Improvised Racial Device (IRD)

I've thought about the implication of using "IRD" for three days. My choices were to either mean what I write when I write about calling-out the race-baiters and agenda-pushers or simply pack it in and stop writing my blog. I choose the former.

I googled "McKinney, capitol police" and I have since read several news accounts of the March 29, 2006 altercation Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D, GA) had with the U.S. Capitol Police. I read the news accounts by CNN; MSNBC; the NBC affiliate in Atlanta, 11Alive; and Fox News. They all report the same story:

On Wednesday, March 29, mid-afternoon, Rep. McKinney allegedly punched a Capitol Police Officer after the Officer pursued her for failing to pass through a metal detector upon entering the Longworth House Office Building. Members of Congress are not required to pass through metal detectors, but they are asked to wear their credentials and an identifying "members" pin worn by all members of the House of Representatives. Rep. McKinney was not wearing any such identification. After Ms. McKinney circumvented the metal detector, the Officer called out to her several times but Rep. McKinney did not stop. The Officer eventually caught Ms. McKinney and grabbed her by the arm or shoulder (news accounts differ on this point). Ms. McKinney then allegedly turned and struck the Officer in the chest.

In a statement issued late Wednesday night, 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."

A different news account of the Wednesday night statement had just a slightly different version of the same quote, "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.

These statements suggest that Ms. McKinney acknowledged she had some responsibility for the incident. She certainly admits to not wearing the proper identification; it is being widely reported that Ms. McKinney routinely does not wear her "members" pin. There is nothing in Ms. McKinney's initial statements, a member of Congress that has put out hundreds of statements, by the way, to suggest she was a victim.

Then, the mood turns. Now, the wheels start spinning for an Improvised Racial Device (IRD).

A few days after the incident, Ms. McKinney holds a new conference where she states, "This whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman ("female" and "congresswoman" makes for redundancy, by the way). I deeply regret that this incident occurred and I am certain that after a full review of the facts, I will be exonerated," McKinney said at a press conference at Howard University. Again, this quote is reported by all the major news outlets. Instigated? Is she serious?

Meanwhile, Ms. McKinney's attorney said, Ms. McKinney was "just a victim of being in Congress while black." Nice. There is apparently a never-before-identified racism that the Capitol Police Department practices against just black members of Congress. Are you kidding me with this brand of racial arson? Her lawyer, Mr. James W. Myart Jr., continued, "Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, like thousands of average Americans across this country, is, too, a victim of the excessive use of force by law enforcement officials because of how she looks and the color of her skin." Excessive use of force? Is he serious?

It is incumbent on the Congressional Black Caucus to address these inflammatory comments. They must either condemn the statements made by Ms. McKinney and her attorney or endorse the sentiment that the Capitol Police Department practices racism on black members of Congress (and, does Team McKinney mean the non-black members of the Department or the whole Department, I wonder?).

This is what I mean about people participating in real discussion about racism. This case, based on the news accounts of all the major news outlets, does not appear to be a racial incident. Even Ms. McKinney's own words immediately after the incident did not suggest racism (or sexism, for that matter). Then, in my opinion, sensing an opportunity to stir racial emotions, she exploded an IRD.

The Officer simply did not have the following thought: A black woman just circumvented the metal detector; if she was white, I'd let her go, but since she's black, I'm going to shout at her to stop three times and if she still doesn't respond, I'm going to put a hand on her . . . just because she's black.

I'll bet the ranch, he most definitely had the following instantaneous thought: Wow, a person just circumvented the metal detector, it's my job to make sure everyone that enters this building either goes through the metal detector or displays a "members" pin indicating they can circumvent; since the person that circumvented did not have a pin, I have an obligation to stop her; hopefully, calling after her three times is enough to get her to stop, but if she doesn't, I'll put my hand on her shoulder.

Yes, there is absolutely racism practiced by some whites on some blacks in the form of presumed guilt. White loss prevention officers, for example, have definitely stopped black customers leaving high-end electronics stores, suspecting shop-lifting, based solely on racism (I, of course, would argue that some black store owners have overtly expressed suspicion toward some Hispanic shoppers based solely on racism, but why introduce logic, statistics and reason into a race conversation?). Every time a false charge of racism is advanced by anyone it simply harms the conversation when a real charge of racism is warranted.

And, cannot we all hear the criticism of the Capitol Police if a black, female terrorist got beyond the security check point and shot a member of Ms. McKinney's staff? Cannot we all hear the laughter when the Capitol Police tried to argue "tolerance" for refusing to pursue the gate-crasher?

I cut and paste below a somewhat edited version (it was just so long!) of the Washington Post's July 25, 1998 story on the shooting that took place at the Capitol the day before; Italics are all mine for emphasis:

By Martin Weil
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 25, 1998; Page A1

A gunman burst through a security checkpoint in the U.S. Capitol yesterday afternoon and killed two Capitol Police officers in a terrifying exchange of fire that sent panicked bystanders diving for cover in the majestic marble building known around the world as a symbol of America and democracy (Blogger's Note: I mean, I guess I could stop here, but I won't).

One woman nearby was also hit in the fusillade, which ended with the wounded gunman captured in the office complex of House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Tex.). No motive was known immediately for the assailant's actions, which convulsed the Capitol at a time when tourists were swarming through and Congress was still in session. The shootings were the first in the Capitol in 44 years, and the worst since Congress convened in the building in 1800.

The gunman, who was reported in stable condition last night, was identified as Russell E. Weston Jr., who had an address in Montana.

Top-level federal and District law enforcement officers were meeting late last night on how to proceed in the case. Officials said Weston could be charged with two counts of murder of a federal police officer, which can carry the death penalty.

The slain officers were identified as two 18-year veterans of the force: Jacob J. Chestnut, who friends said was planning to retire within the year, and Special Agent John Gibson, assigned to provide security for DeLay. Both were married and had children. They were believed to be the first Capitol Police officers killed while on duty at the building.

The wounded woman was identified only as Angela Dickerson, 24. She was listed in stable condition early today at George Washington University Medical Center with a gunshot wound in the face and another in the shoulder.

The shooting turned the midsummer peace of the Capitol grounds into pandemonium, prompted many congressional employees to lock themselves inside their offices, and brought a U.S. senator racing through the building to provide first aid.

The anguishing incident stunned Washington last night and raised difficult questions about security, safety and public access to a building emblematic of the nation's representative government.

Officials indicated that the Capitol would be open as usual today, except possibly for the areas where the shootings occurred, as the investigation continued. However, it was not clear whether new security measures would be discussed in the future.

Describing himself and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as "deeply disturbed" by the shootings, (President Clinton) called the Capitol "the people's house, a place where visitors and workers should not have to fear violence."

"Every American appreciates the bravery of the Capitol Police who prevented further injury through their courageous actions," he said in a written statement.

"They gave their lives to protect the lives of hundreds," said House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.).

Based on initial accounts, the entire incident apparently consumed only seconds before reaching a blood-soaked climax inside the majority whip's ground-floor office complex, where staff members moments before had been at work at their desks.

It began at 3:40 p.m., when the gunman attempted, according to an authoritative account, to bypass the metal detector just inside the door where he entered. That point is known as the Document Room Door. It is next to the central stairway at the east front of the building, on the House side.

"It looked like someone was trying to go around or through the metal detector," said Patrick Shall, manager of a Capitol gift shop that is located nearby. "It started some kind of commotion."

Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Administration Committee, said after being briefed by police that the gunman tried to bypass the metal detection equipment at the security point.

"He went around the magnetometer," Thomas said.

Chestnut, who was stationed at the checkpoint, then confronted the gunman, according to the account (Blogger's Note: I wonder if he "inappropriately touch" the gunman on the shoulder.).

An employee at a gift shop located nearby heard what he recalled as "a big boom." Chestnut was apparently fatally wounded by the gunman's first shot.

At that point, a second Capitol Police officer who was also assigned to the Document entrance emerged from where he had gone to get a wheelchair for a tourist. That officer, who was not immediately identified, exchanged shots in the corridor with the gunman. The officer was unhurt, but one or more of his shots are believed to have hit the gunman, possibly in an arm or leg.

Based on the accounts provided last night, it appeared that that burst of gunfire also may have wounded Dickerson.

With events moving with almost bewildering swiftness, and the screams and shouts of tourists mingling with the echoes of the gunshots, the gunman then lunged toward a door on the corridor a few feet from the building entrance.

The door was marked "Private No Admittance." It led to an alcove giving access to an elevator and a stairwell. The gunman passed both and continued to a second door. That one led to the outer part of DeLay's office complex.

Having heard the shots, according to witnesses in the complex, Gibson was rising from his desk as the door swung open. The gunman confronted Gibson as he rose. The gunman fired, mortally wounding Gibson. But Gibson fired at least once, striking the gunman.

DeLay appeared near tears last night. He said in a statement, "I have no doubt that John saved the lives of many people today."

Other officers, drawn by the commotion, then surged into the room, where employees still crouched behind desks. One of the arriving officers apparently fired a single shot, striking the gunman, according to the account.

Meanwhile, tourists, employees and others inside the Capitol reacted in a variety of ways. "I heard a boom and thought something fell," said Linda Addotta, a tourist from Rockford, Ill. "Then I heard a boom, boom," and everyone ran. "We didn't know what to do," she said.

Amid the explosive sounds of the gunfire and the screams of "Gunshots! gunshots!" Ronald Beamish, 69, a visitor from England, saw an officer, apparently Chestnut, crumple to the floor.

In the first, fearful seconds, Beamish darted into an office. Then he came out, walked to where Chestnut lay and felt for his pulse.

It was faint, Beamish said.

The tourist tried to reassure the fallen officer. "You'll be all right," he said. "You'll be all right." But, Beamish said, Chestnut had lost consciousness.

Police later recovered a .38-caliber revolver believed to have been used by the gunman.

Chestnut was described by friends and colleagues as a Vietnam veteran and generous neighbor who lived in Fort Washington with his wife, daughter and granddaughter, and "would do anything for you."

Gibson was described as a particularly devout man who retained a Boston accent and a fondness for Boston's athletic teams.

Gibson was taken by U.S. Park Police helicopter to Washington Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead. Chestnut died at George Washington University Medical Center.

Immediately after yesterday's shooting, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), who is a physician, went to the scene. He apparently helped treat one of the two fatally wounded officers. He also gave cardiopulmonary resuscitation to another wounded man, apparently the gunman. Frist rode with the man to D.C. General Hospital, where the gunman was being treated last night. (End of edited Washington Post news article.)

Assess the agenda of all the parties involved and then decide. Ms. McKinney is a race-baiter and an agenda-pusher and she has contributed absolutely nothing to a positive race-relations discussion and, instead, chose to detonate an IRD.

Rep. Cynthia McKinney is a race-baiter. I'm calling her out.