How Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney Will Get Us All Killed

Note to terrorists: If you wear a Congressional lapel pin, you're not subject to metal detectors and searches when entering Congressional office buildings. Put one on, strap yourself with a bomb, and walk on in.

I've always thought of Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as a joke. Someone to point at to prove that Homer Simpson was right when he proclaimed, "when will people learn, democracy doesn't work!". But, now I worry that she will get me killed. Last week the African-American Congresswoman blew through security at a Congressional office building, skipping the metal detectors, and refusing to stop when asked to by a police officer. The police officer grabbed her, she punched him, and now a U.S. Attorney is considering pressing charges against her. Predictably, she and her supporters claim that she was racially profiled and that she was just defending herself. Singer Harry Belafonte and actor Danny Glover even held a press conference to denounce the "racist" police officers who dared to ask her to show ID before entering a secure government building. Expect a pop song titled "We Love You Cynthia" to top the charts soon.

But, this incident isn't just about the moral bankruptcy of racial politics; it's also about the arrogance of power. Members of Congress are allowed to walk into Congressional buildings without going through metal detectors and security searches like everyone else. Capitol police can't remember all 535 members of Congress, and members of Congress don't like to show ID. (In fact, Congresswoman McKinney has caused numerous disturbances in the past when asked to prove she was a member of Congress). So, Capitol Police officers usually don't stop people with special lapel pins that are given to members of Congress. These pins allow members of Congress to blow through security check points. (Whether or not Congresswoman McKinney was wearing a lapel pin is a key part of the controversy.)

And that's the real irony. Congressional arrogance may very well end up getting members of Congress blown up. There's absolutely nothing to stop a terrorist from securing a Congressional lapel pin, loading himself up with a bomb, and walking into a Congressional office building. If a Capitol Police officer asks him any questions, he can just point at the pin. If the officer asks further questions, he can accuse him of racial profiling. The officer will give in, the terrorist will walk in, and hundreds will die.

And that's what this story is really about. That, and pathetic personal insecurity. The root of this story is that Congresswoman McKinney was upset that she wasn't recognized by police officers.

Speakers at the press conference repeatedly faulted the officer for not recognizing McKinney, who they described as "recognizable all over the world."

"The issue is face-recognition," McKinney said.

Out of 535 members of Congress, she doesn't stand out. And that upsets her. And now, her arrogance, and the arrogance of her colleagues, could get people killed. Congresswoman McKinney - and every member of Congress - should go through metal detectors and be subject to the same security provisions as the rest of us.