Republican Christopher Shays got into a shouting match with a Capitol Police Officer and reports are that he grabbed the officer. Shays has apologized for the incident and hopes to speak to the officer sometime next week. This incident reminds us of the Cynthia McKinney incident where she slapped a Capitol Police Officer. Of course, she immediately screamed racism and did not apologize for her actions until pressured by the Democrats who were anxious to recover the majority.
Should Shays be arrested for the incident? On any other day I would say he needs to face the same music that any other citizen would under similar circumstances. However, since the Capitol Police and the DC Grand Jury already determined that such acts are OK by dismissing McKinney’s outburst, the bar has been set and Shays should receive the established punishment, nothing.
The incident with McKinney showed that it was OK to abuse a police officer if you are a member of Congress. Shays should have the same standard applied to him. For anyone to ask for a different standard would demonstrate discrimination. This is what happens when we refuse to follow the law ans when we allow our elected officials to live above the law. Of course, the Capitol Police do not do themselves any favors by treating members of Congress like royalty as they did with Patrick Kennedy. If everyone in Congress were held to the same standards as the rest of us there would be no special treatment.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out especially given that Shays was immediately repentant as opposed to Cop Socker McKinney.
Source:
The Politico
