Posted on 04/04/2006 1:50:57 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
In her embarrassing confrontation with the U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney has demonstrated that while she may have changed her trademark hairstyle, her personal style remains as offensive as ever.
McKinney has been sharply criticized — and deservedly so — for allegedly striking a Capitol police officer who stopped her from going around a security checkpoint, a perk allowed members of Congress.
According to police accounts, the officer asked McKinney three times to halt before putting his hand out to restrain her. That's when Capitol Hill police — who asked a federal prosecutor Monday to approve an arrest warrant for McKinney — say the outraged congresswoman hit the officer.
The officer apparently failed to recognize the DeKalb Democrat, who was not wearing a special lapel pin given to the 435 House members to help police identify them. In addition, McKinney sports a new hairdo.
A smarter, less arrogant politician would have smiled at the officer who stopped her, extended a hand and explained: "I'm Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney from the great state of Georgia, and I appreciate your diligence in keeping the Capitol safe. Next time, I hope you'll recognize me." She would have had a pal for life.
But why make friends when you can make headlines? Two days after the scuffle, McKinney faced TV cameras and stayed true to form, charging the officer with racism.
"The whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me — a female, black congresswoman," she said.
McKinney's haughty position — that every Capitol employee ought to know her by sight and that she should never have to endure checkpoints like the riffraff — evinces the arrogance and ego that voters expect from elected officials. It may be inconvenient for self-important people such as McKinney to stop and show their IDs, but it's essential in these scary times of terrorist bombings and anthrax attacks.
In 1998, two Capitol officers were killed by a mentally ill man who opened fire at the main tourist entrance to the Capitol.
In the past, McKinney has complained that she's mistaken for the "hired help" in Washington. In the next election, DeKalb residents can help clear up that confusion by putting an end to McKinney's employment with them.
The article refers specifically to House members of which there are 435. Numbers for Congress as a whole include the Senate, which would add another 100. What exactly are you referring to?
DeLay is leaving Congress?????
I have too much going on in my world and I am missing these stories. This is true? Not doubting you, just picking myself up off of the floor as I had no idea.
Cynthia! Those are Heinekens. Are you aware that you will need a bottle opener? No twist-offs on the Heinies baby.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Maxine Waters etc.
..I would suggest, rather than the water, they might share the same 'eyelift' doctor.
Road tool? (snicker)
When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.
P. J. O'Rourke
The fundamental problem in this whole situation is not that the officer 'failed to recognize' McNinny. The fundamental problem was that she failed to recognize him. Not that she should necessarily know him personally, but she needs to recognize the office, just as she wants to be recognized for her office.
There are 435 voting members in the House, plus another 5 (I think) non-voting members from DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.
As a Floridian I take offense to that remark. Corrine Brown is and always will be the undisputed stupidest member of Congress. There simply is no competition that walks upright.
Exactly..
She will NOT... go slowly into the night.
I suppose it didn't occur to her to be appreciative.
By the way, I always thank security checkers in air ports and anywhere else. Too bad Cynthia doesn't have sense enough to be grateful.
North Carolina Congresswoman Virgina Fox just called WMAL radio here in DC in response to a caller, who identified himself as Black, who asked if white congressmen ever got stopped by the Capitol police.
She stated that as a short, grey-haired white Congresswoman, she has gotten stopped by the Capitol police as she walked by the magnetometer and they had not seen her congressional pin, often when she was carrying the jacket it was on. She said she had also been questioned when entering the 'members only' elevator in the capitol building or on the members only tram that connects the capitol building to the various house and senate office buildings. She said that the officers were always polite. Also that they have a job to do to protect the members of Congress.
Maybe the cop thought Cynthia was the cleaning lady?
McKinney is a national embarassment and a joke.
Tell her she should resign immediately....
http://www.house.gov/mckinney/guest.htm
Yeah, Traficant's in jail, still!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.