Wkipedia says McKinney involved in 4 altercations with Capital police

[Generic Other]

Am I the only one who remembers McKinney being accused of assaulting a police officer last year? And that the capital police dropped the charges?
Isn't 4 "incidents" a bit excessive? Seems like she is targeted awfully frequently. Are other Congresswomen subjected to such treatment?

<snip>

After an incident in 1993 when she had an altercation with an United States Capital Police officer, a picture of her was posted for all officers since she refuses to wear a security pin identifying her as a member of Congress. There have been four more incidents since, including one involving a complaint that White House security officials mistook her 23-year-old white aide for her. <5> <6>

On the morning of March 29, 2006, McKinney allegedly struck a United States Capitol Police officer with her cell phone after he allegedly grabbed her arm as she went around the metal detectors at the entrance to the Longworth House Office Building. Members of Congress have identifying lapel pins and are not required to pass through metal detectors. McKinney says she was not wearing her pin that morning, but did show her Congressional identification badge and that the police responsible for protecting lawmakers should recognize them on sight. The incident is currently under investigation. According to reports, the police officer is planning to file charges. McKinney was thought to have been possibly arrested once the Congress adjourned for the day, but no charges have yet to be filed. McKinney's attorney, James Myart spoke in a March 31 news conference, said he will also ask that the officer involved be criminally investigated for inappropriately touching the congresswomen. Myart went on to say the case typified a pattern of police harassment of black Americans. "My belief is this is no different than that: 'they all look alike'. <7> McKinney made a brief statement on her behalf in Howard University on March 31: "Let me be clear, this whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman. I deeply regret this incident occurred, and I am certain that after a full review of the facts, I will be exonerated."

<snip>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_McKinney

[SPKrazy]

1. If This Entry Is True

then no one should be surprised that she has problems. She "refuses" to wear her security pin?

[TrueAmerican]

5. Excellent point

Seems like she's taunting the security guards.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

46. She wears her Congressional ID...what else is necessary?.....

...McKinney is one of fourteen black female Members of Congress...how hard is it to learn how to recognize her?

Her "security pin"?? What the heck is that? Is that the tiny little lapel pin that some Members of Congress wear? How close do you have to be to be able to read what it says?

[NMMNG]

140. But she doesn't *wear* her badge

She only showed it to the officer, he stopped her, and after she assaulted him.


McKinney says she was not wearing her pin that morning, but did show her Congressional identification badge

[oasis]

95. The guards should know her mug better than they do their own supervisor.

The loose cannon cop choose to challenge her anyway.

[chicofaraby]

101. Exactly. Of COURSE they know her.

It's just another nut with a badge who wants to tell people what to do.

Coaches, cops and army men. Freakin head cases...

[mondo joe]

105. Who makes the rules that lets Congresspeople pass by the metal detectors

with just a certain pin?

Who decided there should be the metal detectors there at all?

[oasis]

109. Are you saying that the cop didn't recognize her?

[mondo joe]

111. I don't know if he did or not. But I do know they are all supposed to

wear a particular pin to bypass the detector.

I wasn't addressing whether he did or didn't recognize her, since I can't know that. I'm addressing the suggestion that the pin shouldn't have to be worn, and asking who determined they SHOULD be worn.

[oasis]

113. If the cop recognized her, he was supposed to let her pass.

That's his damn job. He most likely did recognize her, but choose to be an asshole.

[mondo joe]

115. Here's the deal: I don't know if he recognized her or not.

I don't know if he was new, if he was incompetent, if he didn't recognize her after she changed her hair, if he looked away for a moment and missed her face, if he's the biggest asshole on the planet or not.

What I do know is that Congresspersons have a particular pin to wear to bypass the detectors.

If they're to be recognized by face, I don't see the need for the pin. If the pin is considered necessary enough to wear as to be the rule, I don't know why it shouldn't be worn.

[slaveplanet]

118. The congress makes the rules

The agencies put them in place
The employees man them


The congresswoman cannot be subordinate to the agency, let alone the employee. Any more than a general can be subordinate to a private.

He had no right to put his hands on her with force.

[mondo joe]

128. If Congress makes the rules shouldn'tthe Congress person

abide by them?

[jsamuel]

2. thanks for the info

[TrueAmerican]

3. Looks like she's playing games

"picture of her was posted for all officers since she refuses to wear a security pin identifying her as a member of Congress"

Why does she refuse to wear a security pin??????????????

[Generic Other]

15. Why should she have to be singled out and inconvenienced every time?

It seems like she is being stopped far more often than other Congresspeople. Is it because she is a black woman and doesn't fit the "profile" the guards have been taught to recognize? Probably.

If other members of Congress are routinely allowed to avoid the security checks, then McKinney has every right to do so as well, ID or not. She don't need no steenkin' badges. The police need more training.

[TrueAmerican]

20. Yup she doesn't fit the profile

The guards are looking for people not wearing badges. That is a key clue to them to check them more closely.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

51. How about you getting a "clue" in regards to the fact that she....

...is one of only fourteen black female Members of Congress. How difficult is it to learn how to recognize McKinney? And doesn't that make you think that the guards are looking for something else when they challenge McKinney?

[-..__...]

52. "A CONGRESSIONAL PIN!!!!!! ON YOUR UNIFORM?!?!?!?

I guess this is how McKinney judged the situation...



Just wear the damn pin... it's not like it clashes with your (her), hairstyle.

:eyes:

[Media_Lies_Daily]

67. Why does she need to wear a very small pin when she wears....

...her Congressional ID? What's so difficult about that, especially when she is one of only fourteen black female Members of Congress? How difficult is it for the security people to recognize her?

[-..__...]

73. What's so difficult about putting the pin on?

Quite honestly, this whole issue should be old non-news, but apparently it hasn't

It's becoming an embarrassment and/or joke from both sides.

[timtom]

120. It just could be

a matter of principle.

There is a certain message that is implied with "security gates" and "identifying pins". And it sure as hell doesn't have anything to do with "security"!!

[formernaderite]

129. does she wear the ID....I heard a blip in the news...that she does not

wear the ID nor the pin very often. Some of the police are stationed routinely at the same exits, sometimes shifts are made. I don't know what happened with Mckinney and the cop, but it could be that BOTH were in the wrong, and mistaken.

I'd like to see OUR congressional representatives have to wear ID badges that get scanned. It would be a neat way of checking HOW much work they actually do as well.

[rpgamerd00d]

4. Well, this certainly proves one thing to me...

... If someone isn't wearing a pin, and they bypass security, the cops are gonna nail em.

Go Cops !

:applause:

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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

[rpgamerd00d]

48. I'm sorry, you're right, we should hire cops that let anyone by without ID

:sarcasm:

[Name removed]

76. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dave502d]

7. How did she get by Capital police without her pin before this?n/t

[Rotten]

8. The fact that she has a perpetual chip on her shoulder

may lead to her getting nailed this time.

Perhaps it will teach her a lesson. Then again, she is an idiot.

[countingbluecars]

10. If she does have a chip on her shoulder,

it is probably from dealing with racist idiots.

[Gabi Hayes]

13. heh..you were 'lucky' enough to catch the wisdom

savor it

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. That's what I was thinking too

[Sarah Ibarruri]

45. Why should she be allowed in without a pin and others not? Is she royalty

Absurd to think she deserves special rights others don't get.

[proud2BlibKansan]

60. It was posted here that the cops recognize the congress critters

[Media_Lies_Daily]

63. Really? How many other Members of Congress don't wear...

...their pins? Don't you think it's rather odd that we're not hearing about any of them, especially the GOPers?

The Congressional ID is the only piece of identification necessary to travel about freely in the Congressional buildings...why the feigned fuss about a lapel pin?

[Gabi Hayes]

11. buy BYE

enjoy your brief stay, munch

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Welcome to DU

:hi:

Hopefully you will learn a thing or two during your brief stay.

[daveskilt]

27. she is a lousy congressperson

I wonder If I will get the same enjoy your brief stay crap from ms mckinneys rabidly loyal fans (who I assume would be rabid about getting her booted out of congress if she were a repub doing the same thing)?

[Gabi Hayes]

29. what 'same thing?'

when's the last time you were checked for hydrophobia, btw?

get bit, Yeller!

LOL

[countingbluecars]

31. LOL!

[daveskilt]

34. just saying - I voted for Majette and still think mckinney is a joke

[Media_Lies_Daily]

56. Is that because she still believes in democracy...

..and knows that the official version of 911 is a total farce? Or is it because she questions the NeoCon Junta at every turn?

You're not getting your piece of the government pie, and that makes you upset with McKinney?

Interesting.

[CatWoman]

84. yeah, Majette is doing a great fucking job, isn't she?

Zell Miller's protege at that.

Fuck her.

Cynthia represents her constiuents well.

What did Majette do?

Besides give Zell lap dances?

[TahitiNut]

92. Is THAT what she's doing now?

I gotta wonder if she's as bad at that as she was as a Congresscritter. :shrug:

:silly:

[oasis]

96. Zell's "spitballs" speech has taken on a new meaning.

:evilgrin:

[0007]

97. Never can tell! By the way did you ever see the video about

the Carlyle Group that she was in? You'd changed your mind about her being a lousy congressperson if you would take the time.

[daveskilt]

138. I stand corrected - I am an Idiot.

you know I looked that up and a couple of other things about her over the past year or two - I have to say in many ways I stand corrected she has done a lot of good work - I still have issues with her on some things and was not happy with her when she was my representative - BUT she is a lot better than I had first thought and first said based on what I have been reading.

So to all the folks who have hammered me in this thread and others on this subject I stand corrected. Please feel free to tell me I told you so and kick me on the way out the door.

[Bridget Burke]

122. Those responsible for getting McKinney "booted out of congress"....

Would be her constituents. Gosh--they keep voting for her.

[AllieB]

47. Hi Rotten

Welcome to DU. Why would you call McKinney an idiot? The jury is still out on what really happened with the Capitol Hill police, and she has a great record in Congress.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

61. "Perpetual chip on her shoulder"?? I bet you might have....

...a bit of an attitude if you got death threats almost daily and had to have bodyguards present wherever she goes.

"Then again she is an idiot"?? Wow. Funny, I wouldn't apply that label to somone that has managed to come back from political defeat to become an even larger thorn in the side of the NeoCons.

[niyad]

116. let's see--welcome to DU newcomer. may one inquire as to how you

KNOW that "she has a chip on her shoulder"? a reliable source, please. and on what do you base your "she is an idiot" commment. again, from either first-hand experience or reliable sources.

[Gabi Hayes]

9. wikipedia is OVERLADEN with wingnut activists who spend a lot of

time adding lots of BS to this site

just ask David Abraham

total whitewash of the witchhunt against him, during which right wing ideologues actually went back to the guy's PhD alma mater, and pressured them to RESCIND it

will you find any mention of that on wikipedia?

see for yourself. they play the old deflection tactic, claiming the hunter was the 'hunted'

NEVER trust wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ashby_Turner

[CatWoman]

12. good point, Gabi

:thumbsup:

[Gabi Hayes]

19. this abraham thing blew me away...totally onesided

his career was RUINED by wingnut maniacs who seized upon his admittedly error laden book (NOT dissimilar in that way from other primary sourced works by historians like the one in the piece), and went on a REAL witch hunt

you won't read word one about that there, though

the subject: Hitler's close early ties to German big business!

[beagle72]

17. Wikipedia is the dry erase board of the Web

Wikipedia -- the one where anyone can change anything at any time? Even anonymous users?

It never ceases to amaze me how people cite it as some kind of authoritative source. It could have a different definition for 2+2 tomorrow than today!

[Generic Other]

18. I wouldn't have looked there but I remembered the incident last year

I couldn't find a better link.

Anyone else find one?

[Gabi Hayes]

24. not complaining about your use....it just bugs me that it's somehow

gained any modicum of credibility

it's a good starting point, sometimes, but the sourcing is so often wingnutty that it makes it hard to get both sides, especially on less mundane subjects

[Nutmegger]

21. As far as politics go, Freepers run things at Wiki

I use to edit but these jackasses are all over and will tag every little thing. Take it with a grain of salt folks.

[Scurrilous]

23. Yep...

...check out the history page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cynthia_McKinney&action=history

Lots of activity the last few days. Especially in the 'altercations w/ police' section.

[proud2BlibKansan]

62. Good grief

Talk about a witch hunt.

[bigwillq]

22. Man, I 'm in the mood for popcorn.

:popcorn:

[Gabi Hayes]

25. haaaaaaah!!!!!

great little squiggly you got there

na ga do it myself, tonight, though

[Lostnote06]

28. Politics....is perception......she should either

....bake him a cake or give him a pair of boxing gloves as an expression of live and let live......

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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

[Lostnote06]

81. Hello Gabby....I just saw the brick that you tossed me........

....the helter skelterish tone is youthfully refreshing.....did Bernay get to watch the movie Ghandi?.....I guess the image of cake vs boxing gloves really kicks in the Pavlovian juices.....since BUSH has been posing for a few yrs would not the term post-modern PR techniques be more applicable....

[Name removed]

117. Deleted message

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

[chicofaraby]

30. If her picture is posted

AND she's well known for NOT wearing her pink triangle, er, security pin, then why was this "cop" grabbing her? It was either incompetence or harrassment.

[SPKrazy]

33. Didn't She Get A New Hairdo?

maybe that explains it?

I saw a pic of her and her hair looked a lot different as did she.

I couldn't say that I would have recognized her.

And are the security guards supposed to all recognize all 435 members of congress?

And why won't she wear her security pin?

Answer all these questions, then maybe I'll understand why there is such rabid defense of her, and anyone who suggests anything else is labeled freeper or worse.

[chicofaraby]

36. It's a hairdo, not plastic surgery.

If it is your job to recognize members of congress, you would do your job.

I have no idea why she won't wear the pink triangle, but I admire that. I feel sorry for people who have to wear name badges at work. That's one more reason I am self-employed.

[SPKrazy]

39. It's A Security Lapel

and we are her employers and she works in a place that requires high levels of security.

pink triangle, are you trying to be funny?

you aren't succeeding

[chicofaraby]

42. Great, If I'm her employer

she is excused from wearing the pink triangle.

[SPKrazy]

54. Cute

you can excuse her, but I won't

so our votes cancel each other out

[chicofaraby]

58. I have a problem with this phoney "security" crapola

It's just another way to raise the unjustified fear level in this country.

"9-11 changed everything" is bullsh*t. I went to work on 9-10, 9-11 and on 9-12.

[Kingshakabobo]

77. Security was tightened before 9/11 when some kook shot the place up.

[Bridget Burke]

125. In 1998 a "paranoid schizophrenic" killed 2 Capitol policemen....

At an emotional news conference Saturday afternoon, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay called the slain policemen -- officer Jacob Chestnut, 58, and Special Agent John Gibson, 42 -- "true heroes, American heroes."

After allegedly first shooting Chestnut in the head with a handgun, Weston then allegedly barged into DeLay's office inside the Capitol, where he and Gibson exchanged gunfire while DeLay and members of his staff took refuge in a bathroom.

www.cnn.com/US/9807/25/capitol.shooting.04/

Yes, they died to save Tom DeLay. (I.Must.Not.Think.Bad.Thoughts.)

[SPKrazy]

79. Security Was Tight In The 90's At The Capitol

I was there in the mid 90's and there was a lot of Capitol Hill Police presence

[0007]

98. I thought it was a gas!

[Gabi Hayes]

37. rabid?

arf! interesting that the same pejorative descriptions start turning up all of a sudden

you reveal yourself with words like that

you also reveal your ignorance of basic facts, like this:

the number of African American women in congress; not very close to 535

the FACT that they have her PICTURE posted, so that EXACTLY this sort of thing doesn't happen AGAIN and AGAIN

wonder why it still keeps happening, despite their having posted her picture since 1993!
but you knew that, didn't you, genius?

amazing

[Psephos]

38. Whatever your opinion, calling other DUers names sux

It's also an explicit violation of DU posting policy against ad hominem attacks.

Try rephrasing your arguments in a way that avoids this, please. In my opinion, resort to namecalling is used when the argument itself is too weak to punch for itself.

Some people think McKinney is a victim because of her skin, others think she's created her problems by not wearing her ID. Both opinions can be found reasonable without requiring us to insult those with whom we differ.

Peace.

[Gabi Hayes]

41. hahahah!!!!!

too funny!

I called that person a genius!

thank you

thank you very much

that person characterized DUers as rabid?

does that bother you?

doesn't appear to, does it?

you don't like the way I presented some easily found facts?

I don't like DUers to be called rabid

I didn't see you upbraiding the other poster about that. now, tell me, why might that be?

peace

[SPKrazy]

44. Thank You

I wish I could express myself as straightforwardly as you did with this issue.

I don't know what the answer is.

Yesterday there was a thread saying that anyone who thought she was guilty was a "freeper"

And I think that anyone who defends her without knowing the facts is a Kool Aid drinker

I don't know if she is guilty, I've stated the facts that she changed her hair, quite a dramatic change, and she refuses to wear her security lapel pin.

Me thinks she is asking for something, what I don't know.

And the people yelling "racism" could be right, but that is making the assumption that all Capitol Hill Police are white, racist bastards. I recall seeing quite a diverse mix of uniformed officers at the Capitol when I visited.

[Gabi Hayes]

50. just saw this post....trying to calm down

you and another poster used the word rabid to describe both CM and her defenders

ya think it might tend to raise hackles

I have not used any sort of racial defense for McKinney...ever, and I hate it when that happens, outside other context. in this case, who knows. point IS she should be MUCH EASIER to identify than your typical congressperson! there are fourteen of her; that's all

sorry if I got all POd, but she is the ONLY member of congress who's trying to get to the bottom of things like 911, and her own party abandons her, sends candidates to run AGAINST her, no less

so...I apologize

but the thing that gets me more than anything else are these smug pontificators who vilify her without having access to facts that will only reveal themselves under the legal microscope, and my guess is, the 'crazed, rabid McKinney' meme having been planted, there will be NO charges, no retractions from the M$M

that's the way it works

again, sorry for the eruption

time for a break

[Media_Lies_Daily]

57. Maybe you should also apply that to the posters who claim....

...that participants with an opposing opinion are "rabid", or need to "get a clue".

Works both ways, and I would hope that you meant to aply your comments to ALL the participants in this thread.

[Psephos]

66. I do. The ad hominem rules help us all, regardless of opinion.

Discussion is impossible when the argument becomes personal.

Peace.

[SPKrazy]

85. I Checked, I Was The Third To Make A "Rabid" Reference

and the poster that made it first was not me either.

[SPKrazy]

40. Hey, Calm Down

you brought up the hydrophobic reference in an earlier post I believe: from #29
"when's the last time you were checked for hydrophobia, btw?

get bit, Yeller!

LOL"


:rofl:

Genius!

:rofl:

you give yourself away

:rofl:

[Gabi Hayes]

43. guess you missed the post to which it was directed, genius

did you see that?

it used the same R word you did

nice try, but people here can do this thing called READING!

also, you didn't answer any of my other questions

wonder why not

why do you hate america?

[SPKrazy]

49. Now I Think You Are Maybe Just Tired

calm down


and have a good life!

My thesis is this:

she doesn't wear her security lapel pin.

she has been stopped before.

she changed her hair and it changed her look dramatically.

and your charges or insinuations that this is racism, just don't fly without more evidence.

in fact, defending her "rabidly" is without need. she hasn't been charged with anything yet.
and even then, without knowing the facts, how is your defending her any different than someone accusing her of being guilty.

I haven't accused her of anything that isn't stated in this article.


edited for content after reading your other post

BTW, I don't think I called CM rabid

[Gabi Hayes]

53. whoaaa...I just apologized...taking it BACK

show me where I 'insinuated' any racism. I deal with that in my 'apology'

stop using ad hominems, and learn some facts about the case before you spout off again, unless you were there, AND know the details of how they've treated her before

and put down the pipe

jesus

[SPKrazy]

55. Are We Going To Go To Bed Mad?

I changed my post after reading your "apology"

I don't smoke anything.

Maybe you didn't personally insinuate racism, I'd have to go back and look

I didn't call CM rabid either

[Karenina]

71. This is not about hairstyles.

"I saw a pic of her and her hair looked a lot different as did she."

Her body type, physical demeanor, style of dress and voice did not change.

"I couldn't say that I would have recognized her."

Nor is your job to do so. It IS the job of security personnel to be OBSERVANT, paying close attention to visual and aural detail, mannerisms, etc. They are there, first and foremost, to PROTECT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

"And are the security guards supposed to all recognize all 435 members of congress?"

You're being disingenuous, but the answer is YES. THAT'S THEIR JOB. I've heard nothing about how many guards are on duty simultaneously.
The thing I find so intellectually dishonest in this particular inquiry is that Rep. McKinney is HIGH PROFILE and EASILY RECOGNIZABLE. From her voice to her smile to her style, her very presence in those hallowed halls is NEVER GOES UNNOTICED. She's been a regular for quite some years now. She has pissed off some very top-of-the-feeding-chain-type paunchy, balding rich white men, calling them on their LIES to the American people. The guards ALL know EXACTLY who she is. YES, THEY DO.

"And why won't she wear her security pin?"

The security pin is NOT an issue but certainly provides fodder for those who would delight in searching her bag to check for wayward paper clips. Lotsa Congresscritters are lax about wearing them. They EXPECT to be recognized and they are. When you understand that, then maybe you'll understand why there is such "rabid" defense of her.

And I think that anyone who defends that pig who grabbed her or the members of the press who are currently smearing her in the face of the facts that
a) THERE IS TAPE
b) IT WILL NOT BE RELEASED

is a Kool Aid drinker.

[SPKrazy]

80. Blah Blah Blah

I'm sorry, but I think my questions are valid and i don't believe that you answered them with anything but your opinion and rhetoric.

Personally I'd rather focus on getting rid of my "congress critter" John Boozman (R) from Arkansas

and McKinney in my opinion is just too out there to take seriously

[Karenina]

82. There ya go.

:thumbsup:

[SPKrazy]

83. Intellectually Dishonest

so you call me a liar

and you expect anything but blah blah blah?

think again

[Karenina]

136. I expect NOTHING from

Kool-Aid junkies. Is that raspberry or cherry?

[mondo joe]

90. If they are supposed to memorize all the faces, why are the pins and

badges required?

[Karenina]

135. Ms. McKinney was wearing her badge.

Lotsa Congresscritters were NOT wearing their pins on the day in question.

[SPKrazy]

132. Here's Some Pics Of Before And After

before


after

I might have had trouble recognizing her

[Generic Other]

35. I don't blame her for being angry

It's always her they "don't recognize." Invisible except when suspect.

[nofurylike]

75. "Invisible except when suspect." yes!!! aaaiieee!!! perfectly said. eom

[mondo joe]

93. If a 13 year old (at least) photo of her is posted in an office somewhere,

what I'd like to know is why are there special pins to bypass the checkpoint IF they are all supposed to be recognized by face.

[qanda]

59. I wonder what this is all about

I wonder if this incident had involved Hillary Clinton or Barbara Boxer how it would have been viewed on DU. I think we could get a glimpse from how the Teresa Heinz-Kerry incident with the reporter was covered to get a clue. I wonder if people on DU would be honest with themselves and know that their views *are* clouded by color. I wonder why Cynthina McKinney is not given the benefit of the doubt around here. I just really wonder.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

65. Personally speaking, I think we've gotten a lot of....

...new visitors lately...several of them in this thread. IMHO, I don't think they have the same agenda as most do here at DU.

[Lars39]

69. ...

I think there's a sock involved.

[nofurylike]

70. very well said, thank you qanda!! eom

[mitchtv]

86. They KNOW who she is, as well

That they should lay hands on her (Rep McKinney), seems a bit much for me. He probably hurt her.

[SPKrazy]

87. Wonder Away!

It seems like she gets more than the benefit of the doubt here

if you question the fact that she might not have been treated differently, you are attacked, labeled racist, or freeper, or just attacked.

I personally don't like, never have liked, Cynthia McKinney. I think she is an attention seeker, and comes across in a way that is designed only to appeal to her constituents (which is what any congress critter does) I don't have to like them just because they have a D by their name.

Oh, and there are white congress critters I don't like either: Mark Pryor D, Senator from Arkansas, Blanche Lincoln D Senator from Arkansas to name two.

I don't like my Representative because he is an asshole who happens also to be an R.

So wonder away, flame away, do what you gotta do!

[nofurylike]

64. THANK YOU, Generic Other, and all who GET IT!! as for the others, is

why i can not come here too much any more.


peace and solidarity, always!!

[qanda]

68. Whenever I need a little reality check

I head on over to the AA Group and realize that just like this is still a black and white world, this is a black and white forum. It drives much of the debate, it's why it's okay to disagree on immigration but not on gay or women's rights. It's why we can be divided on whether Cynthia McKinney deserves the same right as every other American-- innocent until proven guilty. Ain't that something? So come on over and see how black progressives feel on a Democratic website and perhaps it explains why Republicans are making so many gains in the Black community.

[nofurylike]

72. yes yes yes. weep. scream. shriek! yes, qanda. so well said, again. eom

[qanda]

74. Thank you and I hope you will stick around

[nofurylike]

78. thank you so much, qanda. maybe this way, to reply in support... eom

[SPKrazy]

88. I Agree, She Deserves Innocent Until Proven Guilty

and as far as I know she hadn't been charged with anything

my comments about her today are based on the article of the OP

simply, the fact that they reported that she "refused" to wear her security pin.

note my first post on this thread is "if" this is true, "then no one should be surprised that she has problems. She "refuses" to wear her security pin?"

Now, lots of people claim to know more about the situation than anyone else. Maybe they do, maybe they don't.

I've stated I don't like McKinney, and I can't say that doesn't cloud my opinion of her.

But I have NEVER not once, said she is GUILTY of anything here, only that she is reported to not wear her security lapel pin and wonder why that is?

[Swamp Rat]

89. Nice distraction for us, isn't it?

Be sure that Rove will do this again.

[ecstatic]

91. this proves a pattern of police harassment

I am curious about the experiences of other members of the CBC... is this harassment based purely on race, or is it a specific attack/feud with Cynthia McKinney only?

[Generic Other]

99. This has happened to her more than once

Something is wrong with that picture. I too want to know which other members of Congress encounter difficulties getting past security.

[mondo joe]

104. It MIGHT mean a pattern of harassment. Or it might mean a patten of

non compliance with the security standards on her part.

I don't think any of us know enough to say.

[bpilgrim]

106. i will err on the side of the freedom figther

always

peace

[mondo joe]

108. I'll err on the side of truth.

Doesn't much matter at this point anyway. If either side cares to pursue it they can do it in court.

[bpilgrim]

110. but you just said... we don't know what happened

so how do you know the truth :shrug:

peace

[mondo joe]

112. Because that IS the truth: we don't know what happened.

[bpilgrim]

121. i'll take our congress womans word, i stand with cynthia

:hi:

peace

[slackmaster]

133. She said on March 29 that the guard did not recognize her

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ga04_mckinney/incidentstmt.html

...Unfortunately, the Police Officer did not recognize me as a Member of Congress and a confrontation ensued. I did not have on my Congressional pin but showed the Police Officer my Congressional ID.

I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, that of thousands of others, and I appreciate the work that they do. I deeply regret that the incident occurred. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now.

[TahitiNut]

94. "thought to have been possibly arrested"???

When she's performing her official duties as a Congresscritter? I think the Separation of Powers doctrine has something to say about law enforcement (Executive Branch) arresting a Congressperson (Legislative Branch). Can we all say "abuse of power" together?

[kid a]

100. She is a target - a hated RW target

[0007]

102. Ding ding when the trolleys!

[Bill McBlueState]

103. If you don't like what Wikipedia says...

you're free to edit it.

[bpilgrim]

107. as long as

you can back it up

peace

[Chovexani]

114. Y'all must be new to the Internets

Wikipedia is slightly below the National Enquirer and slightly above the Weekly World News on the Sources of Reliable Info chart.

[rman]

119. Actually Wiki is on par with Encyclopedia Britannica

Nature mag.: 'wikipedia as reliable as Encyclopaedia Britannica'

Nature
Internet encyclopaedias go head to head
14 December 2005

Jimmy Wales' Wikipedia comes close to Britannica in terms of the accuracy of its science entries, a Nature investigation finds.
Jim Giles
http://www.nature.com/news/2005/051212/full/438900a.html

One of the extraordinary stories of the Internet age is that of Wikipedia, a free online encyclopaedia that anyone can edit. This radical and rapidly growing publication, which includes close to 4 million entries, is now a much-used resource. But it is also controversial: if anyone can edit entries, how do users know if Wikipedia is as accurate as established sources such as Encyclopaedia Britannica?

Several recent cases have highlighted the potential problems. One article was revealed as falsely suggesting that a former assistant to US Senator Robert Kennedy may have been involved in his assassination. And podcasting pioneer Adam Curry has been accused of editing the entry on podcasting to remove references to competitors' work. Curry says he merely thought he was making the entry more accurate.

However, an expert-led investigation carried out by Nature — the first to use peer review to compare Wikipedia and Britannica's coverage of science — suggests that such high-profile examples are the exception rather than the rule.

The exercise revealed numerous errors in both encyclopaedias, but among 42 entries tested, the difference in accuracy was not particularly great: the average science entry in Wikipedia contained around four inaccuracies; Britannica, about three.

<more>

[fujiyama]

124. That's interesting

but science is much less polarizing and confrontational, unlike politics...and history can get politicized as well, leading to a greater likelyhood of getting inaccurate information.

Overall, I view Wikipedia as a great asset.

[Bridget Burke]

127. Science entries are more reliable than the political ones...

I've seen some real hatchet jobs at Wikipedia.

However, I researched Tom DeLay's entry to find details of the 1998 shooting incident--relevant to Capitol security. I found many details on his scandalous career! Plus links to Nine citizen groups critical of DeLay--and One in his favor!

So, Wikipedia goes both ways...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Delay

[AllegroRondo]

130. Its good for non-controversial topics

but for any subject that people have strong opinions on, its near worthless.

[MrBenchley]

123. Well said....

[bpilgrim]

126. nonsense

see the post just above yours

fyi

peace

[MrBenchley]

141. Yes, wikipedia is nonsense

and McKinney is a disgrace.

[slackmaster]

131. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney - Target or Troublemaker?

:shrug:

It seems peoples' views hinge mainly on whether or not they like her.

[Debi]

134. I don't know her, slackmaster, I've just read all the posts on this thread

If she hit a capitol police officer for stopping her I think she has explaining to do. I don't care what color a person's skin is, if there are rules to be obeyed (wear a congressional pin/wear a security badge) then they should be obeyed. If the rules aren't being followed then the person should be stopped and questioned until either recognized or entry denied. There are 536 members of Congress - although officers are supposed to remember all of them at all times mistakes can be made (even if she is only one of 14 that still is one of 14 to remember). She could have complained after getting through security - she could have publicly complained that she was being profiled in an official complaint - instead she hit a police officer. How did that help anybody?

[slackmaster]

137. The only people she helped are the people we want to help least

Conservatives, Republicans, the far right, etc.

[rman]

139. McKinney was the first to ask questions about 9-11, first to ask

questions about the elections.
She's trouble for Conservatives, Republicans, the Far Right, etc.

[Debi]

143. I don't know her at all. So I'm not judging her

I just wonder why it's so hard to be polite to guards that she passes by each and every day she goes to work?

[Debi]

142. Had and interesting conversation with my husband last night

He is a former member of Congress - on his first day of work (even before his swearing in) he went to walk in the door and the guard opened it and said, "Good morning Congressman ____".

Even now, several years after being out of office, when he walked into the door he did not have to walk through the metal detector and when he came in the door was asked his name, he said "Congressman ___ "(as you never lose your title even after you're out of office) and they did not check his ID or ask to see his security pin (which he has not worn since he left office as each year a new pin with a new color is given to members of Congress and their spouses).

That does change my perspective a little. Why was my husband treated differently than a current member of Congress? The only thing I come back to is that he was polite and provided what was asked of him rather than just walking past security. He said he always gave the guards the greatest of courtesy as they control access to the Hill. Maybe that's why they treated him w/respect? :shrug: