I’m Caucasian, I’d never even heard of Cynthia McKinney until a few days ago, and I’m not a big fan of her chip-on-shoulder politics. I’m also disgusted by some of the discussion now swirling around her.

Some background: she’s the first black Congresswoman from somewhere in Georgia. Congressfolks don’t have to pass through metal detectors, and the Capitol Hill police recognize them as they beetle on by. Except in McKinney’s case, one didn’t recognize her, grabbed her arm, coming up from behind I believe, and she swung round and hit him on the chest. Major flap instead of just apologies all around.

That was El Stupido reaction #1.

Then the Capitol Hill police start talking about charges for assault, or something. El Stupido reaction #2.

The flap builds. McKinney apologizes for her part in it from the House floor. A good idea. Better late than never.

Then I see a news report somewhere (Scripps?) with a headline that it’s time for her to go. She should resign her seat and go back to Georgia, or something. Hello? This is the same Congress that has members like Tom DeLay, Bob Ney, Duke Cunningham, and so on and on and on. But this is the first time I’ve bumped into a call for resignation almost as soon as the flap broke out. This is the same Congress that is selling the Constitution to make toilet paper, and the worst thing that has ever happened is an aggressive reaction on the part of a person caught by surprise. Give me a break.

Now–and this is what made me write this–I see a piece in the Washington Post examining . . . what? A history of similar incidents and people’s reactions? How the Capitol Hill Police have started “Recognize Your Congresspeople” classes? Why there was such an over-reaction to one person’s testiness? No.

The article is about how bad her hairstyle is.

Cynthia McKinney has appeared at a news conference with her “hair standing all over her head.” (Robin Givhan, Washington Post) McKinney’s spokesman was asked the penetrating question of whether the style had been done by a professional or the Congresswoman herself. “[D]ismissing queries about it seems a bit disingenuous, since so much of her public persona … has been based on her hair,” says the reporter.

(Yes, I’m sure. People in Georgia voted for her because they said, “Oh, wow, she has trouble with her hair too. Just like me. Send her to Congress.” Admittedly, people are supposed to have voted for Bush because he mangles words like a “regular guy,” so maybe there’s something in this.)

Apparently, McKinney changed her hairstyle and therefore the policeman didn’t recognize her.

Right. And all those black people look so much alike, y’know, I mean, how could you expect him to?

No larger issues here. Nothing to see. Move along. Talk about hair and clothes.

No wonder the Constitution is being shredded into waste paper.