The Beloved Cynthia McKinney

[Bushwick Bill]

A very solid article from a friend of Cynthia, Mike Ruppert.

THE BELOVED CYNTHIA McKINNEY

A White Ex Cop Speaks Out About a Georgia Congresswoman

by
Michael C. Ruppert

April 11, 2006 1300 PST (FTW) - ASHLAND -Cynthia McKinney is a friend of mine. Until the day I die she will be a friend of mine. More than that, she will be a role model and an inspiration that I don’t ever expect to be equaled, let alone surpassed. Full disclosure.

Out of several dozen Op-Eds, news reports and commentaries on the now-infamous so-called “cop-slapping” event of March 29th, I haven’t seen a single one that, from my perspective, got it right. So right up front, let me say that if I am forced to look at this one snapshot incident, divorced from context and history, then yes, my very good friend messed up. It shouldn’t have become as big a deal as it has and she bears some responsibility for that. But if I look at the event as part of a continuum of the life of congress, or the life of this nation, and (no less importantly) of the life of this woman, things look and feel a whole lot different.

The virulent, spit-dripping, white, racist commentators from Boortz to DeLay and the oh-so-PC and dainty black Democratic pundits, columnists and pols who pick Cynthia McKinney apart—pretending to defend her while putting her black butt on the E-Bay auction block for November—are actually allies. They both want her to go away. They both want the issues that have come too close to public recognition in this case to go away. Leaders from left and right, black or white, cannot bear the thought of actually looking deeper at what happened with Cynthia McKinney and what it means.
<snip>

I have walked the halls of Congress with Cynthia McKinney maybe eight to ten times. I have walked into and out of the Cannon and Longworth house office buildings with her. I have walked to hearings in the Rayburn house office building with her. I have walked the underground tunnels from one of those office buildings directly to the edge of the House floor and its anteroom with her. I can tell you one thing for certain because I have seen it and I have felt it. Cynthia McKinney and her staff get treated differently from just about anyone else on the Hill. It’s subtle, but so is the taste of dirt when it’s in your mouth.
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/041106_beloved_mckinney.shtml

[ShortnFiery]

1. Thoughtful! Genuine! Beautiful!

Now that type of friend is a treasure. :hi:

[BooScout]

2. As a native of the Atlanta area.....

...and a white Democrat from Cynthia's district until just recently........I wholeheartedly agree. He's pretty much saying what I said right after this happened.

[nofurylike]

3. excellent! thank you for posting this, Bushwick Bill !

"Cynthia McKinney and her staff get treated differently from just about anyone else on the Hill. It’s subtle, but so is the taste of dirt when it’s in your mouth."

YES YES YES!!!!

:SCREAM:!!

another snip:

I have little hope for it now. All the “just get along” folks seem to be winning the day and my friend Cynthia McKinney has some big choices ahead for her. I and many others will be doing all we can from around the country to get her re-elected again this year if that’s what she asks.

But let me say this clearly: If Cynthia McKinney wants to start a revolution over a cop who touched her, or anything else, I’ll welcome it and I know damn well which side I’ll be on.

***


peace and solidarity!!

[me b zola]

21. Yes!!

I loved how he closed the article, and although I don't personally know Rep McKinney (I did have the honor of meeting her once :)), I feel the same way.

[immoderate]

25. About your avatar!

Most people don't know it, but Louis was the real man of the century. Too bad he was overlooked.

--IMM

[me b zola]

98. Thanks, I love Louis

I've loved his music since I was a little girl. I never got into modern jazz, but the origional stuff---UMMMMM-MMMMMM-GOOD!

[nofurylike]

101. me too! yes!! thank you, me b zola!

i have heard Rep McKinney speak, but not met her - envy....

peace and solidarity!!

[Janice325]

4. Thank you for posting this.

It was an incredibly moving article. I had no idea she was being treated so unfairly by her "fellow Democrats.":cry:
I wish someone from the MSM (perhaps Olbermann?) would pick this up.
k&r

[Karenina]

115. Please check it, kids...

A WHITE MAN has to come to her defense before she's even given the benefit of the doubt. LOVE YOU MIKE and THANK YOU BB for posting this.

[oblivious]

5. Exceptional article. That's some background that everyone should know.

[ThomCat]

6. Great editorial. I love this.

All these people attacking CM, you just knew it was a long slow set-up. You knew this was happening.

She deserves respect. She deserves to be recognized for her seniority. And she deserves our support.

All the people who are throwing knee-jerk judgements and hatred at her need to step down and get a clue.

[CatWoman]

8. you realize, don't you, that the incident in question

will only rear its ugly head again.

Shiela Jackson Lee attested to the profiling by the police as well.

Not that it will exonerate Cynthia - especially by the Kool Kids around here anyway.

[ThomCat]

18. I expect her to be targetted, harrassed and blamed

over and over and over again.

I expect them to keep slighting her until she can't take it any more. And then they'll denounce her as delusional and uncooperative.

It's bullying, plain and simple. And bullying often included the bullies denying that they did anythin and claiming the victim is crazy.

[Kailassa]

65. Sometimes bullying backfires on the bastards.

I was bullied terribly by family, and others for my first 40 years.

I'm quiet and shy, but I could never help being stubborn, so I persisted in doing what I felt I had to do. It climaxed 10 years ago when a state-run agency tried to take my children from me in revenge over me preventing them from doing something terrible the year before. A good lawyer advised me to move interstate, because he knew that these people would lie and cheat and stop at nothing to get revenge. They did, but I didn't. I not only stood up to them and won, but I got a substantial settlement from them as well.

These days, if someone wants to take me on, I look at then with a slightly amused smile and wait for them to back off. People can still frighten me, but they'd never guess it anymore. ;-)

Cynthia will do the same if she can feel support around her. The repugs know that she will become stronger and stronger, that is why they have worked so hard in their pretend-dem accounts here to backstab her and bring her down. She is one of the few democrats to frighten them, so they've handed our party scissors and persuaded them to try and lop her balls off.

But that's one operation us women are impervious to. A stubborn woman can endure and endure and not only keep going, but find every step getting easier than the last. It's thanks to such women humanity has survived. If we let her know we're behind her, she could one day go down in history as one of the best presidents the country has known.

If you're reading this, Cynthia, aim at one day getting to the top, and show the world what black women are made of.
:loveya:

[Jigarotta]

68. I've jotted some of the bulliers here.

very dissapointed.

[merh]

129. If you ever need to enlighten the kool aid drinkers

please feel free to use info in my journal entry http://journals.democraticunderground.com/merh/34 and all of my posts in that thread disproving the "she admitted it she is a criminal" BS.

:hi:

[TankLV]

41. Exactly.

I am so tired of the unjustified prejudices that some here show on a daily basis.

And it's always the SAME posters.

[Maat]

7. What a powerful piece! Thanks for posting it! (n/t)

[BlackHeart]

9. Nice letter but

I'd rather see this whole issue behind us.

[CatWoman]

11. your name suits you

[BlackHeart]

20. You're in favor of distraction?

how nice!

[CatWoman]

22. I'm in favor of the truth

If you deem it a "distraction" that's your business.

I can walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.

[TankLV]

42. It's always a "distraction" when it runs counter to their prevailing

prejudices and proves past statements on the subject WRONG.

Same lame excuses.

"that was a long time ago - we've moved on".

Funny, but WE - who have been villified UNJUSTLY - will NOT "move on".

[Karenina]

117. Rep. McKinney is 100% correct

about "racial profiling" by the CHP. Her only "mistake" was saying it out loud. Black people must wait to be given permission by whites to do that and for THEIR edification there MUST BE IN EVIDENCE

a) a burning cross
b) a dead body that has been dragged through the streets or hung
c) supporting statements by whites
d) all of the above

TPTB HATE "truthtellers" of ANY description. How they are "neutralized" depends on their "standing" in the unspoken social hierarchy and what level of protection they have garnered.

[geniph]

30. I don't think swiftboating is a distraction from "the" issue

I think this kind of tactic IS the issue. The pukes aren't beating us in elections because people like them better. They're beating us because they're better at using this kind of crap against us. Until we learn to respond with a united front to this kind of swiftboating and vilification with the same kind of universal denial that they use, we'll continue to lose in the court of public opinion.

[CatWoman]

33. er. Geni

it isn't "swiftboating".

it's "swifthairdressing" :D

[geniph]

119. LOL!

You're right - there's been one whole hell of a lot of time and energy expended on McKinney's hairdo, hasn't there? Good to know all the nation's pressing problems have been solved, so our Congressional representatives and the watchdogs in the media can afford to spend time on things like Congresspersons' hairdos and whether or not they're wearing their identification pins.

:eyes:

[stepnw1f]

44. Distraction from What Exactly?

We don't all just eat, breath and obsess on one issue you know. Some like to take a break...

[Jigarotta]

16. but this kind of thing will always be the 'issue'.

do you not yet understand?

[ThomCat]

19. You're right. It's a ready-made distraction

whenever the bullies in charge want one.

[Jigarotta]

59. a kick for the Beloveds.

the brave ones who sacrifice much just for speaking freely.

[radwriter0555]

28. Yes, we should forget November 2000, November 2004, 911, Iraq, Gitmo,

Diebold, Al Gore, John Kerry, Swiftboat, Abu Ghraib, Afghanistan, Heroin, Pederasty, Taliban, Bin Laden, 3000 dead Americans on 911, 2400 Dead US troops, Dick Dead Eye Cheney, Dubai Ports deal, Valerie Plame, Senator Carnahan, Dick Ashcroft, Justice Scalia, South Dakota, Mexico, Enron, Halliburton, Keny Lay, 250,000 dead Iraqis, Tom Delay, Scooter Libby, Jack Abramoff, 12,000 dead afghanis.

Let's move on, shall we?

[rman]

37. g*d you're obvious

[TankLV]

43. And to think they JUST JOINED UP to give us their "wisdom".

Hmmm....

I smell something, and it isn't a DEMOCRAT or a "we" either.

And the smell is sure getting stronger!

[Kailassa]

49. Not all have "just joined up."

It's not that easy to pick them I'm afraid.
Some have been here from the beginning.

But time doesn't make a dead fish smell any better. ;-)

[BlackHeart]

77. I'm baffled

what is it that you are accusing me off? I want the distraction of the whole McKinney afair to be over and that means something ominous to you? Like what?

[Sapphire Blue]

10. K & R !!!!!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[file83]

12. Cynthia McKinney is a great Congresswoman. Until the USCP drop charges...

and let this ridiculous issue go, then we must stand by her side.

[MrBenchley]

32. Didn't you hear? they apologized...oh, wait!

It was McKinney who apologized.

[file83]

36. Apparently I didn't "hear" - so what's the deal, did USCP decide to NOT

press charges?

[MrBenchley]

47. No, nutso shoved a cop and apologized

and some folks still want to pretend she didn't....

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

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

[WillyT]

61. Haven't You Heard... Some Here Bow, Or Bend Over...

for authority.

Kowtow comes to mind...

:puke:

[MrBenchley]

125. Especially imbecilic "authority" like McKinney or Ron Paul....

(snicker)

[Catrina]

56. Or, 'nutso cop manhandled a US Congresswoman' ~ but we haven't

seen or heard from the cop who appears to be in hiding.

I think it's apparent why there are some who hate this woman ~ she speaks the truth and some people would prefer to keep the truth hidden ~ but it will come out eventually and she will be remembered as the one who had the guts to speak it when not even one Democrat would stand behind her.

[file83]

70. It is ridiculous that the COP who has made these allegations gets to hide

from the public. I hope we learn that officer's name so the public can do a little "background" research on him. My point is, if the guy wants to make allegations against a public servant, then his name should become public knowledge. If he doesn't want to land in the spotlight, then he should STFU.

[Kailassa]

73. I suspect his name is being kept secret

because "they" have learnt our side are too good at tracing relationships, finding who has been in whose pockets.

They don't want to risk us discovering it was a set-up job.

I guess if they don't want us to ever find out, they can say he suicided, and then the rabid dogs would really show how they can attack an "uppity black woman."

[file83]

75. I suspect much the same.

:thumbsup: on that.

[Catrina]

99. I agree ~ *lol* ~ the cop is probably terrified we'll be able to check out

his past record. Otherwise, why is his name not available? As I recall this is unusual in cases where cops are involved in controversial situations. Cynthia has taken all the flack for this incident, while he is protected!

Maybe a few emails asking that they release his ID might help?

I think we ought to see the video also ~

And the lack of outrage over the racist remarks from the likes of Neil Boortz is also interesting ~ and confirms that, as Mike Ruppert says, Cynthia is treated differently ~

[goclark]

108. You are so right! In Los Angeles

I recall reading immediately the names of the cops that threw a 12 year old Special Ed African American child across a car in a gas station for no apparent reason.

They had the names of those cops right away.

I am surprised that somebody didn't have their cell phone camera taking a picture of the officer(or do they have to be checked at the door.)

I'm surprised that the kid/friend of one of the other officers didn't say the name of the officer to his friends.

The silence is amazing on this one!

[MrBenchley]

121. McKinney apologized--but DO try to keep facts out of the way

[Moochy]

67. Are you starting that trust fund for the cops kids?

Oh the horror of being slapped! oh who will protect our capitol police?

[MrBenchley]

126. No, mooch, it's enough for me to remark

what an utter disgrace your "heroine" is....in every way.

[Moochy]

132. You assume too much as always

Maybe she's a disgrace among your peers, you know the non-thinking knee-jerk middle of the road types, the right wing slipperyslope anti-semite-bating neoliberal types.

[MrBenchley]

133. No, I'm right on the money

She's a disgrace everywhere....

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

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

[Batgirl]

84. Aren't you the guy who bitched everyone out a few months back

because they were saying mean things about Bush-lover Lieberman, on accounta how we're supposed to be all supportive of our Dem representatives...but here you are referring to one of ours as "nutso."

[Kailassa]

86. He's jealous.

He doesn't have half the nuts she has. ;-)

[MrBenchley]

122. Yeah, if only my hero was an antiSemitic loony

who slapped a cop....(snicker)

[confludemocrat]

104. Yes, they are one and the same turd

and before that attacking Cindy Sheehan. he has scurried off like a rat

[MrBenchley]

123. Might as well go to the personal attacks....

It's not like you got anything but horseshit on your end.

[ThomCat]

102. So if someone grabs you on the arm, from behind

you wouldn't react? And you wouldn't hold that other person responsible for instigating?

You're denying even the possibility that this was harrasment against her. You're paroting republican stated opinions about her. You're denying that the media reaction might be biased against her for any reason.

Are you sure you're a democrat?

[MrBenchley]

124. When you charge past the security checkpoint without credentials....

Do try not to let facts get in your way.

"You're denying that the media reaction might be biased against her for any reason."
There's a helluva good reason, as the Daily Show demonstrated....she's crazy as a shithouse rat.

[jukes]

110. "nutso"?

benchly, you're the last i wd have suspected!

[MrBenchley]

120. nutso

She's the same idiot who claimed Al Gore was racist....

[roody]

90. I WANT TO SEE THE VIDEO---NOW!

[MrBenchley]

127. Be sure and hold your breath until you get to see it....

(snicker)

[roody]

130. If it made her look bad,

it would be played and replayed and replayed...

[MrBenchley]

131. Because the whole world's against you and poor Cynthia.....

[pberq]

13. Kick & Nominated ! - we must stand up for those who

are not afraid to speak the truth.

[goclark]

26. Thank you very much!

Who will want to speak the TRUTH and dare to be attacked by their OWN?

She has proved time and time again that she is in the TRUTH CORNER and if we call ourselves Champions of Civil Rights, we better damn sure be in that TRUTH and JUSTICE corner too!

[oasis]

14. Thanks for posting. (eom)

[Jigarotta]

15. Thank you, Bill.

Tragic. If a community such as this cannot fully support a McKinney and see what really lay below the iceberg, then we surely are lost.

Another Santa Claus/Easter Bunny died for me during the discussions here on that subject.

[Catrina]

17. An excellent article. He reminds us of the great work she has done

and which so many chose to forget without even knowing the details of this incident.

I did not know his history ~ that alone makes the article worth reading ~

And he more than anyone, should know if she is a racist or not. I take his word for it, and my own observations of her work.

The real problem those on the left and the right have with Cynthia, imo, is that she asks uncomfortable questions. 'Let's just move on and get along' has been the Democratic leadership position, and look where that has led us.

Great article from someone who actually knows her.

[me b zola]

23. I want to nominate this post a hundred times

And I am reminded that I haven't bought 'Crossing the Rubicon' yet. I have been wanting to read it, but I am now more motivated to run out and buy it to show support for Mr Ruppert who is a loyal and honorable friend to Rep McKinney.

[mirandapriestly]

24. I Idolize Cynthia McKinney, she has so much guts! and I'm happy to see

she is friends with Mike Ruppert, who I always think highly of. Ya know, I just think it's too much of a coincidence that John Conyers wife was in that "scuffle" and then this, with Cynthia McKinney. I guess I'm too conspiracy minded, but they both seem like setups.
Has it ever even been determined that Cynthia mcKinney actually slapped the officer?

[bobbieinok]

35. ????? Conyers wife in scuffle????? what are you talking about? link?

[CatWoman]

53. ...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/12/23/174039/34

[bobbieinok]

71. thanks

[TheUnspeakable]

27. k&r-Thank you for posting this!

[robertpaulsen]

29. This brought tears to my eyes.

THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT OF MY LIFE

In the spring of 2004 as I was arranging a speech and fundraiser for Cynthia McKinney in Los Angeles wherein we visited a small local museum of the civil rights movement. It was only about two miles from where I had once worked. Pictures of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy triggered painful memories for me. As I stood transfixed looking at a picture taken circa 1965 of an LAPD black and white with two helmeted officers wielding batons high above their heads in a street fight with blacks, Cynthia McKinney walked up and stood beside me. Quietly, so that only I could hear she said, “That’s what you used to do when you used to be white.”

Human being.

John Kennedy and even Dwight Eisenhower were forgiven for having affairs. Bill Clinton was forgiven for a dozen crimes. Ronald Reagan was forgiven for everything. Who will dare call it justice when and if Cynthia McKinney is not forgiven and approved of for being real? There is an easy way for most people to avoid reaching their limits and the risk of being embarrassed. The first rule is: don’t do anything risky. Don’t stretch the envelope.

Cynthia, if you're reading this, I forgive you.

Keep on keepin' on!

[Gabi Hayes]

31. glad to see you on the right side of this issue! and thanks for all

YOU'VE done to get the truth out

if anyone can appreciate another truthteller, it's you

thanks again

to all those DUers who've lost their way in this pathetic fiasco, it's not too late to wise up, and come to the realization of just how LOW the other side will stoop to marginalize, then silence ANY voice that dares come between them and their goals. they've ALREADY done it to her? have you forgotten that? jesus....how transparent do they have to be; how easily fooled can you be?

can you say Cindy Sheehan?

[Pastiche423]

34. I feel bad

that I could only recommend this post once.

My deep appreciation for Mr. Ruppert's article. He says what only some (sadly) here on this board know about what has been done to Cynthia and have supported her.

[rman]

38. kick for truth seekers

[rman]

39. If they want discredit McKinney, why don't they bring up

the 9-11 Citizens' Commission headed by McKinney?

I know why: they don't want attention drawn to that.

The Citizens' Commission on 9-11
In Video and Audio
Presented by http://911CitizensWatch.org and http://911truth.org
http://911busters.com/911-Commission.html

[Terran1212]

40. She is a great Congresswoman

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

45. Thanks for bringing this to us! n/t

[Kailassa]

46. So many people made hateful posts in other threads about

McKinney, that I think all of us here who care were injured on her behalf just from reading them.

I don't know whether far more people here are undercover freepers than I ever suspected,
or whether there is really such an enormous amount of racial prejudice, even here.

I expect it's a bit of both.

Too often we expect our heroes and heroines to be perfect, and always act the way we want them to.
We should never forget that a hero is just someone who keeps trying to do there best.
We are all heroes, in our own way, and heroes are just like us, just people who try.
Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail, but we must never stop supporting each other.

[TroubleMan]

50. Great post....btw I never changed my sig:

[Kailassa]

54. Hugs and happiness to you.

:hug:

[Catrina]

96. That's a nice dream ~

[omega minimo]

64. You have asked The Question

"I don't know whether far more people here are undercover freepers than I ever suspected, or whether there is really such an enormous amount of racial prejudice, even here. I expect it's a bit of both."

Which also points up: How Are We Supposed To Tell The Difference?

Women on DU under attack have tried to make sense to the unconvinced that bigotry is bigotry and gender bigotry is equivalent to racial bigotry. Unfortunately, this recent mess here proved us right-- even more than some of us realized-- because the same sort of tactics, energy, bile, self-righteousness and defensiveness were fully in play.

And the same confusion: if The Rules are "based on respect" why is such a violent, uninformed free-for-all a a good idea, if we are here because of common goals? That may sound naive-- I felt REALLY naive about the level of racism that appeared here. And embarrassed by it. How may non-white DUers does that drive away? How many WHITE DUers does that drive away?! How many women have left........

The thing is, the issues of Speaking Truth To Power will inevitably involve getting real about-- and finding common cause with-- those that TPTB seek to disempower.

:hi:

[0007]

51. bttft

[FogerRox]

55. KNR 4 the truth

[ismnotwasm]

57. Wow

An incredible article. With all the nonsense about Ms McKinney going around, I took the time to visit her website. She is far away from where I live, but the woman has a voice, she has passion, and she fights for causes she believes in. Without showing fear, I might add. I will sign up for her newletters, and will support her campaign because a Democrat who speaks truth should be supported.
My own Rep. Jim McDermitt, is an old school white male, who is also under the attack machine. I admire him greatly. Are they talking about his hair? Hell no. And I don't doubt he's been in a shouting match or two, who knows? But even with his stuggles, he's not having to deal with racism or sexism as WELL as the republican attack machine. I bet he feels grateful or he should, because if he had been, he would have been taken down when Clinton was in office.

[omega minimo]

58. “You can do a lot with a little bit of soul.”

What a great piece. Thanks Bushwick Bill.

This gives some real insight into the context and history leading up to the unfortunate confrontation. Even without the background, my question was HOW and WHY was Rep. McKinney confronted in the first place? What was it that caused her to react as she did? None of us knows the answer to these questions, even now. It only takes "a lttle bit of soul" to understand that IT IS POSSIBLE that she was approached differently because she is female and black, whether or not she was set up or targeted for her political actions.

DU calls out for strong, brave, truthful, hard-working Democrats in Congress-- when one is confronted by TPTB in the HALLWAY, the least that people here could do is give her the benefit of the doubt. IMHO. :hi:

"Cynthia McKinney had been the only member of congress to ask real questions about 9/11. And she didn’t stop or forget when she got back either. More than that, she continued to do—no matter what—the things that her conscience bade her to do as an African-American woman who is anything but a racist (unless you want to refer to the human race). In hearings she questioned Donald Rumsfeld about the multitude of wargame exercises I had identified in my book Crossing the Rubicon. She asked repeated questions about 9/11 in repeated hearings and no one on the Democratic side backed her up when her questions were brushed aside, ignored and forgotten. She also kept up her support for the rights of the oppressed everywhere and she didn’t change one single note of her sheet music or its cadence.

"She held the only hearing on Capitol Hill where investigators, authors, and families questioning the official version of 9/11 had a voice. She invited me, Wayne Madsen and Ray McGovern to act as questioners at that hearing, and she was the only member of congress to sit through that hearing.

"She was there for the victims of Katrina and Rita who fled as refugees to Atlanta last fall. She was there to protect black culture and black history through her Tupac bill. She was there for her constituents and for all of the disenfranchised, battered, demoralized, and desperate Americans of all colors who had come to see her as “the politician of last resort.”

<>

"When she was returned to congress, her party, overlooking well-documented procedure with a number of historical precedents, refused to give her back the seniority to which she was entitled. In terms of committee assignments, instead of being a six-term senior member of her committees, she was a freshman. This placed her last on the list of questioners, last in terms of pecking order, last in terms of recognition, and last in terms of agenda setting. She was denied her old spot on the House Foreign Relations committee. She was moved further and further away from the coveted and influential title of “ranking member” that she should have been approaching. Should the House revert back to Democratic control this year she might have even chaired a committee. God forbid!"

Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

[SeattleGirl]

60. Wow! What a great article. Thank you so much for posting!

Definitely recommended!

[EFerrari]

62. Ruppert is a human being.

:)

[mia]

63. Thanks for posting this.

Cynthia McKinney will always remain dear to my heart.

[WillyT]

72. Thanks Bushwick Bill, We Definitely Needed That !!!

:toast::yourock::toast:

:hi:

[Jigarotta]

76. kick for some apologies. nt

[WillyT]

78. DO NOT... I Repeat... DO NOT... Hold Your Breath !!!

:shrug:

[Jigarotta]

80. yes, the personal ego thing beyond all else.

me, I feel lighter and freer when I'm proved wrong and I apologize. But I'm estrogen driven.

[WillyT]

81. That's Why Y'all Should Run The World...

We've been f*ckin it up for far too long now.

Glad ta make your acquaintance!

:bounce::hi::bounce:

[Jigarotta]

82. WMDs will be Cast Iron Fry Pans! ;)

Weapons of Womanly Destruction, no collateral damage.

[WillyT]

93. LOL !!!

:yourock:

[nicknameless]

79. Cynthia’s “apology”

http://www.house.gov/mckinney/20060406_floor_stmt.htm

Thank you Mr. Speaker,

I come before this body to personally express, again, my sincere regret about the
encounter with the Capitol Hill Police. I appreciate my colleagues who are standing with
me, who love this institution and who love this country. There should not have been any
physical contact in this incident. I have always supported law enforcement, and will be
voting for H. Res. 756 expressing my gratitude and appreciation to the professionalism
and dedication of the men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police. I am sorry that this
misunderstanding happened at all and I regret its escalation. And I apologize.

This language is carefully parsed. She admits NO wrongdoing in the incident.
Saying that she’s sorry that something occurred is NOT saying that she’s sorry that she DID something wrong.

A number of people here have obviously never experienced bigotry, and show no interest in imagining themselves in her place.

K&R for a thoughtful article.

[Jigarotta]

94. Xactly, she's apologizing that this kind of thing Happens.

Here and now, the discrimination of those whos dare to speak out and dare to be too uppity. She's not apologizing for what she did.

I caught that too, and thanks for bringing it up, nicknameless.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

83. If...

If Cynthia McKinney wants to start a revolution over a cop who touched her, or anything else, I’ll welcome it and I know damn well which side I’ll be on.

[klook]

85. Great article, mostly

Cynthia McKinney was the first member of congress I had met (about 15 at the time) who actually seemed to be a human being who actually gave a hoot and who actually comprehended all the government criminality people were talking about.

That's why we love Cynthia!


I do wish the guy hadn't called Denise Majette an "Oreo," but other than that it's a great article.

[radio4progressives]

87. Excellent Post! Viva Cynthia McKinney!

[AuntiBush]

88. They Used This Incident to Make A Mtn out of a Mole Hill

for their own political agendas, and to take our eyes off the other Delay/Abramhoff/Iran/Plamegate/Katrina/911 scandals.

Cynthia McKinney lost her cool, for a brief moment. No comparison to the rest of the scandal-ridden ones up there.

She's lucky to have a friend like Mike Ruppert who supports her. This kid does as well.

:kick:

[Boredtodeath]

114. and many DEMOCRATS helped them do it

it was a feeding frenzy right here on DU.

[Catherine Vincent]

89. I still want to get a look at the cop that filed charges.

Must be a wimpy looking guy.

[roody]

91. Let's get the ROSES people on this.

I'd kick in for roses for Cynthia.

[jukes]

111. CAN'T

he's been promoted to a cushy GS/12 job w/ DHS by now!

[katinmn]

92. Wow. Lot of truth in this article.

I hate the injustice of the way Cynthia has been treated by her peers. The play-it-safe folks are a big problem for us right now.

[Qariss]

95. Thanx alot for this article

I've stopped reading 2 blogs that said nast things about Ms McKinney over this issue. I'm glad people here have the guts to stick up for her.:loveya:

Andrew

[Catrina]

97. Hi and welcome to DU ~ there were a few here saying some pretty

nasty things also. They had the three rightwing talking points down pat. It was sad to see, as I can think of no one who deserves our support more than she does ~ I remember the darkest period when not one member of Congress had the guts to say a word, or ask a question of this criminal regime. Except Cynthia and she was a breath of fresh air, and a ray of hope at that time.

I love this article, but it's sad that we had to wait so long to see someone of prominence come to her defense. Although I have to say that Sheila Jackson Leigh did back up her claim of being harrassed.

[Jigarotta]

100. didn't have to be 'nasty', just doubtful

and easily led by the media machine we are supposedly fighting...
The pretend 'Columbo' detectives coming out. good lord, what a shameboat.

I have lost a lot of respect for 'respected' people here but gained by the many more smaller voices that knew what was up and called it for what it was.

thank you.

[understandinglife]

103. Recommended. Thank you.

Peace.

[Maraya1969]

105. CIA smuggled cocaine and rounted it to inner cities?

Please tell me this is not true. He did say he was making amends.

Through two decades of 12-Step work, intense spiritual effort and personal therapy I have seen my errors, felt genuine remorse, and made my amends. One of those amends came in 1996 when—in a face-to-face confrontation with a CIA director—I challenged the same government I had once protected for smuggling hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States, where much of it was intentionally routed to the inner cities.

[Chemical Bill]

107. This has been happening for a long time.

You could start by reading "The Politics of Heroin" by Alfred McCoy. Just googling "CIA cocaine" will provide plenty of reading. Here's one of my favorites:
http://www.consortiumnews.com/index.html

Bill

[rman]

113. It's just one tip of a massive iceberg

John kerry knows about the illegal CIA narcotics trade - see the Iran-Contra hearings. It's not even a secret, it's merely suppressed.

If there is ever going to be full disclosure of this cesspool, we will all be amazed.

[DemonFighterLives]

128. That is why the poppies are growing so tall and proud

under the dubco taliban right now. Opium production is at its high. :dem:

[reprehensor]

106. Ruppert gets it right.

I don't agree with Ruppert about everything, but I'm with him on this.

THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT ONE YEAR LATER...
A CITIZENS’ RESPONSE – DID THE COMMISSION GET IT RIGHT?

http://www.gnn.tv/B12001

This is the 9/11 hearing of which Ruppert speaks.

[ProSense]

109. Thanks for posting this.

Democrats don't have to walk in lockstep, but should respect those who have earned respect. Regardless of one's opinion about the rightness or wrongness of Cynthia McKinney's actions, denouncing her without knowing all the facts is wrong.

A lot of people demand protest, but when someone actually stands up to protest in the face of a fight that's a long way from over, that person is often, too quickly and easily, denounced as a troublemaker.

I hope she is reelected. She lost her seat to redistricting, then won it back. That should say something.

[jukes]

112. K&R!!!!

if nothing else, so many moles have outed themselves over this!




:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Karenina]

118. Ain't THAT the TRUTH!!!

;-)

[petgoat]

116. McKinney is a hero. She was the one who initiated the hearings

that brought Katherine Harris's phony ChoicePoint felons list to light after the 2000
election.

Watch for the biopic "American Blackout" this summer.

Her essay with Catherine Austin Fitts, "The Haunting of the White House," courageously released
a few days before the 2004 election that would restore her to Congress, did a lot to bring me
to the 9/11 truth movement.

http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20041101130426916

She has also signed the World Can't Wait statement:

http://www.worldcantwait.net/