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'''Cynthia Ann McKinney''' (born ], ]) is totally incompetent, base scum. She, like a dumb animal, is "sorry" without taking responsibility for her actions. |
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'''Cynthia Ann McKinney''' (born ], ]) is an ] from the ] of ]. A ], McKinney served in the ] from 1993 to 2003, and returned in 2005, representing the ] in the ]s of ]. |
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==Early political career== |
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McKinney was born in Atlanta. Her political career began in 1986 when her father Billy McKinney, a representative in the ], submitted his daughter's name as a ] for the Georgia state house. She received about 40 percent of the popular vote despite the fact that she lived in ] at the time with then-husband Coy Grandison (with whom she had a son, Coy McKinney, now age 16). In 1988, McKinney ran for the same seat and won, making the McKinneys the first father and daughter to simultaneously serve in the Georgia state house. |
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McKinney immediately challenged House rules requiring women to wear dresses by wearing slacks. In 1991, she spoke out against the ], causing many legislators to walk out in protest at her remarks. |
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==Service in the U.S. House of Representatives== |
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In the ], McKinney was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as the member of Congress from newly-created 11th District, a 64 percent black-majority district stretching from Atlanta to ]. She was the first ] woman to represent Georgia in the House. However, in 1995 the ] ruled in '']'' that the 11th district was an ] ] because the boundaries were unfairly based on ]. |
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McKinney angrily responded to the ruling by asserting that it was a racially-discriminatory ruling given the fact that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that ], which is 91 percent white, was constitutional.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/december96/redistricting_12-9.htm | title="Politics of Race." ''The NewsHour with ]''. | publisher=] | date=9 December 1996}}</ref> |
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McKinney's district was renumbered the 4th and redrawn to take in almost all of ]. The new 4th district, however, was no less Democratic than the 11th district, and McKinney was easily reelected from this district in the ], ] and ]. |
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In a 2002 interview on ] McKinney questioned the Bush administration's possible prior knowledge of the ]:<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.rise4news.net/McKinney.html | title=Interview with Dennis Bernstein. ''Flashpoints'' | publisher=]. KPFA, Berkeley, California. | date=25 March 2002}}</ref> |
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{{quotation|We know there were numerous warnings of the events to come on September 11... Those engaged in unusual stock trades immediately before September 11 knew enough to make millions of dollars from United and American airlines, certain insurance and brokerage firms' stocks. What did the Administration know, and when did it know it about the events of September 11? Who else knew and why did they not warn the innocent people of New York who were needlessly murdered?|"Flashpoints" with Dennis Bernstein|KFPA Pacifica Radio|March 25, 2002}} |
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These remarks provoked criticism, and many Democrats distanced themselves from McKinney's statements. On April 12, 2002, McKinney issued a statement saying that "I am not aware of any evidence showing that ] or members of his administration have personally profited from the attacks of 9-11. A complete investigation might reveal this to be the case." |
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During the 2000 presidential campaign, McKinney wrote that "] ] tolerance level has never been too high. I've never known him to have more than one black person around him at any given time." The Gore campaign pointed out however that his campaign manager was black.<ref name="repwhocriesracism">{{cite news | url=http://www.slate.com/?id=2064530 | title=Cynthia McKinney - The rep who cries racism | publisher=] | date=19 April 2002 | author=Chris Suellentrop}}</ref> |
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In a controversial remark, McKinney said that on ], 2002, Judge ] had stated unequivocally that the purported murder rifle was ''not'' the weapon that killed Dr. Martin Luther King.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.counterpunch.org/mckinney0918.html | title=Goodbye to All That, by Cynthia McKinney | publisher=]. | date=12 September 2002}}</ref> |
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=== Primary Defeat === |
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In 2002, McKinney was defeated in the Democratic ] by ], then a DeKalb County ]. McKinney protested the result in court, claiming that ] in the mostly-Democratic district had participated in the Democratic primary to vote against McKinney in revenge for her anti-Bush administration views and implied voter fraud. However, Georgia's election laws do not require voters to claim a ] when they register to vote, thus they can participate in whichever primary election they choose. |
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McKinney's controversial statements regarding 9/11 are widely considered to have led to her defeat. McKinney's reported support of ] causes and her anti-] stance also drew the ire of pro-Israel lobbying groups, who donated money to Majette during the primary. On the night before the primary election, McKinney's father stated on Atlanta television that "]s have bought everyone" in the election. <ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/baroneweb/mb_020829.htm | title=Lessons from Rep. Cynthia McKinney's defeat, by Michael Barone | publisher=]. | date=29 August 2002}}</ref> |
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== Between terms == |
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On September 9th, 2004, McKinney participated as a Commissioner in the ]. On Oct. 26, 2004, she was among 100 prominent Americans and 40 family members of those killed on 9/11 the signed the ] statement calling for new investigations of what they perceived as unexplained aspects of the 9/11 events including allegations of failure of US intelligence to act on warnings of upcoming attacks, the breakdown of military air defense, and omissions and distortions in the official investigations. |
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== Return to Congress == |
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Throughout 2003 and 2004, McKinney toured America and much of ] speaking of her defeat, her opposition to the ], and the Bush administration. Although speculation suggested that she was considering a run as the ] nominee for the ], McKinney declined in January 2004 to focus on regaining her congressional seat. |
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Majette declined to run for reelection to the House, opting instead to become a candidate to replace retiring ] ], a ] Democrat who often sided with the Republicans. McKinney instantly became the favorite in the Democratic primary, which was viewed as the real contest in the heavily Democratic 4th. Those who opposed McKinney were unsuccessful in clearing the field for an opponent that could later defeat her in a ]. |
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McKinney received enough votes to avoid a runoff, hence all but assuring her return to Congress after only two years. However, the ] did not restore seniority. |
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McKinney hosted the first delegation of Afro-Latinos from Central and South America and worked with the World Bank and the U.S. State Department to recognize Afro-Latinos. She stood with Aboriginals against Australian mining companies; and with the U'wa people of Colombia in their fight to save their sacred land from oil rigs. |
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=== 9/11 commission and government secrecy issues === |
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Initially, McKinney was low-key upon her return to Congress. However, on ], ], McKinney held a congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to address outstanding issues regarding the September 11, 2001 attacks.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.house.gov/mckinney/news/pr050722.htm | title=Press Release | publisher=Office of Rep. Cynthia McKinney | date=22 July 2005}}</ref> The day-long briefing featured family members of victims, former intelligence agency officials, noted authors, and other experts who collectively gave a searing indictment of the ] and its recommendations. First to speak were the ], an organization of 9/11 widows who endeavored to see the 9/11 Commission formed, only to conclude that it was "an insult to the intelligence of the American public," as member Lorie Van Auken described it in her opening statement. The four morning panels were meant to address flaws, omissions, and the lack of historical and political analysis in the commission's report. Three afternoon panels critiqued the commission's recommendations in the areas of foreign and domestic policy, and intelligence reform. An '']'' maintained that the purpose of the event was to discuss whether or not the Bush administration was involved in the 9/11 attacks, and was timed to coincide with the first anniversary of the 9/11 Commission's reports, expressing surprise that McKinney was once again taking on the issue which was widely believed to have been the one that cost her her House seat, yet the ''Journal-Constitution'' refused to publish McKinney's reply.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://list.nowar-paix.ca/pipermail/nowar/2005-August/000834.html | title="The 9/11 Commission Report One Year Later: A Citizens' Response – Did They,Get it Right?", by Cynthia McKinney | publisher=NOWAR/PAIX. | date=9 August 2005}}</ref> |
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McKinney's interest in 9/11 relates specifically to her opposition to excessive government secrecy. She has submitted to Congress two versions of the same bill, the "MLK Records Act" (one in 2003, the other in 2005,) which, if signed into law, would release all currently sealed files concerning the ] assassination of ].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h2554ih.txt | title=Martin Luther King, Jr., Records Collection Act of 2005 | publisher=] | date=23 May 2005}}</ref> These records were sealed in ] and are not due to be declassified until the year 2038. Likewise, the 9/11 Commission has sealed all the notes and transcripts of some 2,000 interviews, all the forensic evidence, and both classified and non-classified documents used in compiling its final report until January, 2009. Documents relating to the death of rapper ], which McKinney has taken an active interest in, would also fall under this bill. In a statement, McKinney explained her reason for the bill: "The public has the right to know because he was a well-known figure. There is intense public interest in the life and death of Tupac Shakur.” Critics assert she is merely pandering to her power base. Others point out that legislation demanding release of records is a more direct route than the tedious process and limited scope of the ] (FOIA). |
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=== Hurricane Katrina and its responses === |
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McKinney has been an advocate for victims of ] and a critic of the government's response. |
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Despite the Democratic Party leadership's call for a boycott, McKinney has been an active participant in the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to ],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://katrina.house.gov/index.htm | title=A Failure of Initiative: The Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina | publisher=] | date=15 February 2006}}</ref> sitting as a guest along with only a few other Democrats. In questioning ] Secretary ], McKinney referred to a news story in which the owners of a nursing home were charged with negligent homicide for abandoning 34 clients who died in the flood waters, McKinney asked Chertoff: "Mr. Secretary, if the nursing home owners are arrested for negligent homicide, why shouldn't you also be arrested for negligent homicide?"<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ajc.com/search/content/auto/epaper/editions/thursday/news_3475a3b25396f1e10006.html | title=McKinney Roils Panel | publisher=] | date=20 October 2005}}</ref> |
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Another incident in the aftermath of Katrina attracted such attention that McKinney responded with a bill in Congress. Thousands of fleeing evacuees were turned away by the Gretna Police when they attempted to cross the Crescent City Connection Bridge between ] and ]. , introduced by McKinney on November 2, 2005, would temporarily deny Federal assistance to the City of Gretna Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Crescent City Connection Division Police Department in the State of Louisiana for their maltreatment of individuals seeking aid during the Hurricane Katrina crisis, and for other purposes. |
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Also introduced on November 2, 2005 was the Congressional Black Caucus' Omnibus Bill (HR 4197) to provide a comprehensive response to the Gulf Coast residents affected by ], the second title of which was submitted to the Congressional Black Caucus by McKinney and seeks a Comprehensive Environmental Sampling and Toxicity Assessment Plan, or CESTAP, to minimize harm to Gulf Coast residents from the toxic releases into the environment caused by the hurricane.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h4197ih.txt | title=Hurricane Katrina Recovery, Reclamation, Restoration, Reconstruction and Reunion Act of 2005 | publisher=] | date=2 November 2005}}</ref> On ], 2005, McKinney had already introduced a longer version of this language as the first of two titles in , the second title of which would establish household inspections for mold and other toxins in the wake of Katrina. (The title dealing with mold inspections was first introduced in the Senate by Sen. ] (]-]) as Title XI of .) |
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At the request of McKinney, the , chaired by ] held a previously unscheduled hearing titled "Voices Inside the Storm" on December 6, 2005. The first of two panels attracted national attention when several African-American evacuees from New Orleans stated their belief that the disaster relief planning for the hurricane and flood would have been better if the victims had been mostly white, and reported nightmarish stories of their treatment at the hands of police and military authorities. Broadcast live on ], the hearing received national media attention (including stories from , , and an story that was republished widely). On December 7th, ]'s ] in an with former Presidents ] and ], Bush Sr. said "I would discount somewhat the charge" of racism, in response to a video clip from the December 6th hearing. |
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=== Anti-war, human rights, and impeachment efforts === |
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On November 18, 2005, McKinney was one of only 3 (out of 406) to vote for a H.R. 571, introduced by Rep. ]. Hunter, a Republican, offered this Resolution calling for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq in place of ]'s H.J.Res. 73, which called for redeployment "at the earliest possible date." In her , McKinney accused the Republicans of "trying to set a trap for the Democrats. A 'no' vote for this Resolution will obscure the fact that there is strong support for withdrawal of US forces from Iraq ... In voting for this bill, let me be perfectly clear that I am not saying the United States should exit Iraq without a plan. I agree with Mr. Murtha that security and stability in Iraq should be pursued through diplomacy. I simply want to vote yes to an orderly withdrawal from Iraq." |
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Rep. McKinney is a co-sponsor of Rep. ]'s H. Res 635, which would create a Select Committee to look into potential grounds for the ] of ]. On January 20th, 2006, she also signed a statement by the group ] called ''Drive Out the Bush Regime.'' |
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McKinney has served on the House International Relations Committee, where she was the highest-ranking Democrat on the Human Rights Subcommittee. McKinney felt that it was important that US policy reflect a deep respect for human rights, so she worked on legislation to stop conventional weapons transfers to governments which are undemocratic or fail to respect human rights. Her legislation to end the mining of coltan in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was mentioned in a United Nations special report{{fact}}. |
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=== Sponsored legislation === |
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First introduced in 2001, will establish the ] National Heritage Area in Georgia and provide a management plan for the Area. Under the law, the use of federal funds to acquire land or an interest in the land of the Area is prohibited. More recently, McKinney sponsored , which would rename the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building after ], and , "To provide for the expeditious disclosure of records relevant to the life and death of Tupac Amaru Shakur. " |
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==Altercations with Police== |
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After an incident in ] when she had an altercation with an ] officer, a picture of her was posted for all officers since she refuses to wear a security pin identifying her as a member of Congress. There have been four more incidents since, including one involving a complaint that ] security officials mistook her 23-year-old white aide for her.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060330-120057-3228r | title=Rep. McKinney has 5th run-in with security | publisher=] | date=30 March 2006}}</ref><ref name="repwhocriesracism" /> |
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On the morning of ], ], McKinney allegedly struck a United States Capitol Police officer with her cell phone after he allegedly grabbed her arm as she went around the metal detectors at the entrance to the ] after failing to stop at the officer's request. Members of Congress have identifying lapel pins and are not required to pass through metal detectors. McKinney says she was not wearing her pin that morning, but did show her Congressional identification badge and that the police responsible for protecting lawmakers should recognize them on sight. The incident is currently under investigation. According to reports, the police officer is planning to file charges. McKinney was thought to have been possibly arrested once the Congress adjourned for the day, but charges have yet to be filed. McKinney's attorney, James Myart spoke in a March 31 news conference, said he will also ask that the officer involved be criminally investigated for inappropriately touching the congresswoman. Myart went on to say the case typified a pattern of police harassment of black Americans. "My belief is this is no different than that: 'they all look alike'.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/01/washington/01mckinney.html?hp&ex=1143867600&en=835873a1fa14d089&ei=5094&partner=homepage | title=Congresswoman Accuses Capitol Police Officer of Racial Bias | publisher=] | date=1 April 2006 | author=Carl Hulse}}</ref> |
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U.S. Capitol Police Chief ] said an interview with CNN that racism was not a factor. "I've seen our officers stop white members and black members, Latinos, male and females." "It's not an issue about what your race or gender is. It's an issue about making sure people who come into our building are recognized if they're not going through the magnetometer, and this officer at that moment didn't recognize her." "It would have been real easy, as most members of Congress do, to say here's who I am or do you know who I am?" Gainer added. |
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McKinney has garnered little support among fellow Democrats in her feud with the Capitol police. No one in her party chose to join her at a news conference to discuss the situation. |
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McKinney made a brief statement on her behalf in ] on March 31: "Let me be clear, this whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman. I deeply regret this incident occurred, and I am certain that after a full review of the facts, I will be exonerated." On ], ], assistant ] Channing Phillips announced that Capitol Police have referred the incident to his office for further investigation.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=73508 | title=McKinney incident referred to U.S. Attorney's Office | publisher=]}}</ref> On ], the ] reported that, according to an unnamed source, the case will soon be referred to a federal ].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060406/ap_on_go_co/mckinney_scuffle_25 | title=Grand Jury to Hear McKinney Run-In Case | publisher=]}}</ref> |
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On April 6, 2006, the Associated Press reported that McKinney had expressed "sincere regret" for the altercation and offered an apology to the House. What McKinney called a "misunderstanding" on April 6, she had labeled "racial profiling" and "inappropriate touching" a day earlier. For nearly a week, she and her lawyers had insisted she had been assaulted and had done nothing wrong. She is black and the police officer is white.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060406/ap_on_go_co/mckinney_scuffle | title=Congresswoman in Capitol Fight Apologizes | publisher=]}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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<references /> |
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==External links== |
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* |
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* newsmeat.com |
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* - November 5, 1999, JewishTimes.com |
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* Counterpunch, August 21, 2002 |
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* . Quicktime Video. 11:30 minutes. Directed by Stephen Marshall. ]. 2003. Retrieved May 12, 2005. |
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* Cynthia McKinney on '']'': |
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:* - August 12th, 2002 |
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:* - August 21st, 2002 |
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:* - April 16th, 2003 |
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:* - July 19th, 2004 |
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:* - December 9th, 2005 |
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* H.R. 2297: To establish the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, and for other purposes |
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* - May 23, 2005 |
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* - October 25, 2005 |
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* Reaffirming the continued importance and applicability of the Posse Comitatus Act - October 25, 2005 |
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* - November 2, 2005 |
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* To temporarily deny Federal assistance to the City of Gretna Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Crescent City Connection Division Police Department in the State of Louisiana for their maltreatment of individuals seeking aid during the Hurricane Katrina crisis, and for other purposes - November 2, 2005 |
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* - Atlanta Journal Constitution, October 20, 2005 |
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* - Final Call, November 18, 2005 |
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* - Atlanta Journal Constitution, November 24, 2005 |
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* (CNN) |
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{{GA Federal Representatives}} |
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