Cynthia McKinney....How Very Sad
If you are a security guard, and see this person walking your way, wouldn't you at least perk up and take notice?
I understand how incorrect it is to profile on the basis of appearance. But your job is to protect US Congresspersons and dignitaries in a busy setting. And the appearance of this person, now coming your way, does not exactly remind you of grandmother and apple pie.
There are 435 members of Congress, and you have not memorized every facial profile- you are a security guard, not a Rhodes Scholar. Besides, since her official photograph, this particular woman has changed her hairstyle and gained weight. And she is not wearing the official lapel pen to identify her as a Congressperson and thus qualify her to bypass security. So she appears a stranger to you.
You do your job, for the sake of the security of all involved. You ask her to stop. Three times you ask her to stop, even as she ignores your request, refuses eye contact, and continues forward. So you grab her arm to forcibly halt her intrusion. By this time you are wondering if she could have a weapon- perhaps a gun or even a bomb. These are proper concerns of our day and time. And indeed she does have a weapon- a cell phone, with which she proceeds to hit you several times. Before matters digress any further, bystanders step forward to identify your assailant as Congresswoman Cyntha McKinney of Georgia. Once confirmed, she is allowed to proceed.
If you were this security guard, would you press charges? You were just doing your job. And, it is an important job; lives are at stake. This woman has both injured and embarassed you. Agreed that you are not of her status. You do not have her name recognition, political clout, or income. You are a security guard, a blue-collar worker. But do you deserve such treatment?
At a national press conference Friday afternoon, Cynthia McKinney stood before our nation and proclaimed she was grossly mistreated by this guard because she was female and black. Her enterage nodded in unison. A group of little black school children from south Georgia, at the capital for a field trip, hed up placards of support. Her lawyers spoke of the terrible misjustice, and promised an investigation of this officer. Danny Glover (he of Lethal Weapon fame) and Harry Belafonte stood to state their support.
What will result? I will now look into the Urim and Thummin and prognosticate...the prophesy is now becoming clear:
*This poor and simple security guard will be effectively painted as a yokel and racist, will lose his job and pension, and eventually see the need to move to Idaho to prevent being mugged in a dark alley.
*All charges will be dropped. Cynthia McKinney will continue to walk past security with a smug superiority, cell phone in hand to smash any would-be hindrance.
*A bronze statue of Cynthia McKinney will be placed at the very spot of the encounter. It will display a small woman with eyes fearful and arm being twisted off. And every year, on the anniversary date, she will come to lay flowers at its pedestal.
*Cynthia McKinney will serve nineteen more terms in Congress, re-elected by 70% margins.
*Periodically, she will assail others with various objects: A cameraman with a hairbrush, fellow congressman with a doo-rag, and another security guard with a suffocating headlock. She will be proved to be the victim of all altercations because of racism. And, Danny Glover will speak on her behalf.
04.01.06 (1:16 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
scubadiva (
reply)
post date:
04.01.06 (8:57 am)
Her website still has her older pic with 'the braids'...
Dragging this incident in the mud even further by bringing the NAACP, NOW, Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte into it.
And if you caught WSB's morning news coverage, they showed only 'supporters' of her commenting about what a great job she's done for the district. Of course, they were from the south side and probably couldn't name a single thing she's done.
I cannot wait until the videotape of this is released. I *hope* this will, once and for all, end her time in Congress.
posted by:
lynne (
reply)
post date:
04.01.06 (6:53 pm)
My brother was on her staff a few years ago. I dont think he found her difficult to work for most of the time. Probably, a security guard *should* make it their business to know all the reps by sight. It is also possible that her race and gender were factors. Very little can excuse hitting a guard though.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.02.06 (11:06 am)
I can only comment based on the many novels I've read and listened to that mention that the capital secruity guards ARE in fact required to be able to identify all congress-folk on site. All novels however, as I said. I have no clue about whether the plot points were researched or not. I do find it funny that her story is assumed to be false. I do know that about the only thing that MIGHT prompt me to hit someone is if they grabbed me, especially if I knew damn well I was somewhere I was supposed to be, (and even more especially if I were a congressperson and I knew damn well it was the JOB of the security guy to know me on sight.) The story you wrote makes the assumption that this woman couldn't possibly have been the vitim of "profiling" by the guard, and since you CAN'T know that? It strikes me as something of a hatchet job.
posted by:
lynne (
reply)
post date:
04.02.06 (12:28 pm)
On a side note, I have been highly offended by some of the media coverage of this incident. In particular Neal Boortz's comment that the guard's actions were understandable because she looked like "a welfare drag queen." So while it is hard to know if the guard's actions were related to her being a black woman, it is clear that at least some of the unfavorable coverage of this incident is coming from a place of racist misogyny.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (5:17 am)
Reply to: surrogate
Hatchet job? This isn't exactly the Washington Post. Wait a minute, a hatchet job would fit well in that so-called newspaper.
I understand there is videotape of this episode, and if it ever actually sees light of day, maybe we will better understand what actually happened.
What I wrote actually sympathizes with the need for profiling. A security person, with life-and-death matters and split second decisions, will have to look at a person and make a judgment call. I believe this to be true in airports and capital hill. And the appearance of this woman calls for some consideration. Just reality.
I think she is intentionally showing a disdain for the system. She could wear the pin identifying her as a member of Congress. She could stop when asked to do so the first time, or the second time. And, if she does not like the treatment, there are proper channels with which to state her grievance- certainly not with a cell phone as a weapon.
I'm familiar with this so-called representative in Congress, since she serve the 4th District in Georgia. Her behavior and statements have been incredulous as a pattern. She publicly blamed "the Jews" for her loss of an election. She receives heavy financial support from Muslim political groups. She has had other confrontational times with capital security. Her father, who has guided her in her political career, himself pulled a knife on another state legislator. She accused the Bush administration of knowing about 9-11 ahead of time, but doing nothing for political expediency. Forced by members of her own party to prove such an accusation, she admitted it to be nothing but conjecture. The list just goes on-and-on. They question the competency of this woman, and also bring into question her behavior on this occasion.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (7:31 am)
Reply to: scubadiva
I understand Danny Glover just returned from spending time and denouncing the US with his good buddy Hugo Chavez.
Those tapes will probably never be released for public view. I stand by my "prophecies".
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (7:33 am)
Reply to: lynne
I'd like to know if a security guard is required, by job description, to know all these Representatives by appearance. That just sounds like an impossible and uncertain responsibility. If this lady truly understands the enormity of the task of a security guard, then surely she would be willing to inconvenience herself and allow the process.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (7:35 am)
Reply to: lynne
For sure, Boortz "stepped in it" with such a statement. If he is a person of quality, he will admit his mistake with a dirct, unqualified apology. And, so should McKinney.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (8:17 am)
Reply to: lynne
Lynne, you made my point better than I did.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (8:21 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
The principal of my high school made it a point to know the name of all 3000 students. It's not like 435 congress memebers is undoable. You just proved my point with with your respoonse, by the way. I too think that either that Bush either had previous knowledge of 911 or diliberately ignored enough information that would have clued him in that something was in the offing. Instead? Well, we know don't we.
posted by:
lynne (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (8:22 am)
I think there are a lot of details left out of the story that could make a difference to how one interprets it.
1. Did McKinney appear to hear the guard when he called after her. Since he didnt recognize her he was most likely yelling "maam" or something similar. I know that I frequently tune out people when I am walking. Did she know he was calling her before he touched her.
2. When he caught up with her, did he simply touch her or did he grab her. Because if someone came out of the blue and grabbed me, I might hit them too. But if he just gently tapped her shoulder or something, that is different.
3. Was he a guard who had worked there for a long time or was he new. If he was new, it would be very understandable that he didnt recognize her especially since she wasnt wearing the pin.
4. Had this guard let in any other congress people that day who werent wearing pins? If not, that would certainly put some weight to the notion that he wasnt treating her any differently than anyone else. If so, that would add some weight to the claim that he was profiling and that the profiling was racist in nature. I know you think that profiling is ok, pasterdave, but it almost always ends up being applied unfairly. Besides, there is no reason to assume that a black woman is more dangerous than anyone else entering that building especially when one considers that almost every terrorist attack in this country was commited by white men (I generally think of most Arabs as being "white" although they certainly have darker skin than most northern Europeans. They look quite a lot like southern Europeans). If an argument can be made for profiling, it is white men who should be stopped, not black women.
I also find it interesting that people seem to be looking at this as if either the security guard was wrong *or* Cynthia McKinney was wrong. It is possible that they are both wrong. Or that both of their actions were understandable under the circumstances. I would be very surprised if this guard charged her with a crime. And if she does get charged, I would be VERY surprised if a judge didnt simply throw the case out of court.
It is an interesting case though. Here you have a black woman in a position of power. And police officers and security guards are generally considered authority figures. It is an interesting mix of power really. I think that when everything is added up, being a member of congress probably makes one much more powerful than a security guard even when race and gender are considered. And I typically think that in cases like this where it isnt cut and dried who is in the right and who is in the wrong, it is the more powerful person who should apologize out of a sense of 'noblesse oblige'. Therefore, I will agree with you that McKinney should apologize.
I also think that incidents like this need to be looked at seperately from a person's politics. McKinney might suffer from foot-in-mouth disease more than her other colleagues in the House and she certainly has a reputation for being kind of whacky. But none of that matters in this case. Luckily for her, most people seem to get this and this business doesnt seem like it is going to cost her too many votes. Whether or not that is good for the rest of us is another subject altogether. FWIW, I probably wouldnt vote for her but not because of this incident at all.
On an unrelated note, I have to laugh every time I see your "work hard and be happy, annoy a liberal" button. That is just how so many conservatives think too. Imagine thinking that anyone would be annoyed by other people working hard and being happy! Hahahaha. Yeah...work hard and be happy, annoy a conservative (yup, it is just as funny that way too)
posted by:
scubadiva (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (9:47 am)
Reply to: lynne
Lynne, I live in Cynthia McKinney's district. She has been a continual embarrassment to us.
Your commentary leaves an important issue: this was not "her" Congressional office bldg. She was there for a meeting - so it wasn't a bldg that she is in on a regular basis. Even her own website doesn't show an updated picture of her. To say her appearance has changed drastically - haircut and weight gain, is an understatement. On local radio today, a lot of people called in and said they didn't even recognize her on tv until she opened her mouth...
Cynthia and her father have repeatedly screamed racism on a plethora of issues. At her last election, she and her father went into a polling place with signs and held an impromptu 'pep rally'. (A slight violation of the voter's rights act). Even though another black woman beat her in the Democractic Primary 2 Congressional elections ago, she blamed her loss on racism. (Gee, that makes sense...)
Locally, our ABC news affilliate showed interviews with (only) supporters of her. The coverage is extremely skewed to downplay any sort of negative angles on this story. It's getting a lot more attention on the national news front.
I'm still waiting to see the video, but, based on her history, she'll never apologize. Even if she was caught red-handed stealing something on camera, she'd deny it. She cannot accept responsibility for herself, her failures and her actions.
posted by:
scubadiva (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (9:50 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Boortz gave a wholehearted apology today... And aren't you so proud, Cynthia is on the top of the Drudge Report. (LOVE the pic! LMAO)
posted by:
eraserhead667 (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (10:02 am)
If you honestly think there is anything in that picture that suggests the need for "heightened awareness", you need to get outside more. I've WORKED with women who look like that, and I have no idea what your problem is. Frankly, you're an obvious asshole for even suggestiong such nonsense.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (10:34 am)
Well, little fella, what's the old schoolyard mantra..."Sticks and stones may break my bones..."? Cannot help but wonder about a person who, because he apparently cannot make a cogent counter, he resorts to name-calling.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (10:35 am)
Reply to: eraserhead667
Well, little fella, what's the old schoolyard mantra..."Sticks and stones may break my bones..."? Cannot help but wonder about a person who, because he apparently cannot make a cogent counter, he resorts to name-calling.
posted by:
eraserhead667 (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (10:41 am)
In other words, you're avoiding my question.
posted by:
javageek (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (11:32 am)
i think he should have shot her for being so smug. if she was at the airport and treated their security that way then she would have come off as the asshole for sure. sounds like this guard doesn't have anyone working the spin from his side.
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (12:12 pm)
Reply to: eraserhead667
Did you not get that there was a speck of sarcasm in the post? And did you really have to jump and call Pd a Ahole? I'm all for freedom of speech but not for attacking without due cause...
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (12:15 pm)
Obviously this story can be looked at a few different ways. Is it a major news item though? Well obviously the congress women saw it as a traumatic event. Being grabbed on the arm oh the humanity!!!
posted by:
eraserhead667 (
reply)
post date:
04.03.06 (12:34 pm)
reply to funkadelichika:
I am quite capable of both recognizing and utilizing sarcasm, and do not actually completely disagreee with the entire content of his post. However, placing that picture between the content of the first two paragraphs says more about the social experience of the poster than it does ANYTHING in the appearance of Cynthia McKinney.
The statement "the appearance of this person, now coming your way, does not exactly remind you of grandmother and apple pie" may indeed have a trace of humour to it, but it also suggests that there is something irregular in her appearance. Having been around a lot of black women, I fail to see the humour in that particular point. I could just as easily say that *I* would move a few feet sideways if approached by a middle-aged white man in a business suit (many of whom do far more damage to society than yer average black woman) but that would also be irresponsible if not qualified with a certain amount of humour.
As for my use of the word "asshole", I don't share most people's views on the use of certain words, but I'll pull back enough to say it wasn't the best thing to say on this particular blog, since I have read it enough to know that Pastor Dave is usually quite intelligent and thoughtful. I do not however feel the word is inappropriate in the context of someone making what I consider to be much more serious statements about a person's appearance. I won't bother with the other content of the post, I just find it highly unusual that someone who professes to be a Christian would make the above statements about someone whose "appearance" is not out of keeping with her race and gender in any substantial way. I'd like to think Jesus would agree, but seeing as how I don't claim to be an expert on his views (nor do I much care) I'll let you figure that out yourself.
posted by:
sixthsense (
reply)
post date:
04.04.06 (8:53 am)
"Urim and Thummin"... hehe. I know what that is! I grew up in Idaho, but I'm no longer associated with the faith of the Urim and Thummin. Nice post. I think it's "Thummim" though, isn't it? With an "M"?
posted by:
sixthsense (
reply)
post date:
04.04.06 (8:55 am)
Er, oops, I just did a bit of research and found that the "Urim and Thummim" go back into Judaic history. I was referring to the Urim and Thummim mentioned in Mormon history.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.04.06 (12:19 pm)
Reply to: sixthsense
It is an obscure part of Old Testament history, and I really figured the reference would zoom right by all my readers. I'm impressed. And with Mormon history, didn't Joseph Smith supposedly translate the plates, found in the Hill of Cumora, using a special pair of spectacles called Urim & Thummim? Interesting adaptation from the scriptures.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.04.06 (12:20 pm)
Reply to: javageek
Shot her? I wonder, being in Washington D.C., if he is even allowed to carry a gun?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.04.06 (12:24 pm)
Reply to: eraserhead667
Well, sometimes I do qualify for that name. The company I genarally hang around with finds a more palatable term. But I'll take it and wear it for a while. Maybe the following post will allow me to lay it aside, or give it back to its rightful owner?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.04.06 (12:25 pm)
Reply to: funkadelichika
Thanks, my friend.
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
04.04.06 (1:09 pm)
Reply to: eraserhead667
Your reply to uh my reply shows me that you are more then just someone who wants to upstart on a random blog. Im sorry for pre judging you and thinking you were no more than some radical.
As to the use of words I don't believe any words in and of themselves are bad (they are just words) but they do carry a certain weight and should be used with some sort of discretion.
I also thank you for making me think twice about the author of this blog. Yes I did think a little about his approach to blogging and so called news items and his view on things.
posted by:
sixthsense (
reply)
post date:
04.05.06 (10:22 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
--- didn't Joseph Smith supposedly translate the plates, found in the Hill of Cumora, using a special pair of spectacles called Urim & Thummim? ---
Yes, that's the Mormon belief. In fact that's the only place I'd heard about the Urim and Thummim until now.
