Cynthia McKinney, Enough Already!

The media should be talking about Tom DeLay and the collapse of the conservative movement. About immigration reform and the divide in the Republican Party. About how the Bush Administration is trying to export democracy to Iraq while cutting funds for democracy promotion. About how four House Republicans are pushing to force the House to debate the war. Or--if you want something seedy--about how yet another Bush Administration official was arrested, this time for trying to seduce a 14-year-old girl over the Internet.

Instead, they can't get enough of Cynthia McKinney, a controversial Democrat from Georgia who last week punched a police officer on Capitol Hill. It's not just Fox News. Wolf Blitzer had her in the Situation Room. Even Jon Stewart last night juxtaposed images of DeLay and McKinney, as if their sins were equal. And McKinney inexplicably keeps the story alive by holding media appearance after media appearance.

The Nation defended McKinney when the right-wing and AIPAC slimed her as an anti-Semite back in 2002. But, as far as I'm concerned, she's on her own now.

Maybe she was racially profiled, as McKinney adamantly claims. But there are 435 members of the House of Representatives. Surely Capitol Police don't always recognize every member, especially when they've just changed their hair style and aren't wearing any identification. It may have been an honest mistake.

So, for the good of the country and your party Ms. McKinney, can we move on?

Comments (97)

1. Ari,

   I find your article most interesting; I do disagree with the idea of shutting up Ms. McKinney. We don't know all the facts.

   Posted by oraibi1952 at 04/05/2006 @ 4:13pm

2. Right Wing Wacko Conservative!!!!!

   Posted by woodyee at 04/05/2006 @ 4:23pm

3. McKinney is a certifible wacko.

   She attacked AL GORE once even (check out her wikipedia article for more info on that). She's firmly in the RESE/PLUNGER camp on 9/11 and her father is a blatent anti-Semite (not just "anti-Israel" guys, but talking "Jews did this and that")

   The absolute idiocy of the woman is clearly shown in that....she took an incident that she EASILY could have played down, did a quick mea culpa, and it'd be gone....and has turned it into a WEEK-long story rivalling Tom Delay resigning.

   The timing is pure Karl Rove (if one wants to believe in some REALLY wild conspiracy theories)....Democrats unveil their new "Smarter Security Plan"...and less than a week later, a member of their caucus slaps a CapHill police officer on security duty.

   Posted by Mask at 04/05/2006 @ 4:23pm

4. You won't find me defending McKinney.

   I am with Ari - shut up.

   Posted by Hman23 at 04/05/2006 @ 4:50pm

5. Democrats are entitled to their Jean Schmidt-types too.

   Posted by oraibi1952 at 04/05/2006 @ 4:59pm

6. FYI - I reread the piece and changed the last two words from "please shut up" to "can we move on?" It's more tasteful that way.

   Posted by Ari Berman at 04/05/2006 @ 5:09pm

7. Why are we still talking about this??

   Are you kidding ARI? Is that a serious question?

   SHE ASSAULTED A POLICE OFFICER! THATS WHY, this was a supreme, and REAL act of arrogance. If a REP did this, you wouldnt be pressing to drop it. You would beat the drum blue. HYPOCRASEY?

   Please this is an in your face to RACE BAITERS, which you and this publication, happily enable. Well it is blowing up in your face this time. GOOD, let it sit there until the stench makes you sick. You sowed it, now reap it. Ms McKinney wont drop it, she is facing removal from office, dont think this is over. She is going to go down kicking and screaming.

   Oh and the Assistent to the Deputy Press Secretary for the Homeland Security department? High official? Nah. So what, good he is arrested, and will be fired. case closed. The DEMS have peaked way too soon, now its downhill.

   Posted by CPT at 04/05/2006 @ 5:12pm

8. "Contempt for law enforcement is a hallmark of the party of Ted Kennedy, Al Sharpton, Chuck Schumer, Jesse Jackson and the Clintons."

   I got a good laugh out of that one. Rio Bravo must be Spanish for dipshit.

   As for McKinney, she must be thinking that any publicity is good publicity...??? Put a sock in it, Cynthia.

   Posted by nathanhale at 04/05/2006 @ 5:18pm

9. CPT - "this was a supreme, and REAL act of arrogance" More than the plethora of acts of arrogance of George Bush? Are you calling for his head too?

   I still think the GOP will be end up eating this. I'm telling you, the GOP can kiss any African American votes goodbye because of this. Not that they had many in the first place, but the GOP has slowly been fooling minority groups into thinking a vote for them is in the minority groups' best interest. All that hard "work" is not lost. Why would a black, hispanic, or a homosexual have any cause to vote GOP? The GOP is tightening the screws on its "WHITES ONLY" sign on their front door, and it will be the same door that hits them on the ass in November.

   Posted by BlueTexan at 04/05/2006 @ 5:19pm

10. "not" should be "now"

    Posted by BlueTexan at 04/05/2006 @ 5:20pm

11. ZERO/MASK/RIO/CPT - my favorite right-wing enthusiasts - all in one blog! What luck! I knew this topic would rally the troops.

    Yes, this topic features a Democrat doing something really, really stupid. One would have thought that only Republicans acted so stupid, so often. But, this one DEM proved us wrong! Republicans don't solely own stupidity, rather they just dominate it!

    But, again, I am amused at how outraged the RIGHT is regarding this particular "assault". With nothing but enthusiasm for the assaults on American's liberties regarding hiring immigrants or talking on a phone without wire-taps, those assaults, though far more damaging to every citizen in this country, are not chastised - they are heralded! What a contradiction! What a crock!

    Posted by BECAUSEISAYSO at 04/05/2006 @ 5:30pm

12. Let's not forget the Capital Police's "wonderful" handling of Cindy Sheehan before the State of the Union.

    And if anyone is politizing this event, its the GOP. Come on, passing "We Support The Troops" style resolutions?!?! Ridiculous!

    If they really wanted to make McKinney look stupid (and she is doing a bad job of it on her own), the GOP would just kind of chuckle and make a joke or two. But as I said, they are crossing the line and can kiss being taken seriously by minority groups GOODBYE!

    Posted by BlueTexan at 04/05/2006 @ 5:34pm

13. I like BLUETEXAN's spin that this was a way to "out" Republicans as the bait-and-switch racists they really are. However, I am not so hate filled as to label all Republicans racist.

    Rather, a right-wingers inability to see when they are wrong is the problem. For instance, they don't see that DELAY did anything wrong. They can't see how rescinding Affrimitive Action in many areas is wrong. Or, restricting a woman's right to chose is wrong. Or criminilizing immigration is wrong. Waging war in Iraq is wrong. Selling National Forest for mining is wrong. Etc, etc, etc, etc. They are just wrong all the time now, so it really doesn't matter what any right-winger says anymore, and the American people know it.

    Posted by BECAUSEISAYSO at 04/05/2006 @ 5:40pm

14. Finally, now, just this once, the right-wing has an opportunity to be on the right side of an issue, for a change. And, as BLUE points out, they are pushing it with these "resolutions". With no action at all, Republicans now have a very angry, if not totally foolish looking Democrat. The only thing more right-wing action can do now is create sympathy for McKinney.

    But, would it surprise even the most ardent right-wingers that, even this issue of assault that Republicans shouldn't be able to screw up, is about to be screwed up royally by right-wingers, anyway?

    Posted by BECAUSEISAYSO at 04/05/2006 @ 5:47pm

15. Republicans voting a resolution to support the violation of the rights of Americans by the police; imagine that.

    Republicans who believe in the Southern Strategy, a strategy of illiberalism against African-Americans, not trying to condemn an African-American Congressperson.

    In their illiberal efforts, the Republicans should change their symbol to Bull Connors from the elephant.

    Posted by oraibi1952 at 04/05/2006 @ 5:50pm

16. It's one thing to hear about the story from a reporter or even from a supervisor of the Capitol Police. I can imagine the scene: a collision between an overtaxed policeman and a stressed congresswoman. And I can even imagine that the policeman stepped over a line. But all one has to do is hear/watch McKinney herself recount the saga to pity the options that those in her district will face this November.

    On the plus side, Al Sharpton is looking more and more like not only the most entertaining figure in politics, but a voice of reason and restraint by comparison.

    Posted by tjbehrens1 at 04/05/2006 @ 5:52pm

17. And another thing. The Capital Police that work those checkpoints should be studying flash cards or yearbooks or something like that in order to learn the faces and names of the Representatives. What would they do if they came upon a situation in which they need to know the identity of the Congressperson immediately (say to prevent shooting them, or to protect them from an attacker)? Its really not that much to ask, is it?

    Posted by BlueTexan at 04/05/2006 @ 5:55pm

18. By the way, I'll be happy to slip the Capitol Police a Benjamin or two if they'll rough up my little Congresspuppy, a cool $500 if they make him cry on camera.

    Posted by tjbehrens1 at 04/05/2006 @ 5:58pm

19. Let every detail about DeLay and McKinney and every politician and CEO and CFO come out and get worked over in the papers and on the blogs. And please stop asking anyone to "move on." It's barely worthy as a Hallmark card sentiment and more often than not just signals we don''t want to look at uncomfortable facts--both important and trivial ones. Let's not move on. Let's dig in.

    Posted by donescobar at 04/05/2006 @ 6:01pm

20. What would they do if they came upon a situation in which they need to know the identity of the Congressperson immediately (say to prevent shooting them, or to protect them from an attacker)? Its really not that much to ask, is it?

    Posted by BLUETEXAN 04/05/2006 @ 5:55pm

    You mean like requiring the congressperson to wear an ID badge?

    Posted by usc1 at 04/05/2006 @ 6:02pm

21. I think that is a great idea, DONESCOBAR. In 2000 W ran to a large degree on the notion that he would restore values to the White House, when all he really had at his disposal was an end to Presidential BJs. Now that the Republicans have exacted their version of values upon the country, and the Democrats have played the part of their half-witted step-sister, new candidates have a whole lot more to point to when saying, "Things gotta change. These guys gotta go."

    Posted by tjbehrens1 at 04/05/2006 @ 6:06pm

22. USC1,

    A pin is not an ID badge. An ID badge will have a picture on it.

    The failure to use technology (e.g., biometrics, etc) to help the Capital Police ID Congresspersons shows that the Republican-controlled Congress has no idea how to secure their own house - so I can imagine they are doing a lot less for the public with respect to Homeland Security.

    To the Republican-controlled Congress, I say: "Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job."

    Posted by oraibi1952 at 04/05/2006 @ 6:15pm

23. I think Cynthia represents you LIBZ better than any other I know. She is arrogant,a victim,and believes in conspiracy theories. Now a grand jury will take her sorry ass and throw her in the slammer where she belongs. Then maybe Republicans will pick up that seat. I say bring it on

    Posted by libzsuk at 04/05/2006 @ 6:28pm

24. I find it curious that all of those criticizing Cynthia Mckinney also, curiously enough have a particularly soft spot for Israel. After all, that is what is about isn't it. McKinney refuses to bow over for the Israeli Lobby. It is nice to see Ari Berman's true colors come out so soon after the ever duplicitous Noam Chomsky came out against Professors Walt and Mearsheimer for their blatant disregard for proper procedure by actually daring to critcize the the Israelly Lobby.

    Posted by jdfsau at 04/05/2006 @ 6:30pm

25. Apparently McKinney had been stopped by Capitol police several times before. You'd think they would have figured out who she was by now. A similar incident happened several years ago in Wisconsin. Then State Senator Moore, now a U.S. Representative, was threatened with arrest when she refused to provide id to the State Capitol police on entering the Capitol building. Someone needs to tell these racists that the Black Laws and Jim Crow are no longer the law of the land, and that black people are Americans too.

    Posted by Ben Manski at 04/05/2006 @ 6:30pm

26. Cynthia McKinney is one of the most conscientious members of Congress -- the greatest level of integrity manifest in any of our elected representatives, most of whom don't represent their constituents. Cynthia McKinney was the ONE member of Congress who brought it to the publics attention that yellow clad clusterbombs were being dropped from planes in the same area of Afganistan as were yellow clad MREs (meals ready to eat) -- about the same size and shade of yellow, yet presented as some humanitarian effort to the US public. McKinney is the member of Congress who shed light on the criminal contamination of the environment that plagues the people of Oakridge, Tennessee, due to the incineration of heavy metals and toxic leftovers from weapons production. NO ONE else in power seemed to have concern for this travesty that is increasing all manner of health problems and learning disabilities for children in the community surrounding this unregulated experiment. I WISH we had MORE people like Cynthia McKinney in office -- "controversial" or not. I'm sick to death of the complacent and/or complicit goofs that make up the majority of elected representatives.

    Posted by CAllaire at 04/05/2006 @ 6:37pm

27. Jeff Blankfort on the ever duplicitous Noam Chonsky:

    http://www.dissidentvoice.org/May05/Blankfort0525.htm

    Posted by jdfsau at 04/05/2006 @ 6:44pm

28. Sheila Jackson Lee was interviewed on DemocracyNow and pointed out that there's a time crunch of 15 minutes to cast a vote on the floor of Congress, wherever and whatever you're doing...hence Cynthia McKinney was trying to move quickly to cast a vote when she was detained, and I doubt this writer for The NATION saw McKinney land a punch on this police officer. It's an allegation. BUT since she's been detained before, this looks like it could be Republican strategy to try to keep some Democrats from voting in that 15 minute interval. "Apparently McKinney had been stopped by Capitol police several times before. You'd think they would have figured out who she was by now." Likely they have, and this is harrassment.

    Posted by CAllaire at 04/05/2006 @ 6:47pm

29. Ari, you could hedge your bets a little less and simply state that it was wrong for Ms. McKinney to hit a police officer who was only doing his job, wrong for her to cry racism when there was none, and wrong for her to drag the issue out instead of just apologizing.

    It doesn't sound like you're angry that McKinney is being foolish. It sounds like you're just angry that her stunt knocked the DeLay story off the radar.

    Posted by phargle at 04/05/2006 @ 7:02pm

30. The real story in the case of Rep. McKinney is the lack of proper, effective, and efficient security at the U.S. Capitol.

    Posted by oraibi1952 at 04/05/2006 @ 7:06pm

31. Ms. McKinney's cardinal error is in assuming she can behave like an arrogant jackass just because most all too many white professionals do. She also overlooked proportion. If she had, say, shot someone in the face and not spoken to the media for several hours as some white politicians are allowed to do, I'm sure she'd be granted every indulgence and this incident would be seen as the mistake it was. But like many black professionals, she continues to believe that her perspective- and a certain world weariness with the way uniformed law enforcement conducts itself around black citizens as a whole- is going to be respected in this country. She ought to know better by now, and all her press appearances only display her naivite.

    Posted by redwingblack at 04/05/2006 @ 7:07pm

32. Apparently McKinney had been stopped by Capitol police several times before. You'd think they would have figured out who she was by now.

    Posted by BEN MANSKI 04/05/2006 @ 6:30pm

    Don't you have it backwards? If she has been stopped several times before (for similar "offenses") shouldn't SHE have learned HER lesson by now?

    Posted by usc1 at 04/05/2006 @ 7:35pm

33. You people apparently didn't read the Jeff Blankfort article I posted so here it is again:

    http://www.dissidentvoice.org/May05/Blankfort0525.htm

    Then tell me if Chomsky has been a help or hinderance in the fight for Palestinian rights. Read the section where Chomsky mentions how he was able to neuter the attempt by the MIT faculty to start a boycott of Israel. Read the part where Chomsky even refuses to admit that what is going on in Israel resembles apartheid.

    After reading the Blankfort article one might get the impression that Chomsky might well be The Lobby's pet radical. Chomsky has repeatedly opposed any really effective pressure on the Israeli Lobby by saying that it didn't exist.

    Posted by jdfsau at 04/05/2006 @ 7:35pm

34. Oh, yes, USC1. Ms. McKinney should just get used to doing what the nice people in uniform ask her to do, as should we all, right? Bullshit. Ms. McKinney, like most black people in this country, has had a damn bellyful of the way law enforcement officials and recently, security guards in shopping malls, get away with in the way they deal with black people. Her alleged reaction, though excessive, is certainly understandable. You and your fellow true believers say it's not about racial profiling. How the fuck would you know? You've never been on the receiving end of it the way black folks are every damn day in these here United States. You think you can watch this from the outside, and counsel us on how we should respond. I got news for you, chum. Everybody reaches saturation level, McKinney apparently got to hers. Whether it was appropriate or not on her part matters very little to me. I know what she's talking about, even if you don't have to know.

    Posted by redwingblack at 04/05/2006 @ 7:54pm

35. The post was about McKinney's latest flap, with just a quick reference to her defeat in 2002 and the major or negligible role AIPAC/Jews/Zionists played in that defeat. Lo and behold, the emphasis has shifted, as it happens so often, to the power of dread Juden (or, for some, the dead Juden.)

    Posted by donescobar at 04/05/2006 @ 7:55pm

36. Just change the job description of the Capital police..Instead of protecting the members of Congress from harm and potential intruders, memorize the faces of all 535 members so they do not have to wear their identifying pins and also stroke their inflated egos.

    Posted by dscott at 04/05/2006 @ 8:31pm

37. It's obvious that anything and everything bad that has ever happened to Cynthia McKinney is a result of the evil racist white man and the Jews.

    Posted by dscott at 04/05/2006 @ 8:44pm

38. Oh my god, I can't believe that a writer at the Nation has finally shown a tiny bit of rational thought! Congratulations Ari, you seem like you might be finally growin' up a little bit and becoming a man! Cynthia McKinney is very selfishly putting herself and her racist positions on the front page, which is totally benefitting the Republicans ( I'll be registering Independant due to Bush's immigration stance )by keeping Delay out of the spotlight! This is typical of democrats, though, because democrats elect morons, don't hold them to account, and don't expect much of them. McKinney has a history of this kind of behavior, she is a bonafide racist, and her continually crying wolf when SHE physically assaults a police officer only does harm to those who are TRULY victims of racism! People like her and, let's say, Marion Barry ( " racism caused me to be targeted even though I was caught on tape smoking crack with a hooker while married and being the MAYOR of Washington D.C.). By the way, Barry was elected agian after serving his term, and has since gone back to his old tricks while in office and no one in the democratic party has held him to account! I can go on and on but the minds of the intolerant, racist, wacko liberals are pretty much not penetratable! Either way, growth is good, even if it is miniscule, and so I say....keep up the good work Ari, you seem to be maturing!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/05/2006 @ 8:45pm

39. Red:

    Ms. McKinney should just get used to doing what the nice people in uniform ask her to do, as should we all, right?

    You're damn right. Particularly, when it's the Capitol police conducting security checks in the Capitol building. Or perhaps you would prefer they relax security precautions on the Hill?

    BTW, learn to read. Do you see ANY reference, any reference at all, to racial profiling in my post. No? Didn't think so. We are talking about a woman who has been stopped REPEATEDLY by the Capitol police for SIMILAR infractions. Apparently she is too stupid to learn from her mistakes. Thus, the police did their job just as we would expect them to do. (And don't discount that we would be LAMBASTING the police if they did NOT stop someone who didn't go through proper security channels!)

    Racial profiling? Please. You're worse than she is.

    Posted by usc1 at 04/05/2006 @ 8:45pm

40. Redwingblack, you'd have a point if you wrote that shit 30 years ago! Now, it's just whiny, race-baiting bullshit that adds up to nothing more than someone who can't move on while the rest of the world does!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/05/2006 @ 8:49pm

41. What would the looney left be cryin' about if Trent Lott punched a capitol police officer who was white let alone black? Furthermore, when Cheney calls a loser a "fucker", the left comes unhinged, but when one of their own assaults a police officer it's OK! So I guess, according to the left..... sticks and stones are OK , it's the words that really hurt them!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/05/2006 @ 8:53pm

42. Mckinney should be believed on her words alone....just like Tawanna Brawley! Hey Sharpton....those police officers are still waiting for an apology over the false charges you and your cohorts brought against them that were proven false and ruined the lives and careers of the officers accused! We are all still waiting!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/05/2006 @ 8:57pm

43. Redwingblack, I just read one of your previous posts and realized that you are truly a flaming racist ( " white professionals "). Well, you definitely have no credibility in this discussion now! I think La Raza can use a few " good men " like you now!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/05/2006 @ 9:02pm

44. Redwing,

    Your posts were awesome. Continue posting the good comments.

    Posted by oraibi1952 at 04/05/2006 @ 9:20pm

45. wow, that was deeeeeeeeeepppp!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/05/2006 @ 9:34pm

46. I just discovered who RedWingBlack is. He is McKinney's attorney, who I happened to see on the news tonight spouting the same "rich white boy...you don't get it" race-baiting BS that RWB was spouting earlier. Sorry to blow your cover, Mr. Myart.

    Posted by usc1 at 04/05/2006 @ 10:20pm

47. While we're being rude, Ari, fuck you. I am really tired of hearing white people tell black people to shut up, get over it and move on. As if that wasn't enough, we get to hear that Black people like McKinney need to respect the rule of law. Maybe Black people need to understand enlightenment values better? Maybe we need to question which side of the clash of civilizations Black people are on? Why not come right out, like some of the openly racist commenters, and say that McKinney is playing the victim? Why not join George Bush in calling for an end to the blame game? Maybe the words, "fuck you" seem offensive, but the words "Let's move on" are code words for every racist, right wing jerk who refuses to allow a discussion of race. Maybe that wasn't Ari Berman's conscious intention, but why did those words come to him so easily?

    Posted by jmnelson at 04/05/2006 @ 10:23pm

48. JMNELSON, can't we all just get along. Stop the hate! McKinney is hijacking the black race to excuse her violent and selfish actions, and this ain't the first time. Your anger should be at the black " wolf-criers" who hijack the race for their own benefit, which eventually turns everyone of to any claims of racism! The black community needs to hold their own accountable for these despicable actions! Sure, there are horrible acts of racism that continue to occur and should be condemned, but people like Mckinney cause the general public to hesitate to believe any charges of racism when they see people like her making false claims like this one! Ridiculous!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/05/2006 @ 10:48pm

49. OK Barry, Let's translate that into plain English: "I don't wanna hear about it! I'm tired of you people! Why can't you get over it and move on? Cynthia McKinney isn't a credit to her race. Why can't we have responsible negroes in these positions? I'm colorblind." I believe that about sums it up.

    Posted by jmnelson at 04/05/2006 @ 11:39pm

50. Sigh.

    Posted by redwingblack at 04/05/2006 @ 11:45pm

51. Boo hoo hoo.

    Posted by redwingblack at 04/05/2006 @ 11:45pm

52. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    we are goin to stop the hate.

    The hamster was just step one.

    Posted by Will C. at 04/05/2006 @ 11:56pm

53. which step do you think you are?

    Posted by Will C. at 04/05/2006 @ 11:57pm

54. It's really very funny. Here are these clowns like Barry 25 who supports the most vicious and racist imperialist war conducted by any major western power in the last twenty years telling me how racist I am. Right behind him is USC1, who, for all his concern about my alleged racism, doesn't know anything about the sort of law enforcement harassment that drives some black people to lash out against law enforcement in this country, doesn't know about the rage that makes some of us want to hit sometimes because we're so god damn tired of people in uniform perforating our children and many of our neighbors with impunity in the name of law and order, here's clowns like that telling me I'm worse than McKinney. God damn straight, boy. God damn straight, usc1. I am waiting for the day when the last racist cop in this country is strung up with the guts of the last apologist for their bullshit. Oh yes. I'm in it for keeps. You think your little name calling exercise means anything to me? You ain't shit, man. I've heard your rationalizations and others like them longer then you've been breathing, chances are. I'll give most white people the benefit of the doubt. But never people like you. Not one minute. Not one second of it. Because you don't have to know. And you presume to tell me. Fuck you. Fuck you in the mouth. Fuck you.

    Posted by redwingblack at 04/06/2006 @ 12:06am

55. "I'll give most white people the benefit of the doubt"

    Why that mighty big of you....so far I've seen no evidence of that...I wonder if you would have the same "understanding" if she hit a "black" cop????Our dear Cynthia has a checkerd history of this kind of race baiting bullshit. Its time to put her ass on trial and make her PROVE it or shut the fuck up. You know RWB...white people are not the only race capable of racism.

    Posted by libzsuk at 04/06/2006 @ 12:29am

56. your right Libz

    After eight years of getting your boy osama dead or alive, old gee dubya will at least be able to say he got him a cynthia mckinney.

    yes sir ree bob

    Posted by Will C. at 04/06/2006 @ 12:38am

57. that's almost a good as little dick geting himself a seventy six year old man with a single deadeye shot to the face

    Posted by Will C. at 04/06/2006 @ 12:41am

58. JMNELSON, I AM tired of you people.....but when I say " YOU PEOPLE ", I mean the delusional, reactionary, haters on the left that are WHITE, BLACK, ASIAN, HISPANIC etc. That's not racist, but nice try! And by the way, when it comes to how I view, value, respect, and treat people....I most definitely am COLORBLIND! Furthermore, it may interest you that I was referred to as a " wetback lover " in high school by a small band of idiots that EVERYONE shunned! They called me this because about 40% of my close friends were hispanic ( about 25% were black )! The overwhelming majority of the students shunned these people because things are not what they used to be. This was in 1987, by the way! Grow UP!

    Will C.........dork!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 12:46am

59. Mr. Myart:

    You're really going to need to simmer down if you want to have a ghost of a chance representing Ms. McKinney.

    But let's not change the subject. So for the record, you DO think it's acceptable for unidentified persons to waltz into the halls of Congress without some kind of security check. You DO think it's acceptable for a congressperson to take a swing at a Capitol police officer who is simply doing his duty and protecting those who work there.

    Come to think of it, if Ms. McKinney had half a brain, she would be praising the officer for doing exactly what he was supposed to do in that situation since he was doing it to protect her and her fellow congressmen.

    Criminy. What an ass!

    Posted by usc1 at 04/06/2006 @ 12:48am

60. Yo Redwing. You are all right with me. And if anybody thinks that this is about the brothers going into a huddle and whispering about the white man, I am a blue collar white man. I live in a trailer and I am wearing a baseball cap even as I sit at my computer. I've got no use, none whatsoever, for racists or for apologists for racism. If that offends any of my brethren, allow me to both repeat myself and quote my new friend, Redwing: Fuck You.

    Posted by jmnelson at 04/06/2006 @ 12:48am

61. And I do so enjoy your assumption that I, in fact, am not a minority myself.

    Posted by usc1 at 04/06/2006 @ 12:49am

62. "she certainly is a damn better representative of someone such as myself than probably most of congress"

    Well there you have it....from the horses mouth himself....I'm sure the rest of you leftist nitwits feel the same way....And you want the rains of power???? I have a Dream

    Posted by libzsuk at 04/06/2006 @ 01:03am

63. JM, there ARE some " racists " and "thier apologists" here, they may even be your " brethren ", but your dumb ass just said you were down with him!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 01:05am

64. LIZ, that was funny!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 01:07am

65. USC1, Do you think that you will further your "career" by lurking around a "leftist" website? Judging from your "handle", you seem to have high, personal expectations. I would suggest submitting an application to Kenneth Mehlman. He has an opening for towel boy and jerk assistant. Maybe you could get your chum Barry25 a job also. Why do you even come here? Your opinions are "Frat boy lite", with little relevance to the real issues that trouble us all.

    I would be pleased to talk with you, once you have about 25 more years of experience under your belts. But, until that time, go home.

    Love, Bloppy

    Posted by bloppy at 04/06/2006 @ 01:11am

66. "USC1, Do you think that you will further your "career" by lurking around a "leftist" website"

    I am sure its the same reason as the rest of us "REAL" Americans come to this miserable blog....Its entertainment to see just how fucking nutty the kook left really is...and believe me...you never fail to deliver

    Posted by libzsuk at 04/06/2006 @ 01:14am

67. he's just tryin' to help you with your problem, BLOPPY! After all, everyone sane person knows that today's version of liberalism IS a MENTAL DISORDER!!!!!!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 01:19am

68. Barry, That was touching and cute, and smart, (beyond your 19 years). Hey fool, you may have a pop quiz tomorrow. You'd better study up!!

    Love always,

    bloppy

    Posted by bloppy at 04/06/2006 @ 01:27am

69. I'm sure some americans come here to " KNOW THEIR ENEMY "! They'll find a few, obviously!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 01:28am

70. Libsucker, Work your magic, you loser. Hey, for a small fee, I could get you a date with Barry. (I will warn you though, he prefers the manly role).

    Please let me know,

    Best, with love,

    bloppy

    Posted by bloppy at 04/06/2006 @ 01:31am

71. Rio Bravo, right on! I admire your calm and rational approach!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 01:34am

72. Bloppy, some people do say that I look very young for a 36 yr. old!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 01:36am

73. Barry, It is likely you are an American, by birth.But if you think that the folks on this site, (or others like it) are not allowed to opine on what might be best for the future of this country, then you, pal, are a little, pissant, wannabe fascist. Try again with that "enemy" shit if you have the balls. And fuck yourself, for good measure.

    Posted by bloppy at 04/06/2006 @ 01:36am

74. Oh Bloppy, calm down! Talking to me like that in public would get ME in trouble, trust me! Furthermore, there are many people on this site, that aid and abet our enemies by spewing bullshit propaganda, conspiracy theories, and focus all their energies on attacking our government instead of our true ENEMIES! Grow up, stay off the drugs ( weed ain't so bad ), and take a chill pill because if you flash that temper of yours in public, sooner or later....it'll cause you a lot of trouble, son!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 01:43am

75. By the way, my Grandfather came here from Spain ( LEGALLY ) as a Basque sheephearder.

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 01:45am

76. Oh Barry nevermind Bloppy....He always comes in here screaming like a damn fool...He fits in perfect with the rest of the nitwits who haunt this miserable blog....How about that name "Bloppy" Sounds just like shit hitting the toilet....so fitting dont you think???

    Posted by libzsuk at 04/06/2006 @ 02:11am

77. yep!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 02:33am

78. Great discussion. Wish we had intellectuals like this here in Tirana. Hope to study in your great country and learn to debate like Bloppy and Libzuk. Harvard? Duke? Or one of the great State Us?

    Posted by donescobar at 04/06/2006 @ 08:30am

79. First RedWingblack and now Bloppy.

    Seems like these liberal representatives are making a habit of making inaccurate assumptions based on "not enough" information. Hmmm. Isn't that what they are accusing Republicans of doing? Hypocrisy, anyone?

    Your opinions are "Frat boy lite", with little relevance to the real issues that trouble us all.

    So then, Bloppy, for the record, we can state that national security does not concern you? Yet another "Freudian" admission by the illustrious left. And still they wonder why Americans consider them weak on defense.

    BTW, Bloppy, USC is my alma mater from many years ago, giving me more than enough experience to recognize a buffoon such as yourself.

    Posted by usc1 at 04/06/2006 @ 09:00am

80. Will C.........dork!

    Posted by BARRY25 04/06/2006 @ 12:46am

    Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    oh Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    Dork? That's all you have left in your widdle bush boy bag of tricks.............. dork?

    Ha Ha Ha Ha

    (we gonna fun with you)

    Posted by Will C. at 04/06/2006 @ 09:34am

81. Redwingblack's and Jmnelson's passion on this matter is understandable. We love to anesthetize ourselves with the "Kumbaya" talk about how we have "moved-on" and "made progress", blah blah blah.

    And yes Rio, Lib, Barry, white racism is still a fact of life in America. The pointy hoods and sheets aren't in fashion anymore (they'll get the brakes beaten off you if you show up with those shit rags in some places nowadays), no they have been replaced by suits and ties. You know, the ones worn by insurance industry execs when they red-line minority neighborhoods.

    Or how about those same suit and ties worn by property managers of rental property or real estate brokers who tell blacks and other minorities that a unit is not for rent or sale..."no longer available" they're told. Only to see the same unit go to a white renter or buyer.

    Even if credit record and background checks are just as positive.

    You rightwingers are so full of shit.

    Colin Powell, your favorite blackman, was languishing at the full-bird Colonel rank...inspite of a execellent service record, until Jimmy Carter forced the Pentegon to promote him.

    Now why do you think that was?

    I can go all day with this shit, but your eyes'll glaze over. Do us all a favor you Morons of the Right, when it comes to race issues, maybe you all are the ones who should "just shut-up!"

    Posted by lefthookjab at 04/06/2006 @ 09:45am

82. Look, I want to be sympathetic and open-minded to the facts of what occurred, but from what I have read, isn't is even POSSIBLE that McKinney overreacted here? Some posters here do not even seem to be willing to contemplate it - she just get a free pass to act in any ways she feels - simply because she is black and there are racist cops out there. Are those the only relevant facts?

    Posted by Hman23 at 04/06/2006 @ 10:43am

83. HMAN,

    I don't give either party (McKinney or Capital Police) a free pass. The issue is greater than what is being played up by the Main Stream Media.

    The larger and more important issue is the failure of the Republican-controlled Congress to provide proper, effective, and efficient security for the Capitol and Congressional members. This security failure is another prime example of the incompetence of this feckless-on-national-security, Republican-controlled Congress and Bush Administration; a la Dubai Port World.

    Posted by oraibi1952 at 04/06/2006 @ 11:53am

84. Look, I want to be sympathetic and open-minded to the facts of what occurred, but from what I have read, isn't is even POSSIBLE that McKinney overreacted here? Some posters here do not even seem to be willing to contemplate it - she just get a free pass to act in any ways she feels - simply because she is black and there are racist cops out there. Are those the only relevant facts?

    Posted by HMAN23 04/06/2006 @ 10:43am

    Hman,

    Without a doubt McKinney has and continues to "overreact".

    I know first hand about the congresswoman's penchant for theatre, being a former resident of the 4th Congressional district of Georgia and now of the 13th. Her mixed record of service to her constituents, black and white is legitimately up for debate. My own house was split on the decision rather to send Mckinney back to Washington back in 2002. I voted for her, my wife did not. (You'll recall Denise Majette won the seat.)

    Furthermore, she does not deserve a "free pass" when it comes to matters of law and security.

    With that said, you or no one else can tell me Cynthia McKinney is not recognizable... no matter what her hair style. She's been in the media spotlight for more than a decade.

    These are highly trained law enforcement officials, who should recognize the face of members of Congress, among other things. Hell, I'm sure this is not the first time she has been through this checkpoint.

    What if a criminal suspect with motivation and a different hairstyle from the one on the wanted poster tries to breach that same checkpoint?

    Shouldn't security recognize him (or her)? Professional training screams yes.

    Posted by lefthookjab at 04/06/2006 @ 11:58am

85. LeftHook -

    I agree, maybe security SHOULD have recognized her. I am not sure whether or not they are expected to recognize every member of Congress. If that is part of the job, then this officer made a mistake. But, I wager that supposed recognition of a member is not the end of appropriate security protocol (it might be far-teched, but what about a look-alike getting by? If something that crazy happened, everyone would justifiably be screaming about inept security). It sounds like the security officers were going by the book. McKinney was NOT wearing her badge, she walked AROUND the metal detectors, was asked to stop, did not, the officer grabbed her arm in an effort to make her stop, she hit the officer.

    I need to scan an ID card to get into my building which I have worked at for years (not Congress mind you). Several months ago, I had my child with me in a stroller, did not scan my card, and a security guard ran after me, stopped me (he did not touch me, only stuck his arm in front of my direction), and asked if I had an ID card to scan, and if I did, I needed to run it. This is a security guard who has probably seen me enter the building at least 500 times. I recognized him for sure, but he either did not recognize me, or he did, but just wanted to follow protocol anyway. No big deal, kind of a pain in the ass because I had my child with me, but I turned back and scanned my card.

    Now maybe Ted Kennedy never wears his pin and is never stopped. Maybe the guard did not recognize McKinney. Not that it matters, but I never remembered seeing her (or even hearing about her) before this incident, so I do question how "well-known" she really is.

    Posted by Hman23 at 04/06/2006 @ 12:25pm

86. Anyone else here ever try to hit a cop? You - get - fucked. What a stupid woman, what the hell is she doing in a position of power? On the other hand, what consequences has Cheney suffered for shooting a man?

    Posted by LClaire at 04/06/2006 @ 12:36pm

87. Well, I think this story is just about over. I see today that McKinney offered an apology and regret.

    Posted by Hman23 at 04/06/2006 @ 1:40pm

88. The apology is only coming now because she is backed into a corner ( her own doing ) and even the democrats aren't buying this one! One too many " wolf-cries"! Furthermore, according too some of the blatant racists views on this site...I guess it would be safe to say that Bill Cosby is just another "house n-----" sellout like condoleeza rice for his views on racism too! I mean, what would a BLACK man like Bill Cosby, J.C. Watts or many others know about racism? It's a hopeless situation!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 2:17pm

89. A friend of mine moved to South Carolina 10 years ago. I moved there at that time and stayed for 1 year. We are both born and raised in progressive California. Myfriend was very liberal at the time of the move and very intolerant TOWARD RACISM! When I got there I was immediately shocked at how racist some of the rednecks were ( notice how it's ok to use negative connotations for white's ) which made me look at them with disdain. After a while, I started to notice myself being discriminated against by some blacks! It started to become blatant! I didn't like it, but accepted it! Again, the racists of both colors seemed to be a minority of the population but it was much more prevalent there than in Ca. I moved back to Ca. after a year but my friend is still there. I have to say that he is a somewhat of a racist now! He say's it's because of what he sees and what he has to deal with! We both worked in people's homes when we were there and he still does. He tells me he hears the same complaints now that we did when I was there, from many blacks, especially newcomers from out of state ( New York, Virginia ) who could not believe the attitudes of some of the black population ( or white too, although they were forewarned about whitey so it wasn't as much of a shock )! I can tell you firsthand that I had countless encounters with these out-of-staters who said that they were shunned, referred to as sell-outs, and uncle toms! They would have been called racists by the things they were telling me, if only their skin was white! But it wasn't! They were black! Many of them stated that they were considering moving! I found that racism went both ways in S.C. but the blacks and whites from outside of that state seemed to be over it! I believe that racism perpetuates itself so when you have backwards ass hateful morons like lefthookjab and redwingblack the vicious cycle continues and people stay divided, and Jesse Jackson, Cynthia McKinney, Al Sharpton etc. stay in business and all the while nothing changes for the people they supposedly represent! The rest of us, white and black, move on with our lives peacefully!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 2:50pm

90. Hey Barry, at least McKinney stepped up, apologized, and took accountability for her actions. Backed into a corner? Maybe somewhat. But, she certainly has owned up to here own behavior moreso than Tom DeLay, for example.

    Posted by Hman23 at 04/06/2006 @ 3:31pm

91. I am buying her apology.

    Posted by Hman23 at 04/06/2006 @ 3:32pm

92. I'm not! But I'll tell that if Tom Delay actually broke the law, then he is definitely a little peice of shit for not being a man, stepping up, and taking his medicine! I just haven't seen ANY evidence of him breaking any laws! That does not mean he hasn't, and hopefully, the truth will come out!

    What would the reaction of the left be if a white congressman punched a black officer, let alone a female black officer? That congressman would already be convicted of racism by the same people that are defending McKinney, and that's a fact, Jack!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 3:50pm

93. Oh, and by the way, just like Trent Lott, the Rep. party has forced Delay to stepdown because they check their own even when they may have done nothing wrong! Unlike the " anything goes as long as you're one of us " Dems, who defend and re-elect crackheads like Marion Barry and Adulterous narcissistic sociopathic liars like Bill Clinton!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 4:02pm

94. Sorry, I meant Adulterous, hooker-chasing, TAX-DODGING, CRACKHEADS like Marion Barry!

    Posted by barry25 at 04/06/2006 @ 4:04pm

95. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    nobody cares about your life story.

    Posted by Will C. at 04/06/2006 @ 8:20pm

96. McKinney, DeLay--actors in a play that died a long time ago. DeLay is deeply imto the IT, international money games, the Wall Street/IMF playbook and how to gain big bucks and power from it. She plays her role by "standing up" for the little giy, the minority victims of ruthless corporate and government greed and deception. The "system" has been sold and the people can't have it back. But nobody knows how to bring down the curtain on this farce. What's on the other side? Chaos? Probably. Pathetic actors in the Washington corridors of power, both.

    Posted by donescobar at 04/06/2006 @ 9:56pm

97. I can hardly wait to see what this embarrassment to the State of Georgia comes up with next.

    Posted by RIO BRAVO 04/07/2006 @ 4:07pm | ignore this person

    RB, it sounds like you are "sterotypicalizing" here.

    Posted by Lillian at 04/07/2006 @ 5:05pm