izzybean!

They hate Cynthia because she dares to speak right in their face and tell them who they are ~they can't stand a Black Woman doing that to the King of the Banana Republic of Amerika.

[izzybeans]

74. Sorry. I just reread my first post and thought it may be misinterpreted.

I guess I was in CYA mode. That type of crap gets under my skin to no end.

[Dinger]

83. Ditto To Everything You Said izzybeans

Perfect in fact.

[radwriter0555]

75. Racism, police brutality and excessive force is news when it's used as

a tool to oppress real, active, passionate, intelligent, well informed political leaders -- and when it's used to distract from real crimes, like the drunken vice president shooting his pal in the face while "hunting" at dusk. Or illegal wars. Or lies, treason, obstruction of justice...

Changing the channel is hard for some people, without proper instruction.

[TheVirginian]

134. And when there's an example of any of those things, it'll be news

Is there an inkling or shred of proof that race was even remotely a factor? Nothing but blind speculation and the lowest form of character assassination.

And how in the blue hell can anybody consider grabbing somebody's arm, especially after recieving three verbal warnings, as "excessive" or "brutal"?

[radwriter0555]

140. Assault is the action of the police in putting their hands on her. They

SHOULD have impeded her progress with outstretched arms without placing their hands upon her in any way. THAT is proper police protocol.

Because they touched her, and because she didn't know who had placed their hands upon her person and because they were allegedly calling to her from behind; she had the right to react in an appropriate manner.

The definition of battery is described as the "unwanted touching of another person, or anything connected to that person." Considered offensive, a definition of battery includes an intended act and without consent (permission) of the person being affected.

In most cases, unless there is extraneous pressure involved, cases like this are set aside with laughter and apologies all around.

But the bush regime can use this for a lot of mileage...

[TheVirginian]

243. Neat-o. Its still not excessive or brutal, and still not racism. n/t

[NaturalHigh]

141. She hasn't had many headlines lately.

I'll bet she's loving the attention.

[martymar64]

246. I hear they had race riots in Tulsa

Kinda makes you proud, huh?
BTW, Hook em Horns!

[martymar64]

245. Ah! The truth comes out

Becuase she acknowledges that race is still an issue in this country and won't just be quiet about it, then she is automatically bad. Some places like Virginia never change. Before you accuse me of Southern bashing, I'm in Texas (remember Jasper?)

[benburch]

65. If she struck an officer, she deserves arrest.

NOTHING puts her above the law.

We DEMAND that The Drunk at 1600 Pennsylvania not be above the law, then why should we have a different standard for Congressperson McKinney?

[MetaTrope]

66. I recall Bush running over a Scottish police officer with a bicycle

and putting him on crutches for three month. Shouldn't he be extradited?

[goclark]

139. The Chimp should NEVER break the law

Arrest him!:puke:

[FredScuttle]

72. Excuse me?

The Capitol Police has already changed their story from "punched" to "poked"

Why the fuck would you accept the standard bullshit story as fact? Don't you know this government lies to you as often as Britney Spears needs a cigarette?

[havocmom]

78. Punch of poke an officer doing his/her job and see what happens

Ya just don't do that. A little co-operation goes a long way in avoiding bigger headaches. One would hope a Congresswoman would know that.

[FredScuttle]

80. You and I are much different from a Congresswoman

not that the treatment Congresswoman McKinney has received would indicate any differently.


So you don't care that the Capitol Police have already changed their story, eh?

[havocmom]

85. Did she or did she not have on her identifying pin?

Did she or did she not fail to stop when told to?

Everybody going into that building should expect to be stopped if they do not have on their IDs. PERIOD. One does not take any swipe at an officer doing his/her job. PERIOD.

They call it security for a reason.

[FredScuttle]

91. Her ID pin?!!!

Are you fucking kidding me?

Let me ask this...how many times do you think Tom Delay wore his goddamn "ID pin"?

Yeah...security should be able to recognize one of 14 black Congresswomen, especially one whom previous officers have hassled, with no problem. Give me a fucking break.

[havocmom]

95. You didn't answer the question.

Am betting a lot of Congressional Reps of both sexes and many ethnic groups are not well known to guards who look at hundreds or perhaps thousands of faces in a shift.
Betting they wear their ID pins or stop and co-operate when asked to.

Why didn't she just follow the rules?

[FredScuttle]

110. You place that bet

see what odds Vegas gives you when this woman has had at least 5 occasions where Capitol officers didn't recognize her as a sitting member of Congress.

Oh, by the way, glad to see you're giving the benefit of the doubt to liars and crooks. They thank you, I'm sure.

[LisaL]

119. She has been there for years. And apparently does not wear

her ID pin.

[FredScuttle]

126. And she's been stopped at least 5 times

because the Capitol Police are too dense (or racist) to recognize her.

[LisaL]

128. Maybe it's cause she doesn't wear an ID?

[FredScuttle]

132. One of 14

I'm going to chant this to you all night long, so get used to it

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

1 of 14

[DrGonzoLives]

155. Is this your only argument

She's black, so everyone should know who she is?

Quick, without looking them up (including looking at the file names), who are these people?









It's only four of the fourteen, you shouldn't have any problems.

[Lars39]

159. Interns at age 16 have to know faces and positions held.

Why should a professional have a lower standard?

[0007]

79. ....or as Laura Bush lits one up!

[Zhade]

146. Especially when the police say they won't release the tape.

Too many DUers are falling for this.

[havocmom]

77. Hear hear! She did not have on her ID pin. The officer was doing his job

She needs to face the law just as we would expect anyone to.

There is security for a reason. Congressional Reps have ID pins for a reason. Why did she not wear hers then get a bit over-reactive when someone insisted on her stopping? There are laws.

[FredScuttle]

81. "face the law"

that's absolutely laughable...when a sitting VP gets to shoot a man in the face and get away cleanly, there is no fucking "law" to apply here.

[havocmom]

87. So, we set examples by what? saying 'OK don't obey the laws'

Or do we FOLLOW THE LAW and then be in a position to argue that ALL OTHERS have to also?

[FredScuttle]

104. Heh

That's a nice fantasy....let's take back Congress in November before we entertain those thoughts, eh?

[brentspeak]

82. Well, that's basically it

Blowing past a security clearance, not having an ID pin, and then ignoring a request that she stop -- the cop doesn't have much choice but to restrain her somehow. Add to that the fact that McKinney herself admits she was wearing some totally new hairdo, the whole "the cop was supposed to have memorized every single Congressional member's face" is rendered moot.

That said, I'm not about to make a judgment and say McKinney deserves to be arrested -- depends on the nature of her physical response to the cop restraining her. One thing is for certain: slandering the cop as a "racist" is the probably the very worst way of dealing with this P.R.-wise.

[FredScuttle]

84. well, let's string her up for her gall in wearing her hair differently

I think I'm living in the Twilight Zone...precisely what about a sitting Congresswoman's appearance should prevent a Capitol Officer from recognizing her? Eh?

[brentspeak]

86. Maybe the fact that she wasn't wearing an ID pin, for starters

And, if she was walking away from the officer in addition to completely ignoring him (assuming that part is true), then the cop didn't exactly get much of a chance to examine her face (the story does say the officer grabbed her arm from behind.)

[FredScuttle]

88. ID pin

Precisely how many Congressmen and women wear their ID pin?

Don't believe the hype. It's a red herring. If that cop didn't recognize one of 14 black congresswomen then he's either 1) ignorant or 2)racist....either way, he's derelict in his duty and should be canned immediately.

[havocmom]

92. How many faces a day do you suppose a cop in that position sees?

The stakes are high regarding security in that building. My guess is they are told NOT TO TAKE CHANCES

The Congresswoman could have avoided the whole problem she alone created. Race has nothing to do with it. She blew it. The cop was doing his job.

[FredScuttle]

98. LOL...you don't know security, do you?

I used to work summers as a security guard....had to know at least 300 people by face. It's a job...you take as seriously as the situation warrants. I took my job seriously and I made it my business to know each and every face and name.

Now, consider that Congresswoman McKinney is one of FOURTEEN black Congresswomen in D.C. Should be an easy task for that officer to recognize one of the gang of 14. Seems to me that, if there was a problem in recognition, that he would go after a middle-to-upper age white man with thinning/bald hair and a flag in his lapel, considering there are a hell of a lot more of them to confuse than a black Congresswoman.

[LisaL]

106. Yea, sure. Did those 300 people had to wear any IDs, or was

it all by face? Who are you kidding? I don't know of any job where a security guard would be required to remember hundreds of people by face.

[FredScuttle]

109. Then you've never worked a security job

and you've damn sure never worked a security job in the Capitol.

[LisaL]

113. I haven't. But I have no evidence you did either.

And you have never answered whether those 300 people had to wear IDs, or was it all "face recognition".

[FredScuttle]

115. I answered you

and it's plain that you don't know what you're talking about..so what's the use in engaging you further?

[DrGonzoLives]

151. You've answered nothing

What kind of business were you a security guard for? There's a difference between between an office building and a secure government buidling.

[Sterling]

239. I agree. there is a difference

A cop protecting our top government buildings should not only recognize those who work there everyday but they should NEVER put their hands on these people, especially a woman. Maybe some men here like to batter women but i think it is repulsive myself.

[ShortnFiery]

172. They are also taught "understatement" ...

I submit that he could have easily taken three steps more and stationed himself in front of her. He could have made a scene and would be able to accomplish his job without ASSAULTING A CONGRESSWOMAN.

Trust me on this: Even if she radically changes her hair style, ole' Condi Rice will NEVER be assaulted.

Because he did not "error toward protocol" and get in front of her, there was NO DOUBT in this Officer's mind that she was of NO Imporatance to the Polical Process.

Again, noted that in that local, they are charged with protecting members of Congress? Is THAT irony lost on only me?

[brentspeak]

99. Why are you making this into a racial issue?

I just checked out some articles on the lapel pin -- they're issued to members of Congress specifically for one purpose, and one purpose only: to help identify themselves to Capitol police so that they can go around metal detectors and other security clearances without being asked questions. This goes double today because of the incident two years ago, when two cops were killed by someone who broke past a security clearance. So yeah, members of Congress do wear their pins, and McKinney is an idiot for not wearing hers.

[FredScuttle]

103. Why are you taking the word of lying jackal weasels?

The burden of proof is on the assholes who've been lying to us for five years, not our side.

[brentspeak]

108. I'm not saying that she should be arrested

That's what the Capitol police are saying -- and I'm not taking their word for that. And, unless it can be shown that this cop suffered some kind of actual injury, or that the exchange of physical contact took longer than say, five seconds, I'd say the police are making a big thing over nothing, and should drop the whole thing.

But not wearing the lapel pin is something McKinney admitted; I'm taking her word for that.

[FredScuttle]

116. My point is

why are you harping on Congresswoman McKinney not wearing an ID pin, as opposed to her congressional badge, or even better, the fact that SHE'S ONE OF 14 BLACK CONGRESSWOMEN?

A one-inch pin vs. the fact that his idiot couldn't recognize one of 14 women of color in Congress. I'm glad you're still in doubt about this...reminds me why we fucking lose elections

[havocmom]

90. Nobody is suggesting her fault was a change in hair do

Jeeze, get real! The point is she did not have her ID pin on and did not stop as rightfully ordered to. Should security just let anybody breeze on through

There are several hundred Congressional Reps. They are given IDs for a reason. If they fail to put them on, it is not the security guards' fault.

It wasn't the new do that created the problem. Her disregard of the rules and conventions created the problem. But it would have been a no-brainer to fix if she had just done as asked. The only reason it got outta hand is she failed on several counts. She failed to wear her ID. She failed to stop when told to. She failed to use her head when confronted by a cop doing his job.

Her hairdo has zip to do with it.

[FredScuttle]

94. "let anybody breeze on through?

this is a Congresswoman we're talking about, my friend....this isn't just ANYBODY

Her "ID pin" has nothing to do with it and is a red herring. The fact is that Congresswoman McKinney has been hassled before and the fact that a Capitol Police officer didn't recognize her as a sitting member of Congress reflects badly on the officer, not Mrs. McKinney.

[havocmom]

96. There are over 500 of them

My friend. I would prefer the cops on duty do their jobs. The fact that this particular member of Congress thinks she doesn't need to follow rules and such is a reflection on her behavior that day. The cop was doing what he gets paid to do.

[FredScuttle]

101. 500 black Congresswomen?

HOLD ON, 'LIZBETH....I'M COMIN!!!

[LisaL]

112. Everybody is special.

Why do you think police officers are supposed to remember a certain group of people, be it black congresswomen, but not the others?

[FredScuttle]

121. Let me say it again

THERE ARE ONLY 14 GODDAMN BLACK CONGRESSWOMEN IN D.C.

As I said previously, if there should be any confusion, the officer should be stopping middle-aged white men who are thinning/balding with a flag pin in their lapel since, by volume, they are the most frequent travelers through the checkpoint.

[martymar64]

249. If you see someone day after day after day

then they become recognizable, especially if they are ONE OF FOURTEEN black Congressmembers.
How many times does Orrin Hatch or Sensenbrenner or any other repukes wear their one inch lapel pins?
This is racial profiling, she's lucky he didn't just shoot her in the back like most pigs would do.

[goclark]

227. 14 is the number :)

[LisaL]

97. But she shouldn't punch him regardless, assuming of course

that is what he did.
Even if the guy didn't recognize her that gives her no right to punch him, again, assuming she did it.

[FredScuttle]

102. But she didn't punch him

Even the Capitol Police have changed their story....now they're saying she "poked" the officer, not "punched"

Why would believe anything those lying jackals have to say?

[LisaL]

105. I don't think Capitol Police are changing their story.

I sure haven't heard them describing what exactly she allegedly did to an officer. It has been described as punched, hit, or poked.

[FredScuttle]

107. Here's your entry to the truth

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=817527

A "punch" has morphed into a "poke". God knows what it'll be next since they've seen fit not to release the video

[LisaL]

114. And in the original article, it says she struck him with a cell phone.

Which certainly doesn't answer what it is she allegedly did.

[FredScuttle]

118. The original article

and where, prey tell, did the original report come from.....a GOP Congressional aide, perhaps?

Congratulations...you're doing their work for them.

[LisaL]

120. I am not doing any work for anyone. I have no idea why

you would latch onto something you like, and then claim that's what happened, when in fact the incident has been described in many different ways.
Just cause you find one description better than the other, doesn't make it so.

[FredScuttle]

123. You're doing their work and you don't even know it

Bless you...you are the most naive of lambs

I'm not claiming anything....I'm going by the ever-changing reports by the Capitol Police of what happened. First, it was a "Punch"....now, it's a "Poke"? Why don't they release the tape and quell all the speculation?

[LisaL]

129. For all I know, they are saving it for trial.

[FredScuttle]

130. Good for you

you are doing the Lord's work...and by that I mean the Republican Lord's work

[ShortnFiery]

174. The Capitol Hill police are charged to Identify by Sight EVERY

Member of congress for Heaven's sake!

Unbridled authority will give us a police state. This officer FAILED and assaulted a congresswoman but in BushWorld anyone who's liberal and especially black while legislating is a fair target not only to political operatives but THUG tactics of ignorant police officers.

[LisaL]

117. She looks very different with a different hairstyle.

The fact that this police officer did not recognize her, does not give her the right to poke him or punch him.

[FredScuttle]

125. So, the black folks should stick to the bone-straight style, huh boss?

Yessum....caint be makin those good white folk confuse us all.....what you say, Uncle Ruckus?

Seriously....if radical hairstyles warranted special attention, why wasn't this prick stopped everytime?



or maybe this fashion victim:

[LisaL]

127. She can wear her hair WTF way she likes.

She should also put on her ID when going through the checkpoint. I have no clue why she has such an objection to having an ID on.

[FredScuttle]

131. Curious why you're so hung up on the ID

Does Dumbya have to have his pin as he walks though a security checkpoint?

[TheVirginian]

135. That's a really stupid point

The President of the United States is probably the most visible person in the world. One member of a 535-person body is not.

[FredScuttle]

136. I thought the argument was nobody's above the law?

Or does that exempt middle-aged white politicians?

And, for your edificiation, I'm talking about one of 14 black Congresswomen.

[TheVirginian]

138. No, you're talking about one of 535 Congressmen

When it comes to facial recognition, race has nothing to do with it. If there are 535 Congressmen, 14 of whom are black and female, I wouldn't be more inclined to memorize their faces than any one of the other 521 faces.

At any rate, if there is a long line in security with only two officers at the door (as if often the case at a House office building), and all you see is the side/back of someone as they walk pass the metal detectors, it really doesn't matter.

[Lars39]

150. Interns at age 16 have to know faces and positions held.

Why do the Capitol Police have a lower standard?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

169. Are you joking?

I worked on the Hill for a few years - I couldn't recognize the vast majority of the Congressmen. And no one ever told me to "know faces and positions held". Where do you get that bullshit?

[Lars39]

173. McKinney's own words from yesterday.

My BIL was an intern and expected to know everyone.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

175. Well, McKinney's words are incorrect.

And if your BIL was forced to do that as an intern, he was in the minority. I don't know ANYONE who was forced to do that.

[Lars39]

180. Maybe you were the minority by not having to.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

182. No, I wasn't.

Believe it or not, I wasn't exactly on a island on the Hill. I had quite a few friends up there, on both sides of the aisle, and not a single one of them had to do that.

[Lars39]

191. Let's see...anonymous internet post versus very public staement...

Doesn't stack up. Why are you toting RW water?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

196. It's not right-wing water.

And I'm not anonymous - I've met plenty of DUers who know my real identity and what I do for a living. And further, that "very public statement" was by someone trying to cover her own ass. Shall we get into the long, long history of very public statements by politicians trying to cover their asses that don't work out to be true in the end?

[ShortnFiery]

200. Then a "Blue Dog" democrat you must be ...

There are corrupt cops. The vast majority are honest the the bad ones are dangerous.

No, I despise un-checked authority.

These officers are tasked with KNOWING BY SIGHT each member of congress.

Since THIS officer can NOT do his job, he should not hold this position.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

205. No, I'm not a blue dog at all.

I was working for one of the top 5 most liberal Members of Congress at the time. Assuming gets you nowhere in life.

Again, please site a source where the guards are supposed to know what Congresspeople look like. If that were the case, please explain to me why proper protocol asks Members of Congress to wear lapel pins.

[ShortnFiery]

208. Yes, state a "supposed experience" that cannot be proven ...

You are not lacking in intelligence but NO, I do not believe you.

I live in the D.C. Area and I have my connections also.

I'm not going to tout my background because, as an anti-ultra-authoritarian, bragging and one-upsmanship is not part of my arguments.

I do find it amusing that you - all of a sudden - state that YOU KNOW what the Capitol Hill Police Force are supposed to know.

Hum? A check point into CONGRESS. Oh sure, the tasking of knowing each Member of Congress doesn't make any sense whatsoever. :sarcasm:

Give it up! No matter how important you try to make your position, most folks, I hope, are intelligent enough to NOT buy into such a fantastic story.

Peace!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

That's funny.

You seem to be making all the statements about how it's their job to know every Member of Congress by sight. I was merely refuting your ridiculous statement. Yet I'm the one who "all of a sudden" knows what's going on? Do you even listen to yourself?

Again, there are people on DU know who I am and what I do. You can believe it or disbelieve it, I quite frankly don't care. But you're the one making all of these statements about the proper protocol and what should have been done, yet you can't back that up at all with any kind of evidence. You made the original claims, I called bullshit, you can't prove yourself. If people still want to believe you, fine, they're free to do so, but they're doing it based on absolutely nothing in the way of evidence.

[ShortnFiery]

212. Guess you are the real deal? - self delete

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

215. Let's weigh the facts here, shall we?

You have under 400 posts, and presumably have not been here very long. Not a single person on DU knows who you are or what you do.

I have over 13,000 posts, have been here for quite a long time, have met many DUers in real life whom know exactly what it is I do. Hell, I've even posted my picture in the gallery. My identity is not a secret.

While that alone doesn't make me right or you wrong on the facts, somehow, your pointing the freeper stick at me doesn't seem to resonate very well.

[ShortnFiery]

223. I'm sorry I doubted your background ... Life's way too short to

continue to snipe needless at each other.

Congratulations, against me, you can say that "you won."

I only care about Congresswoman McKinney not being smeared by a racist Right Wing jerks who, no matter the facts - which will never be known unvarnished - they will push her out.

I respect her and admire her courage beyond words.

You can be right but I will work to support this beautiful Congresswoman.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

230. I respect and admire her as well.

I don't blame you for supporter her at all. I do too. Support shouldn't be blind though. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Capitol Police are not tools of the Republican party though. They "assaulted" Rep. C.W. Bill Young's wife during the State of the Union. He raised bloody hell, but he still didn't get anywhere. And Bill Young is as powerful as they get!

[ShortnFiery]

248. With respect for your knowledge and background ...

I am having a very difficult time believing that you have any respect nor admiration for Ms. McKinney.

I was raised "right is right" and "wrong is wrong" too. However, please note that if there is no video, the unvarnished truth will not ever be know.

But I do know, whatever the facts, the right wing "swift boat" smear campaigns have begun.

I guess we come at this issue from different perspectives because all I know now for a fact, is that the right wing religious zealots are going to do their best to destroy Congresswoman McKinney.

You say that you also admire and respect her, and yes, I must accept your claims. But forgive me, I just have a very hard time understanding your posts above.

[Sterling]

242. When I was a paige I had to know who people were.

Maybe it's changed. I worked for a congress person for a while and I don't remember a id pin or him every getting hassled by the Cap Hill Cops.

[ShortnFiery]

161. No, they are charged to recognize BY SIGHT all members of Congress

People do NOT AS READILY recognize the facial characteristics of races OTHER than their own. Many social science studies confirm the above statement. That's why this Capitol Hill Police Officer NEEDS refresher courses in this area. No, they don't all look alike! (people of races other than your own)

If Our Congressional Pages can recognize ALL Congress Persons ON SIGHT, it's not a TOUGH task to require the same standard from our Capitol Hill Police Officer. Through THAT check point - in THAT particular area, is the locale where the Capitol Hill Police are charged to protect <drum roll> CONGRESS!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

170. Site a source.

Pages don't know shit.

[ShortnFiery]

176. How kind of you ... they must pass a test ... and I'm sure their

parents do not appreciate that nasty dig. Oh but the Authority Figure Cop is "all powerful" because we vil B GOOD GERMANS of the Bush Reich?

NOPE, I don't appreciate thuggery. To those ham-handed right wing, criminal cops - I give you a more tasteful "Scalia" jesture: Eat Me! LOL

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

178. Again, site a source.

I'm calling you on your bullshit. I've worked on the Hill. Recently. Not a single word of what you said is true, so I want you to site sources. Tangible sources. Not just your brother-in-law or your drycleaner.

[ShortnFiery]

201. Their "Tasking" at THAT site is to protect congress members.

Man what does it take for you to stop spouting "love Big Brother" meme?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

207. Site a source.

You don't seem to be able to, yet you keep insisting that you're right. Well, prove it. Site a source.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

166. Believe it or not...

there are a lot of non-Representative black people that walk around the halls of Congress.

[ShortnFiery]

188. Then the WHITE police officers who are charged to protect

SPECIFICALLY the Congresspersons, not those people of color who are given passes, should make the extra effort to recongnize the facial characteristics of people of color. Did you not note that that is part of THEIR JOB? ---> To PROTECT congress not ASSAULT them.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

192. They're protecting more than just Congresspeople.

And further, they're mostly black or latino officers on the Hill, not white.

And finally, it's NOT THEIR JOB to recognize Congresspeople. That's why they're supposed to wear lapel pins. In fact, they're in violation of their job to just let them through if they're not wearing them.

I'm amazed that you continue to argue when you have not a single point of fact.

[ShortnFiery]

204. Hello, it IS THEIR JOB to recognize all congress members

PARTICULARLY AT THAT SITE.

You can claim to know and rub elbows with white congress members all you want but you will NOT brow beat me into submitting to YOUR lies.

But submitting is what Authority Figures really "get off" on.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

206. Again, site a source.

It's flat out wrong that Capitol Police are supposed to recognize MCs. Explain to me why MCs are asked to wear lapel pins if everyone's just supposed to know who they are anyway. Seems a bit redundant to me.

[ShortnFiery]

209. CNN - statement by McKinney's Lawyer and my background (can't be proven)

You are just playing ONE note.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

211. And you don't consider her to be biased at all in this?

Should we get into statements by other politicians and lawyers trying to cover their asses that turned out to be factually incorrect? Hell, you could make a set of encyclopedias on the topic.

[ShortnFiery]

218. Mahn! We are BOTH quite - A piece of work ...

I respectfully choose to "stop the bleeding" as we're inappropriately getting into personalities and that is not productive.

I wish you the best albeit you are WRONG! LOL <TEASE>

I must go now ... I sincerely hope you have a good day! :hugs to all at DU:

[ShortnFiery]

156. There are only 14 African American Congresswomen ...

And the irony is not lost on me that the area she was entering was THE PLACE where the Capitol Hill Police are charged to protect ... anyone? Yes! Congress. She's served over 5 terms and even 16 year old Congressional Pages are required to memorize *every* member of congress on sight. Hairstyles change, but facial characteristics do NOT. ;)

[DrGonzoLives]

153. No, he has these people with him called "Secret Service"

n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

165. Probably one of the most racist things I've heard on this site. (nt)

[ShortnFiery]

183. Nope! I can top that ...

"Oh forgives me officer for not having my Pin and Picture IDs coming out of every orifice. For I'm just a little ole black woman with nappy hair. Yes Sir, I'll get me a scarf to pull it back and come through the servant's entrance from now on. Oh, while I'm down here on the floor, can I shine your shoes? Sir, Officer, yes-sir masTar. I should know better than believe although I've served FIVE (5) terms in Congress and there's only 14 Black Congresswoman, that YOU Sir, should recognize my ugly black ass." :sarcasm:

[ShortnFiery]

164. NO, they are instructed to study the congressperson's FACIAL

characteristics. Our country would be in "a world of hurt" security wise if our Officers depended on hairstyle to recognize members of Congress.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

167. Really? They're instructed to do that?

Can you site a source there?

[ShortnFiery]

210. I did above ... that ONE NOTE is growing old

When your arguments fall flat you resort into bully-boy tactics. Not very liberal democratic of you dear. :hi:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

213. That one note is a lot more powerful than yours.

You offer nothing in the way of evidence. If I'm being a bully by asking you to support your ridiculous claims, then I'm a bully. But I'm sorry, there's not un-liberal or Democratic about asking someone to back up their statements. In fact, if you just scour pretty much any thread in GD or GD:Politics, pretty much every DUer demands that of the Bush administration. Are you saying DUers aren't liberal or Democratic? Interesting theory, but wrong.

[rman]

142. The ID pin is not the issue, nor is the question

whether or not the cop did his job.

The accusation against McKinney is "assault" of a police officer.

So the issue is, did she assault the officer or not.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

163. Since she hasn't said she didn't hit him...

that's not really an issue either.

[rman]

235. nor did she say that she did hit him

it was more along the lines of "pushed him way from me"

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

237. That's a felony.

Even if you're working on that assumption, that's against the law.

[Sterling]

252. So what is the penalty for grabbing a member of the US House

of reps? That was the first action that started the "touching". Maybe they will both go to jail? I have a feeling this is going no where fast. It's a non offense. Obviously the cop has a big bruise on his ego so he wants to make an issue of this. It is hard to imagine he actually suffered any injury that would award him anything in a civil suit, and McKinney's claim would have at least as much weight in court as his which is almost nothing.

The people drooling over Cynthia getting a felony are retarded in terms of knowing how the justice system actually works, at least the criminal JS anyway.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

254. The officer was following protocol.

He asked her three times to stop. She did not. If you'd like to illuminate how else an officer is supposed to enforce the law when someone ignores it, please do so.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

162. I'm with you.

I don't know how you get around the fact that she was inviolation of the law when she tried to bypass metal detectors without wearing her congressional pin. Then she was in violation when she wouldn't stop.

Whether or not it's legit that the officer didn't notice her is irrelevant. He said he didn't recognize her and asked her to go through detectors, a process which takes under a minute. She failed to do that. What was he supposed to do?

Further, people are making it out like he hit her with a friggin nightstick. He grabbed her arm. You want to talk about overreaction? I certainly immediately hit someone when they grab my arm, ESPECIALLY in a place like that.

I think this has become :tinfoilhat: central.

[not systems]

93. The state has usurped the power of the representatives of the people...

again.

The administrative state can do what it wants...

Depressing.

[glitch]

100. Very. nt

[NaturalHigh]

137. I wouldn't care if he had handcuffed and detained her...

while he determined who she was. If one of us had hit (or poked or whatever) a cop, you can bet that we would have been on the floor. I don't understand why so many people want this woman to be treated like she is above the law.

[rman]

143. It still remains to be seen if she punched, poked, "assaulted"

the officer - not jumping to conclusions, because of lack of evidence, is not the same thing as wanting McKinney to be above the law.

[rfkrfk]

144. battery of a police officer, is a felony or misdemeanor?

was the officer struck?, by CM's cell phone
{assuming it was thrown}

[ShortnFiery]

154. Yes, even when a cop is beating the shit out of you ...

we should all look up and say, "Yes sir, may I have another!"

And Damn her to Hell for not wearing her PLEDGE (congressional) PIN!



BTW was I asleep when we began this love affair with Authority Figures? Part of being a Good and Patriotic American is questioning UNBRIDLED AUTHORITY.




On Edit: No I don't hate cops. The Police officer who resides two houses over to ours is one of the nicest people one would care to meet. Very diplomatic and understated but I can tell he has the capacity to "take charge" of a situation to prevent the commission of a crime. I've been honored to know many more "good cops" than bad. But the "BAD Cops" are horrid - and they are tripping out on THIER power over us little people.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

171. Grabbing an arm is "beating the shit out of you"?

Hyperbole much?

[ShortnFiery]

179. Oh, grabbing someone from behind?

No it's not beating the shit out of you but it seems that SUCH BEHAVIOR would be A OK by those who ORGASM for Authority Figures.

"Take off that disgusting pledge Pin!"

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

181. Call me crazy...

but I think cops grabbed people's arms from behind under Clinton too. It's probably the LEAST intrusive thing a cop can do to get someone to stop who refuses to do so.

[ShortnFiery]

184. Well, we disagree, especially in an area where there are many

diplomats and dignitaries of all races. The vast majority of PROFESSIONAL Police Officers would have taken three extra steps to station themselves in front of the person of question. Make a scene then will easily get the job done without ASSAULTING A CONGRESSWOMAN. The white officer saw big hair and immediately acted on his stereotype - wrong.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

186. What other steps would have been taken?

Illuminate them for me.

The officer asked several times, before she decided to ignore them and walk through anyway. So at the point where she was walking down the hall, in complete violation of protocol and after having been asking several times politely to stop, what, exactly, would a professional police officer have done? Asked again, only to be ignored again?

[ShortnFiery]

187. Again, He Could have stood in front of her, he could have made

a bigger scene. No, I find it "suspicious" that a 5 term congresswoman is not recognized. Perhaps this officer is not bright enough to work in such a capacity?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

189. Again, I've been with much more veteran Congresspeople that aren't

recognized. They've been asked to stop. They were white males.

It isn't the cop that isn't the bright one here.

[ShortnFiery]

197. I'm having a difficult time believing THAT claim ... get real, please?

I am having my doubts about that. Did the FIVE, I repeat FIVE term African American Congresswoman breeze past your sensibilities? You love the fact that we should all lock step and be good American Sheeple. All our little bratty kids should wear uniforms. I'm not sure where that notion came from because narration of the program was "in GERMAN."

Hey, we disagree, nothing we can say from now on will convince the other.

Peace!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

198. Okay, in 2002, I walked with Dick Gephardt through the detectors.

And he was asked to stop because they did not recognize the minority leader and Presidential candidate.

Is that real enough for you?

[ShortnFiery]

214. You must really LOATHE McKinney?

Rest is self-deleted

[mondo joe]

216. Please stop badmouthing your fellow DU poster who has been

nothing but civil.

[ShortnFiery]

219. As you, Mondo Joe have been very uncivil ... way to pile on!

[mondo joe]

221. Again, please address the issue instead of insulting DUers.

We can disagree civilly.

[ShortnFiery]

222. In another thread where you hold the same attacks against McKinney

you attacked me shamelessly ... comparing a previous statement to that moonbat Tom Cruise. It goes both ways you know?

[mondo joe]

224. I'm tired of seeing DU divided by a few people who seem unable

to handle disagreeing without stooping to impugn the motives or interests of their fellow DUers.

I'll ask you once more to please stop making things up and insulting other posters.

[ShortnFiery]

228. I'm sorry, but it seems that you only want to bolster the negative

arguments against McKinney. Honestly, I am wrong to doubt your good-will toward other democrats but I must ask, what is motivating your support of, IMO, unbridled Police Authority?

We must have grown up in different worlds. That's all I can fathom. But yes, I don't understand you at all BUT we all should show goodwill toward one another.

You have sinned (personal attacks) too, but you're point is well taken.

[mondo joe]

240. Yes, you are wrong to do so.

I have never in my life supported unbridled police authority. That's just another fabrication of yours.

We should operate in good faith - not impugn each other just because we disagree, or falsely attribute beliefs or positions.

[ShortnFiery]

250. Please, you did support the "cop is always right" argument

in another thread. I guess it is just a fact that you will not forgive me for expressing my opinion. It is only you who claim that I have no respect for your person. Please stop stating such an untruth?

[mondo joe]

253. I've never said such a thing in my entire life. Please cite the

post.

I will not forgive you for slandering me, or anyone else.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

217. Why isn't it a good idea?

Other DUers know who I am. I've been to protests and DU meet-ups. I've shaken Skinner's hand. Hell, I work down the street from the man. What, is someone going to come and get me or something? Do you have any clue what you're talking about at all?

[Sterling]

244. So your point is that the Cap Hill cops really are incompetent?

Makes sense, most of those they are protecting are under qualified as well. Its sad. We really should have cops that are smart enough to know who they are protecting. Civics is not popular in the US so it makes sense even when given the job of protecting the government some people just treat it like another job to loaf off on.

[rfkrfk]

177. is CM claiming self-defence? .n/t

[ShortnFiery]

158. She is not above the law, but THE LAW is charged to protect

CONGRESS in that particular area. Get the irony? There's only 14 African American Congresswomen. This Capitol Hill Police Officer is THE ONE who should be charged with assault.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

185. That's funny you should say that.

Forcing people do go through metal detectors is usually for protecting people. Is this bizarro world where it's not done for protection?

[ShortnFiery]

190. Those police officers are charged to ...

PROTECT our MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. Metal detectors or not, this officer's failure to not recognize a FIVE term African American Congresswoman is just wrong. He should be beating feet on the street looking for a new job. Unlike some here, I do not appreciate such needless thuggery especially when it ends up in the assault of a congresswoman.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

195. No, it's not.

Their job is to protect, not to recognize people.

[ShortnFiery]

199. There job at THAT checkpoint was to protect Congress MEMBERS n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

202. And just letting anyone in based on their word is protection now?

Are you even listening to yourself?

Even if, in THEORY, he should have known who she was and made an honest mistake, he was doing his job properly. What? We shouldn't be erring on the side of security now? If he wasn't sure if someone else who wasn't a Congressperson was or wasn't one and he just let them walk through, THEN he wouldn't be doing his job. THEN he would've gotten fired.

[Sterling]

251. You would think given the task of protecting our government

they would actually want to know who these people are and what they look like? You post as though we are talking about campus security here or a walmart detective. You don't see where knowing who the leaders of our government are is crucial to doing security for the place they work?

I don't believe that, if true you would be a horrible cop/ security manager.

[NaturalHigh]

229. Why would the officer be charged for doing his job?

Yes, the Capitol Hill police are to protect Congress inside the building. That means not letting anyone in who's not supposed to be there. By determining her identity, he WAS doing his job and protecting Congress.

[cleofus1]

145. how can you not love her

and i would recognize her anywhere!

[ShortnFiery]

149. I feel the same ... Unfortuantely the morAns of the religious right wing

consider her a THOUGHT CRIMINAL.

[slackmaster]

203. Her association with Louis Farrakhan is enough reason for me

:hi:

[stepnw1f]

193. GOP Lynching a Dem

or trying to...

[goclark]

233. Looks like a few "sitting by the bridge" little munchkins

are trying to do their mighty best to Lynch her too.

Delighted to see that most of us are trying to understand Racial Profiling and a Set up when we see it.

As an African American, I must admit that it must be mighty hard to see it from the eyes of my people. For more than a hundred years we have SEEN and LIVED the experience so we know when someone is being hung by a tree for not wearing a PIN or having a new hairstyle. We see right through it, immediately!


As much as Cynthia McKinney has been on TV and is known for her no nonsense manner, there is no way that you can tell me that they don't know that they should ALWAYS keep a mental picture of her FACE!

Her FACE, her walk, her smile, her attitude, her height, her sassy way that gave her enough courage to STAND alone and tell the WORLD that there were no WMD and that this Administration is composed of a bunch of LAW BREAKERS that KILL innocent people....there is no way that anyone can tell me they didn't know her.

Donald Trump would have FIRED that police officer on the spot!

But instead,this police officer will get a nice new little "gift"/promotion in about 5 months ~ compliments of some little munchkin LAW BREAKERS.

[SOS]

234. The two high-profile Capitol arrests of late

are Cindy Sheehan (for the crime of wearing an anti-war t-shirt) and now possibly Cynthia McKinney.
Is there a special holding cell for people who disagree with Bush's invasion of Iraq?

[OKNancy]

255. Time for a lock

Too many flames and personal attacks. Additionally there are newer stories available on this subject.