Tom Kovach
Give that officer a raise!
By Tom Kovach
To avoid more accusations of "racism," the ice had to be broken by a Black writer. And, now that Erik Rush has broken the ice with his column, "McRacist or just plain McCrazy?," more needs to be said about the confrontation between Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and an officer of the US Capitol Police.
Mr. Rush has done a fine job of highlighting the race-baiting, class warfare, and "victimhood" that have characterized both the incident and the attitude that produced it. So, there is little need for me to analyze Ms. McKinney, her actions during the incident, nor her attempts at spin control after the incident. In fact, Mr. Rush did such a good job that I sent him an e-mail to congratulate him. Much of this column borrows from the text of that e-mail.
As a former USAF Security Policeman, I have had to challenge many high-ranking officers as they approached sensitive facilities. As a general rule, the Air Force only requires that a sentry facially recognize the members of his immediate chain of command. (That generally involves no more than five to twelve people, including the President.) Everyone else, no matter how many stars on his shoulders, is subject to being stopped — including an ID check, and possibly being searched — before being allowed to enter certain areas.
Congresswoman McKinney seems to feel that the Capitol Police (many of whom are former SPs) should be required to facially recognize 535 members of the House and Senate, plus their staffers. But, some average people can't recognize their cousins at family reunions. At the same time, however, she apparently refuses to recognize the authority of a badge and a uniform, regardless of whose face is wearing them.
There is a legendary story of a young SP that aimed his rifle at a three-star general, after the officer disregarded an order to halt during an operational inspection. The following day, Airman Two-Stripe was called into his unit commander's office, and the general was also there. The general threw a set of Staff Sergeant stripes across the desk, and said, "Put these on in ten minutes, or don't bother." The officer from the Capitol Police should have been similarly rewarded for standing firm in the face of Congresswoman McKinney's obvious grandstanding.
I have personally stopped a three-star general (initials: TGR), who was bicycling on the flight line in civilian clothes on a weekend morning. It was shortly after a change of command (previous commander's initials: CGC), and I had not yet met the new commander. He was not the least bit bothered by me challenging him, and said that he was glad to know that I was doing my job properly. Given that he had been involved in Special Operations before taking command of Air University, I'm quite confident that he was far more deserving of recognition than a grandstanding politician. Yet, he was remarkably humble. That was a trait that was shared by many of the finest officers that I met during my military career. I still keep in touch with some of them. Back when I wore a uniform, it was called "leadership by example."
Mr. Rush's column correctly pointed out the "Don't you know who I am?" attitude that permeates the political Left. Perhaps that attitude, and the desire to bypass security checkpoints, also explains Ms. McKinney's peculiar style of dress. Although it helps her to "stand out," it does not help her to be "outstanding."
My hope is that, if I survive the election process this November, I will have an opportunity to personally congratulate that particular Capitol Police officer at some point after my inauguration in Washington. News accounts today stated that he now has an attorney from the Fraternal Order of Police, to protect him from any legal action. Even if he learns to recognize my face, I'll still follow the security procedures in place, because I know their value. As a freshman Congressman, it would be nearly impossible for me to have any direct impact upon his career. But, I could join the chorus of several conservatives in Congress to recommend, "Give that officer a raise!"
© Tom Kovach
To avoid more accusations of "racism," the ice had to be broken by a Black writer. And, now that Erik Rush has broken the ice with his column, "McRacist or just plain McCrazy?," more needs to be said about the confrontation between Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and an officer of the US Capitol Police.
Mr. Rush has done a fine job of highlighting the race-baiting, class warfare, and "victimhood" that have characterized both the incident and the attitude that produced it. So, there is little need for me to analyze Ms. McKinney, her actions during the incident, nor her attempts at spin control after the incident. In fact, Mr. Rush did such a good job that I sent him an e-mail to congratulate him. Much of this column borrows from the text of that e-mail.
As a former USAF Security Policeman, I have had to challenge many high-ranking officers as they approached sensitive facilities. As a general rule, the Air Force only requires that a sentry facially recognize the members of his immediate chain of command. (That generally involves no more than five to twelve people, including the President.) Everyone else, no matter how many stars on his shoulders, is subject to being stopped — including an ID check, and possibly being searched — before being allowed to enter certain areas.
Congresswoman McKinney seems to feel that the Capitol Police (many of whom are former SPs) should be required to facially recognize 535 members of the House and Senate, plus their staffers. But, some average people can't recognize their cousins at family reunions. At the same time, however, she apparently refuses to recognize the authority of a badge and a uniform, regardless of whose face is wearing them.
There is a legendary story of a young SP that aimed his rifle at a three-star general, after the officer disregarded an order to halt during an operational inspection. The following day, Airman Two-Stripe was called into his unit commander's office, and the general was also there. The general threw a set of Staff Sergeant stripes across the desk, and said, "Put these on in ten minutes, or don't bother." The officer from the Capitol Police should have been similarly rewarded for standing firm in the face of Congresswoman McKinney's obvious grandstanding.
I have personally stopped a three-star general (initials: TGR), who was bicycling on the flight line in civilian clothes on a weekend morning. It was shortly after a change of command (previous commander's initials: CGC), and I had not yet met the new commander. He was not the least bit bothered by me challenging him, and said that he was glad to know that I was doing my job properly. Given that he had been involved in Special Operations before taking command of Air University, I'm quite confident that he was far more deserving of recognition than a grandstanding politician. Yet, he was remarkably humble. That was a trait that was shared by many of the finest officers that I met during my military career. I still keep in touch with some of them. Back when I wore a uniform, it was called "leadership by example."
Mr. Rush's column correctly pointed out the "Don't you know who I am?" attitude that permeates the political Left. Perhaps that attitude, and the desire to bypass security checkpoints, also explains Ms. McKinney's peculiar style of dress. Although it helps her to "stand out," it does not help her to be "outstanding."
My hope is that, if I survive the election process this November, I will have an opportunity to personally congratulate that particular Capitol Police officer at some point after my inauguration in Washington. News accounts today stated that he now has an attorney from the Fraternal Order of Police, to protect him from any legal action. Even if he learns to recognize my face, I'll still follow the security procedures in place, because I know their value. As a freshman Congressman, it would be nearly impossible for me to have any direct impact upon his career. But, I could join the chorus of several conservatives in Congress to recommend, "Give that officer a raise!"
© Tom Kovach
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
