Eutrusca
30-03-2006, 19:41
COMMENTARY: Since all meetings involving congresspersons are "important," it's ok to strike any security officer who gets in your way? Hmmm. I wonder if she's going to be re-elected?
McKinney:
'I Was Rushing to An Important Meeting…' (http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200603/POL20060330b.html)
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
March 30, 2006
(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Cynthia McKinney, a liberal Democrat from Georgia, says she "deeply regrets" her "unfortunate confrontation" with a Capitol Hill police officer on Wednesday.
McKinney reportedly struck the officer in the chest when he stopped her for bypassing a metal detector, something that members of Congress are allowed to do.
The officer apparently did not recognize McKinney, who struck him when he put his hand on her arm to get her attention.
Capitol Police say they are investigating the incident, which happened around 2:30 p.m. in the Longworth House Office Building - and was captured on tape, according to the Drudge Report.
In a statement posted on her website, McKinney said, "I was urgently trying to get to an important meeting on time to fulfill my obligations to my constituents. Unfortunately, the Police Officer did not recognize me as a Member of Congress and a confrontation ensued. I did not have on my Congressional pin but showed the Police Officer my Congressional ID.
"I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, that of thousands of others, and I appreciate the work that they do. I deeply regret that the incident occurred. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now."
A spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert - quoted by Fox News - said, "On a day when the Democrats are promoting their national security agenda, it's probably not a good idea for them to allegedly strike police officers."
McKinney is no stranger to controversy. She made headlines in October 2001 for pursuing a $10 million check from a Saudi prince - after New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani returned it.
The money was intended to help victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, but Giuliani and many other Americans were offended when the prince suggested that the U.S. had brought the attacks on itself by supporting Israel at the expense of the Palestinians.
Then in March 2002, McKinney suggested the Bush administration had been warned about the Sept. 11 attacks - but had failed to act on those warnings.
First elected to Congress in 1992, McKinney served five terms until her primary defeat in 2002. She returned to Congress in 2004.
McKinney:
'I Was Rushing to An Important Meeting…' (http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200603/POL20060330b.html)
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
March 30, 2006
(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Cynthia McKinney, a liberal Democrat from Georgia, says she "deeply regrets" her "unfortunate confrontation" with a Capitol Hill police officer on Wednesday.
McKinney reportedly struck the officer in the chest when he stopped her for bypassing a metal detector, something that members of Congress are allowed to do.
The officer apparently did not recognize McKinney, who struck him when he put his hand on her arm to get her attention.
Capitol Police say they are investigating the incident, which happened around 2:30 p.m. in the Longworth House Office Building - and was captured on tape, according to the Drudge Report.
In a statement posted on her website, McKinney said, "I was urgently trying to get to an important meeting on time to fulfill my obligations to my constituents. Unfortunately, the Police Officer did not recognize me as a Member of Congress and a confrontation ensued. I did not have on my Congressional pin but showed the Police Officer my Congressional ID.
"I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, that of thousands of others, and I appreciate the work that they do. I deeply regret that the incident occurred. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now."
A spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert - quoted by Fox News - said, "On a day when the Democrats are promoting their national security agenda, it's probably not a good idea for them to allegedly strike police officers."
McKinney is no stranger to controversy. She made headlines in October 2001 for pursuing a $10 million check from a Saudi prince - after New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani returned it.
The money was intended to help victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, but Giuliani and many other Americans were offended when the prince suggested that the U.S. had brought the attacks on itself by supporting Israel at the expense of the Palestinians.
Then in March 2002, McKinney suggested the Bush administration had been warned about the Sept. 11 attacks - but had failed to act on those warnings.
First elected to Congress in 1992, McKinney served five terms until her primary defeat in 2002. She returned to Congress in 2004.