Keeping with the theme of racism and the humble concept

This came up as a mention by liberal_dem in the comments but I've been reading quite a bit about the Cynthia McKinney incident. Then I came across this. It's been a while since I read America Blog but I think John Aravosis makes some valid points. Since in the past I've pointed out where I disagree with John, I felt it was appropriate to point out this time I tend to agree with him.

I wondered why McKinney wasn't wearing the lapel pin. To me it seemed as if you wanted to be clearly identified as a member of Congress to speed up the process you would wear one.

According to this semi unflattering article by Slate, some information concerning that is revealed:

In August 1993, during her first term in office, a Capitol Hill police officer tried to prevent her from bypassing a metal detector, as members of Congress are allowed to do. For years afterward, The Hill reports, the Capitol Police pinned a picture of McKinney to an office wall, warning officers to learn her face because she refuses to wear her member's pin. (And because officers are innately suspicious of a black woman with braided hair and gold shoes.) Five years later, she blasted White House security after guards thought her 23-year-old white aide was the congresswoman.

First, according to CNN McKinney regreted the incident:

"I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, and I appreciate the work that they do. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now," she said.

Today, the Washington Post is stating:

"Let me be clear: This whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman," McKinney said. "I deeply regret that this incident occurred."

Race is now supposedly a factor. In an updated CNN article:

Civil Rights attorney, James Myart said his client (McKinney) was "assaulted" by a Capitol Police officer, whose name the department refuses to release.

"Because she was assaulted and placed in impending fear of her safety, she responded," he said. "This case has just begun and we're going to fight, and we're going to use the U.S. Constitution."

However, she has two lawyers, the second one:

Michael Raffauf, downplayed the possibility of pressing charges against the officer, saying, "Not every assault deserves to be criminally prosecuted."

She also states:

"The pin is not the issue," the six-time congresswoman said. "The issue is face recognition."

I disagree, the pin is the issue anyone could be made to look like her, face recognition alone should not be enough to allow someone to bypass metal detectors. Frankly I think all of them should have to go thru the metal detectors just like everyone else. Sure create a special line because God forbid one of them be treated like the rest of America but no lapel pin? Sorry...back of the line like the "rest" of us. There seems to be some discussion as to Congresspersons being advised to not wear the pin so that they cannot be easily "marked" by terrorists, so if that's true they still have Congressional ID, and the process should be clearly defined. All a "terrorist" would have to do is to do the same "face recognition" that is being used now so that to me isn't a logical excuse. Some have gone to say the security guard should have said "Congresswoman" rather than "Ma'm" to get her attention. Umm duh moment here but if he knew she was a Congresswoman he would not have been trying to stop her.

I'd also point out that if the Democrats don't want this to be used by the Republicans perhaps press conferences claiming she was "inappropriately touched" or "assualted" with Danny Glover might not be a wise thing to do. If you don't want it to be made a big deal? Don't make it one.

:-)