Why I Now Feel I Must Support Cynthia McKinney

[cali]

I was in the neutral column, the wait until all the facts came out contingent. I've moved into the support Cynthia McKinney column.

At the very worst, Congresswoman McKinney overreacted when she was grabbed. At the very worst she wasn't wearing her lapel identification pin. That's it.

This morning's editorial in the AC was the final straw for me. It was a clear hit job, using language like arrogance and moving into that most idiotic of all arguments; her change in hairstyle. I'd be willing to wager that arrogance among Congressional Reps is widespread. Whether or not she's arrogant is a red herring. The hairstyle argument is absurd. It's not like she had plastic surgery and was rendered unrecognizable. In addition, the referring of the matter to the authorities, is beyond the pale. The officer was not injured. She didn't punch him or slap him in the face.

Perhaps we can all agree on this: There's a strong and powerful coalition that wants Cynthia McKinney out of Congress. Whether it's because she asks questions that disturb people or whether it's for any other reason, doesn't matter.

We can't expect the democratic leadership to stand up for her. Again, I can't pretend to know the reasons that they won't do so, but it's pretty clear that the most she'll get from them is tepid support.


So, I feel I can't wait anymore to voice my support for her. Her transgressions, if any, were trivial. The response to those purported transgressions has been way out of proportion.

[Debau2005]

1. Agreed! nt

[Benhurst]

2. ...

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[ixion]

3. yep, agreed.

it's a character assassination plot, IMO.

[itzamirakul]

4. Glad to have you onboard! Now let them show the videotape that

they are refusing to release.

[jojo54]

5. Wasn't this incident like, a month ago!?!?!

IMO, it's just another diversion....DeLay is stepping down, so it's time for a lib to be chastised.

I guess they finally got the idea that private planes flying over W.H. air space just isn't cutting it anymore.

[cali]

10. It just seems like a month. It's actually been less than

a week. It has nothing to do with Delay stepping down, and I expect that'll be the buzz in DC for the next few days.

[omega minimo]

6. Same reason they (mostly) didn't support her challenge to electoral fraud

"We can't expect the democratic leadership to stand up for her. Again, I can't pretend to know the reasons that they won't do so, but it's pretty clear that the most she'll get from them is tepid support."

[rodeodance]

7. I think she handled this wrong-but I also think I need to support her at

moment. The editorial went way way overboard.

[BlackHeart]

12. Pretty much my feelings

If, that's if, she hit the guard she should have apologized by the next day. And Cynthia, wear the damn pin!

[Sparkman]

23. civil conduct expected, in MOST HOSTILE times. Give em hell, cynthia.

[Mr_Spock]

8. It'll blow over soon enough - this whole thing is stupid

The security gaurd is gonna look like a goof ball if he doesn't come to his (or her) senses...

[lukasahero]

9. Cheney shot a guy in the face.

To say the response to McKinney's "transgressions" is out of proportion is a wild understatement.

The use of the word "arrogant" to describe the actions of a black woman is deliberate. She should, it suggests, know her place.

Thank you for coming around.

[sui generis]

16. yeah! that security guard should apologize for getting in the way

of her hand!

:hide:

Actually, I have my most serious doubts that she "struck" anyone at all. I'm still neutral. She should have worn her pin and played by the rules like everyone else; and the security officers should at least have some familiarity with the people who come and go every day. He could certainly have taken further procedural steps, including getting his supervisor involved since technically she put his job in danger too by asking him to bend the rules for her.

They're both at fault, but ultimately it's a NOTHING incident, and certainly not worthy of media focus.

[Sparkman]

25. In this punk society, cluster bombs for Iraqis, and a touch=striking in...

the courts. It's the assualt & battery LOBBY that maintains if you touch someone and they don't like the victim complains about the touch, IT"S BATTERY. Fills up the jails, makes bookoo book.
Some guards deserve an ass kicking old fashioned style, but NEVER get even a stand down.
Go Cynthia, give em twice what they gave you.

[Dorian Gray]

31. I agree with Sui Generis here...

This is the most overblown (and sadly, divisive) story out there right now. It's ridiculous the hoops people are jumping through to prove their cases (that the security guard was a racist GOPer or that McKinney is a rampant egomaniacal, power hungry Washingtonian.). Both deserve an eyeroll. It's a little bit of bad behavior on both sides overblown into a national incident.

[symbolman]

64. How do YOU know that everyone else wears their pins?

from what I've heard a LOT of them don't bother with the pins.. do you know something I know? Got a link to how many wear those pins?

And so an ID CARD isn't good enough either?

THis is Media focus to soften the blow of Delay stepping down, and they need to "balance" the scales of Corruption, doesn't matter that she only "poked" this dumbass who can't tell one black women from another.

The cop should LOSE HIS JOB. If he can't cut the mustard and is so stupid that he can't recognise one of 14 black congress folks then he isn't FIT FOR DUTY.

Just wondering why you are buying into the "wear the pin like everyone else" blanket statement?

[sui generis]

67. because I'm a freeper in disguise. Ya busted me.

:eyes:

Really dude. Don't go there or even head that direction. I haven't eaten a live liver for a while, not since my rabies shot this morning.

If you want a dustup, then challenge someone outside of DU, but since you started let me clarify my stance.

IF THE RULES ARE WEAR YOUR FUCKING PIN THEN WEAR YOUR FUCKING PIN.

If the staffers and reps and senators don't like the rules, then vote to change them instead of ignoring them. I'm on her side. I don't think she hit anyone, that's just not plausible unless you're a racist and that's part of your stereotype to begin with. But that security guard has a duty to follow the rules whether he agrees with them or not and whether she agrees with them or not, and technically (all other considerations aside) it was irresponsible of her to expect him to break the rules for her and endanger his own job.

They are both at fault. That is my opinion, which, incidentally is not worth any more or less than yours.

[symbolman]

68. If anyone was irresponsible it was him

He doesn't know what a congresswoman looks like when they've posted here PIC on the WALL as someone who refuses to wear her pin? She's gone round and round with these guys and no one told this guy?

It's not like he's there to PROTECT HER, not ABUSE her, now is it?

THe guy was a dumbass. Rules are Rules, eh?

Gee, I guess that's why people like Delay and Bush and Cheney like to follow he RULES.

An ID CARD isn't enough for this clown? Like I mentioned before, these people have to GO OUTSIDE the building too, maybe she doesn't like being TAGGED as a Congress woman, especially since she's recieved death threats..

If you were a freeper you wouldn't be able to spell so I'd known right away.. a dustup?

I've been here a LONG time, and have asked a lot of people salient questions, once again, how many people DO wear the pins? Do YOU know? If it IS an issue then why not ASK about it? I thought you knew since you sounded so solid about it..

I've done nothing BUT break the rules since I've been born, so have others like Jefferson, Adams, etc.. people who make waves also make changes. People who demand that you live by the rules are already imprisoned and owned by the system.

FUCK the rules, this twerp had no reason to put his hands on her, as I explained before, I've been all over washington with a HiDef Video camera and equipment, rode the little train with Conyers underneath the Capitol, etc, and I know for a fact that there are MANY COPS at the scanners, and any one of them could have FOLLOWED her, and asked her for ID, which as I understand it she showed it, but was still ATTACKED either before or after it..

THis cop should be fired, either that or this is a setup, as far as I'm concerned he already endangered his job by being a little banty ass rooster and touching a woman..

Ever had a cop try to search your girlfriend? Did you know they can be sued for that? You can demand a MATRON, or female officer, which is why Cynthia I supposed mentioned that she was touched inappropriately.

Good, so we agree.. except for the stupid rules (like a terrorist can't make one of those bullshit phony looking pins - ah, so much for rules), and the fact that this cop is INEPT.

[cali]

18. I didn't "come around"

I waited before deciding to take a position. I'm not swearing up one side and down another that McKinney did nothing wrong. I still don't know that. I am saying that those opposing her are making a mountain out of molehill for reasons that seem clearly political.

I don't at all think that saying that the response to her purported transgressions is out of proportion is a wild understatement. I think it's accurate.

[Brewman_Jax]

22. If that wasn't enough

the guy Cheney shot actually apologized! It's like apologizing to a bully for him hurting his fist on your face.

[Virginia Dare]

11. I don't dispute that they want her out of the way...

however, she lost me when she claimed inappropriate touching. This is about an altercation with a Capitol Hill Police Officer. These people are professionals, who have to make split-second decisions every day, which potentially could impact the safety of thousands of people, including the top lawmakers in the country.

There are two issues that must be considered: 1) She didn't wear her pin 2) She resisted when the Officer tried to stop her. Therefore, Ms. McKinney has little to no moral ground here.

You can argue that this happened to her because she is female and black, and that most certainly could be the case, however you could also argue that the Officer was doing the job he was trained to do.

If you are alleging that she was targeted specifically, and that the GOP is using the Hill Police force for these purposes, that is a whole 'nother can of worms.

Maybe you support her as an individual, however, I don't see any advantage for the Democratic Party to come out in support of her actions.

[symbolman]

65. If he can't tell one black person from another

he is simply NOT FIT FOR DUTY.

He should be fired.

How do you know they ALL wear their pins?

Would you resist if someone grabbed you from BEHIND, especially if you've had DEATH THREATS?

THink about it some more please.

[Evergreen Emerald]

13. I was also awaiting more facts...

...I don't know all of the facts yet, but here is what bothers me: it appears that they have been harassing her as she enters the building. They know who she is (the argument that they did not recognize her is laughable, she enters the building daily). This is not the first time she was stopped. This was the fourth.

I am not saying it was a vast conspiracy. It could be a simple as the guards seeing that it bothered her, coupled with their sexism and racism, and continuing their inappropriate behavior.

I walk through a security system every day. I have for years. Everyone knows me and no matter what my hair style, they recognize me.

Nonetheless: my theory is that she was frustrated with the continuing demeaning harassment, and overreacted. (As I teach my daughter--never hit).

Criminal charges against her are excessive. The guards should be fired. If they are too stupid to recognize someone they see daily, they need a new job. If they were harassing her, they need a new job.

[Virginia Dare]

33. Do we even know the race and/or gender of the cop?

I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere.

:shrug:

[Catrina]

43. You don't know that? Yet 'she lost me' ?? seems like a big decision to

make without the facts.

We do know the race and gender of the cop. He is white and he is a man. It's been mentioned in almost every article on the issue. How did you reach your conclusion about Cynthia seeing as how you haven't read the articles about it? Just wondering!

[Virginia Dare]

50. Since you seem to be offended by "she lost me"...

Come down off your horse and I'll explain it to you. "She lost me" because I'm disappointed in the way she is handling this. "Inappropriate touching" infers that the policeman fondled and or groped her. If she is going to publicly accuse him of this, then she damn well better be able to back it up with witnesses or she is going to end up looking very bad. I'm not convinced she's going to be able to do that.

For what it's worth I hope to God that Ms. McKinney gets cleared of all charges. I just am very uncomfortable with the way she is handling the entire thing.

I think she made a mistake by not wearing her pin. Beyond that, I've come to no other conclusions.

[Catrina]

54. Thank you for explaining. I read most of the articles, and particularly

her statements, and I understand clearly that by 'inappropriately' touching her she meant he had no right to grab her arm the way he did, or to push his body in front of hers. I did not even see a hint of any kind of sexual implications in her statements until now. That is not at all what she meant. So you don't have to worry about that. She's a very intelligent woman. Like most woman of her intelligence she would not make up something that did not happen, nor did she. You completely misunderstood her.

As far as not wearing her pin being a mistake, few members wear their pins. There is apparently no law about it. She had her ID with her like so many others who serve with her. She was going about her business perfectly legally. The cop needed to be a little more mature and if he failed in his job of not recognizing her, all he had to do was to politely say, 'would you mind showing me your ID'. He made a mistake. He compounded it by getting all tough, something that's becoming quite prevalent these days with our militarized police and something that needs to stop, imo.

As far as how she's handling it, she is a target of the right. She is absolutely right to gather around all the support she needs and to do as she did yesterday, and very effectively, pre-empt their smear campaign which began immediately, by going public and telling her side of the story. She did this on CNN yesterday, and was very effective in putting down the lies that were being told about her.

No high horse, btw. But it's a little disturbing to see how quickly one the most progressive women in the House, hailed as a hero when she spoke for all of us after 9/11, on the forbidden topic of stolen elections and supported people like Sgt. Kevin Benderman, when most of her colleagues were too afraid to do so, can so easily be dumped in favor of an unknown and from what we do know, totally unqualified cop.

Anyway, I appreciate your response, thank you ~ :-)

[Virginia Dare]

66. No problem, Catrina...

and I understood what she meant, I just said it was a poor choice of words because of the imagery that it presents for most people.

I respect your opinions about Congresswoman McKinney, and again, I hope it all comes out well for her in the end. We need more like her.

We're on the same side, baby
;)

[Tsiyu]

14. K & R

Glad you get it.

The corporate media are out to do the Repuke's dirty work which includes demonizing any person who dares to speak out against the Bush cabal. They've been doing this to Cynthia for years.

I'll tell you what this is all about: Delay stepping down. They needed a legislator on the Left to kick around and now they've got one. And a lot of DUers helpd them kick her.

Hopefully more will come to see the light. :hi:

[Swamp Rat]

15. Nah nah naaah naaah, nah nah naaah naaah! Hey hey hey! Goodbye Tom!

[Tsiyu]

29. Como vai Swamp Rat?

Ciao, Tom ! :party: :toast: :party:


:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[jukes]

36. not any REAL DUers

just MY $.02...

[Neil Lisst]

17. I've been there since day one. Seen this and all its sequels.

Black rep who doesn't "know her place." Or his place.

It's thinly veiled racism, bubbling there just barely below the surface.

You know they wanna say it.

[BooScout]

19. I didn't change my mind about her......

But it made me mad enough to start my post this morning about a White person's persepective about Dekalb county and Cynthia. There's a witch hunt out for her.

[LA lady]

20. Resolution

There is a resolution being introduced today to commend the Capitol hill Police for their service. It is going to put a lot of Dems on the line. If they vote against it, the Police union (which unanimously supported the officer involved) will be pissed. If they vote for it, it hurts Rep. McKinney.

[paul_fromatlanta]

21. I cant support her because of her pattern of behavior

but I can wait for all the facts.

[jukes]

37. i thought you'd stated publicly

you were going to disavow this alleged "pattern of behavior"?

another change of heart?

[jukes]

42. no witty riposte?

or are you busy repairing a collapse in 1 of your tunnels?

[Catrina]

45. Funny, I love her pattern of behavior. Speaking the truth about important

issues in her role as a US Rep. has been a pattern of behavior with her. But that's what the rightwing doesn't like, her incredible pattern of behavior which they cannot scare her into changing. She's got guts and that's what we need.

[Brewman_Jax]

24. She had her official ID

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/29/mckinney.scuffle.ap/index.html What more do they want? :shrug:

[pimpbot]

26. Incorrect!

She showed the officer her identification AFTER she had gone through. No where in that article does it say she passed through with it on.

I dont think this story should be getting so much attention, however I also dont defend her actions or statements. If this is a big smearjob, she played right into it.

[Brewman_Jax]

28. Incomplete

Also from the article--She is routinely recognized by many officers. Now, I'm in a secure building and the rent-a-cops recognize us. Why shouldn't specialized law-enforcement officers be able to do the same for the members of Congress?

[Palladin]

27. They can't forgive her

for appearing at Washington antiwar rallies. They couldn't forgive her in 2002 for
taking a pro-Palestinian stand. They couldn't forgive her when she regained her Atlanta
House seat in 2004.

Perhaps we can all agree on this: There's a strong and powerful coalition that wants Cynthia McKinney out of Congress. Whether it's because she asks questions that disturb people or whether it's for any other reason, doesn't matter.

We can't expect the democratic leadership to stand up for her. Again, I can't pretend to know the reasons that they won't do so, but it's pretty clear that the most she'll get from them is tepid support.

We know the reasons. They will do a Trafficante on her if we don't rally to her. She is one of the brave voices for our time. You go, Cynthia!

[BlooInBloo]

30. SHOW THE VIDEO! SHOW THE VIDEO! SHOW THE VIDEO!

She's innocent until proven guilty. If they don't show a tape of her "assaulting" an officer, then she didn't do it, and it's all made up.

[file83]

56. They said the "video" doesn't reveal the incident....

Uh-huh. Sure. Then why not show it to the public?

[kid a]

32. I agree - SUPPORT HER

[Tom Rinaldo]

34. OK, but she's not a bigger issue than Iraq, the Economy, or 4th Amendment

There are many fine Progressives in Congress, like Bernie Sanders and John Conyers, who manage to be effective while keeping the focus on the issues they are working on. Being effective fighting for the issues that matter is a very difficult standard to achieve in Congress, where the issues that matter undercut the agenda of powerful entrenched interests, but that is still ultimately the standard that matters, advancing the cause. Sometimes McKinney does that by being outspoken, and sometimes her behavior gives fuel to our enemies. It was no big deal to me that Bill Clinton got a blow job, but his behavior was politically foolish because he handed ammunition to our enemies which took the focus off of important issues he was fighting for.

I can see giving support to McKinney, but it isn't as important as giving support to ending torture at Gitmo, or retaking the House in 2006.

[rman]

35. We can support more then one issue,

right?

[Tom Rinaldo]

40. Of course. But it is best to keep issues in relative perspective

That's my main point, and in making it I do not mean to imply that all those who are supporting her now are failing to do so.

[immoderate]

38. Much ado about nothing!

I can't see why this is an issue. This is being played up as a diversion. apologies exchanged, it should have been over in minutes.

--IMM

[Tom Joad]

39. She has angered powerful lobbies on Capitol Hill.

Some Dems have been reluctant to support her before.

She is unapologetically against the war, and stands for an "out now" position,
not the mealy-mouthed "lets have a plan to win and then withdraw our troops soon, but not Prematurely" position, which is just another way to give support for occupation.

[mirandapriestly]

41. Call me paranoid, but it sounds like a set up to me

wouldn't happen to a white rethug congressman. It just wouldn't. And the incident with Conyer's wife? That too..

[laundry_queen]

47. This is my leaning. n/t

[bpilgrim]

44. Thanks for stating your support for her, she is gonna need all the help

she can get in the coming days and weeks, bet.

this is such an obvious hit on her that it's making me sick to see all these negative headlines regarding one of our own hero's, right here on DU.

:toast:

peace

[earth mom]

46. Exactly-McKinney deserves our support, now more than ever.

:thumbsup:

BTW-has DU been invaded by freepers? Because judging from some of the responses to this story, it's like an ugly and viscous shark attack. :(

[madmom]

48. all the repukes are yelling innocent until proven guilty about

delay but this is not the same for McKinney,( she's just an uppity black woman):sarcasm:

[glitch]

49. We all know their lies reek. So why do so many still lap up their swill?

Seriously. Wait for the evidence before you condemn (to the condemners, not you OP).
Innocent until proven guilty isn't an empty cliche.

[Booster]

51. I totally agree. This was blown all out of proportion that it now

smells like a rat. The security at Capitol Hill either were told by the WH to make a big deal out of this, or they overreacted on their own, but this should have been handled in a much more professional way than they handled, or didn't handle, it. Personally, I think both parties overreacted, but this just plain stinks.

[SeattleGirl]

52. Thank you, cali

Once again, the Drama Queens have come out of the closet (which includes pretty much the entire Repuke-lican party and their talking heads on TV, radio, and in print). "Oh my God, a black woman with 'natural' hair has invaded the government! Can't have that! Grab her! Quick, before she brings the country down!" :eyes:

[me b zola]

53. Glad to have you on board.

Rep McKinney needs all of the support that we can give her.

[cali]

55. glad to stand against

anything as transparent and ridiculous as asking for prosecution of what was, by every account I've read, a minor incident.

[bigwillq]

57. She's always had my support.

She has done very good things as a Congressperson.

[Cleita]

58. It's not like she shot someone in the face after having

a beer or two. If they indict her, they need to indict Cheney. Other than that I think this is certainly not fair and very petty.

[iconoclastNYC]

59. Well this might come off racist to some

But I think that a lot the people who voted for her are proud of her standing up for herself. I'm sure she regrets it. But we all make mistakes.

I don't think this is going to hurt her long term.

[bemildred]

60. Good for you, a smear is a smear. nt

[farmboxer]

61. I still support her.

Afterall, she has always supported "We The People" and now it's time for "We The People" to support her. She speaks out and tells it like it really is. They are out to get her and it's so very obvious.

[autorank]

62. Recommended. I'm with you Cali...100%.

[theHandpuppet]

63. Agreed! And the repukes use this as a distraction from their own crimes!

The irony is not lost upon anyone with half a brain in their noggin.

[bigtree]

69. hey Cali

I'm impressed by your argument.

Peace.

[dogday]

70. I truly believe Cynthia was set up

to be the sacrificial lamb to take the heat off of DeLay.. Because of her personality, she was the perfect patsy.... This is nothing new with the rethugs, they are swiftboating again....

[4 t 4]

71. Check this out!

omega minimo (1000+ posts) Wed Apr-05-06 09:48 PM
Original message
If you're trashing Rep. McKinney, Mike Malloy just kicked your ass
You'll have to check the tape cuz he's done and HE DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. "Don't email me about how she couldn't have given Republicans a better present......."

"What the hell is wrong with you people?!! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND HOW THE BUSH CRIME FAMILY WORKS Y-E-T?!!"

He began by reading her statement of today from her website.

Very informative.

Actual information.

"She is the ONLY one on that committee that asked the questions that needed to be asked" (of Rumsfeld, etc. about the war, war games, etc.)

Hope you heard it.


"The pen is mightier than the flaming bag of poo." --Bart Simpson