CNN

Those people who voted for Shays will lap up this bee in a bonnet media stunt. He is a tough, no nonsense man who will fight for his constituents, that will be the story rendered.

If this guy, Shays, can't keep his cool in such a trivial situation, how can we expect him to be a leader in our government? No class.

It is a sad day when I read all these comments about the officer in question knowing that there is not a single person here who knows the officer or the actual situation – only the situation as the press wants to portray it.

Number one: The officer was doing his job by not allowing the staffer to enter that particular entrance because for two reasons, the security of the building and a pervasive feeling of entitlement by a good chunk of staffers/interns at the Capitol. I will not get into the security aspect as it should be obvious in this day and age (yes it is the "people's building" but terrorists know that also). To the entitlement issue – it seems one of the first things taught to staffers/interns is how to say "don't you know who I am." If a member wants to take a group anywhere in the building they are allowed and many staffers/interns beleive they should be able to also. Sorry if you don't rank as high as a member of congress – get over it and follow the rules which are put in place by the respective Seargant at Arm's Offices and only enforced by the Capitol Police.

Number two: The officer did not disallow the member from bringing in his group, he disallowed the staffer. The congressman only came out after the fact at which time had the congressman given the officer the chance he would have then allowed the group into the entrance but only in the presence of the congressman.

Number three: All the press reports that it was raining. It was maybe a slight drizzle for a couple minutes. I am sorry that they got slightly wet but there were large groups of people standing on the West front in the "rain" and they were not taking cover.

Number four: The talk of the officer not accepting a phone call is another case of people not knowing the Capitol Police and the building. The officials have made it clear that if you are seen on your phone you will be punished no matter if the phone call is personal, job-related or an emergency. Secondly, how is the officer to know that the person on the other line is actually the congressman. If the officer let the staffer in based on the word of someone over the phone there would be major implications for the officer if something did happen.

I am not even going to get into the comparisons between the Cynthia McKinney incident and this one. They are two totally different situations that were by two totally different people. I am not in any way saying Congressman Shays was right in any way but the situations are different. And for those that will scream the difference is race you are wrong.

DJ in L.A. writes, "That was a fight, Shays is lucky he wasn’t punched in the face and arrested on the spot"

That's the way things are done in LA, huh DJ? I can't IMAGINE why LA had the riots after the Rodney King debacle.

Keep the "good advice" coming! (eyes rolling)

As several previous posters have noted the police are here to serve the public. Not take crap from some Congressman who wants to be the big dog mind you but in this case Shays had every right to yell at a cop that was being a jerk just for the sake of being a jerk. Does ANYONE really think the officer would have been in trouble for taking the cell phone for a one minute conversation with a U.S. Congressman to advise him of where his constituents were on Capital grounds. There are two egos at work here ... the badge heavy cop who is going by the book for the sake of the book and the get my way or the highway congressman. They are both just officious asses. That’s why so many people in this country hate cops and find Congressmen so full of hypocrisy. Taking the high ground could and should have been more professional but so could the cop as public servant. Grabbing peoples clothing is asking for an ass whipping where I come from and to do it to a cop is just stupid, ask any bruised up would-be big shot down at the holding tank any night of the week.

Rep C. Shays' conduct was inappropriate in my opinion. Let us not use a double
standard!!!

What would happen if the next time Congressman Shays doesn't act quickly enough on an issue, or doesn't vote the right way on a bill, doesn't take someone's phone call, or doesn't break the "right" breakable rules of his job, a police officer -or anyone who doesn't like what he's done (or hasn't done)- grabbed him by the lapel and shouted him down, in public?

Would he be okay with that response? After all, by his actions, it appears that he considers this a reasonable thing to do.

For all of the Shays apologists out there:

Perhaps the next time Congressman Shays desires to humiliate someone he should simply ask for "Shays Apologists" to be the whipping boys. Right? Clearly you don't mind being humiliated in front of others, while doing your job professionally, do you?

Those who think his behavior is acceptable, should personally volunteer to be the congressman's punching bag. It is the only way to honor your beliefs and convictions and to do your part!

Otherwise the apologists might sound shallow and self-serving, heaping all of that weight on someone else's shoulders, as they sit in their easy chairs and condemn a policeman, for having done nothing wrong, right?

Typical of the current GOP regime... Maybe they should consider changing it from GOP to "HTT".

"Holier Than Thou"

Republicans have a disregard if not contempt for our system of government.
The contempt for Congress is more than evident. Shay's actions echo the sentiments those of Dick 'F-word' Cheney. Defer everything to the executive branch and then 'What Me Worry'

Perhaps the next time Congressman Shays doesn't act quickly enough on an issue, or doesn't vote the right way on a bill, doesn't take someone's phone call, or doesn't break the "right" breakable rules of his job, a police officer -or anyone who doesn't like what he's done (or hasn't done)- should grab him by the lapel and shout him down, in public. After all that is the reasonable thing to do.

For all of you Shays apologists out there:

Perhaps the next time Congressman Shays desires to humiliate someone he should simply ask for "you" to be the whipping boy? Right? Clearly you don't mind being humiliated in front of others, while doing your job professionally, do you?

Since you think his behavior is acceptable, you should personally volunteer to be the congressman's punching bag. It is the only way to honor your beliefs and convictions and to do your part!

You wouldn't want to sound shallow and self-serving, heaping all of that weight on someone else's shoulders, as you sit in your easy chair and condemn a policeman, for having done nothing wrong, right?

P.S.–How about disclosing the I.D. of a CIA employee as political payback & then using the "she's not a covert operative" loophole as a"legal" defense.

Why would someone on this blog possibly say the officer in question was unreasonable when the officer was simply following security protocol and doing his job? In addition, why would someone make such statements without knowing the exact context of the situation? The bottom line is that a supposedly professional, senior member of Congress illegally put his hands on an officer (to a much greater extent than the media reported) and will not be charged because of his position. This is something I suggest you NOT try at home as I guarantee if you are in a similar situation, you will be facing battery charges and a free ride in a squad car. Capital police have a difficult job protecting the most threatened structure in the world and a little respect from the people they are protecting isn't too much to ask. The story here is very clear. An arrogant, out-of-touch member of Congress did not get his way and threw a temper tantrum that crossed the line and caused him to act in an illegal way. Defending someone who does this and will not have to face any consequences for these actions is simply ludicrous.

That's not an apology. An apology is when you admit you were wrong and not make any excuses.

You can't use innocent people as punching bags to take out your personal problems on.

Shays should be charged with assault and removed from his position, forced to take anger management counseling. This type of hostile behavior should not be tolerated, especially in public office.

That was a fight, Shays is lucky he wasn't punched in the face and arrested on the spot.

That's why Republican's always love the "Rule of Law". A good lawyer can always wrap bad behavior into an exception to the "the law" & get what they want & feel holy about it at the same time. You know, like impeaching a President from the other party that you despise but claim you're upholding the Constitution at the same time. Or having States Rights U.S. Supreme Justices jump into a states recount procedure that was going quite well, to preserve the sanctity of a Presidential Election. Yes,like Dickens said,after seeing some pretty horrendous "legal" results in his times of Victorian London, "the law is an ass"!

Now when McKinney PUNCHED a cop many were saying she was being pointed out because she was black, boo hoo.

Did she apologize the next day or face any charges, don't think so?

The difference between us is when a Republican screws up (and he did) an apology is immediate, a black woman on the other hand received support and somehow the OFFICER was at fault, remember?

We won't even mention the Kennedy's as didn't one almost run down a few cops while only on sleeping pills (yeah right), you or I would have gotten a "drunk test on the spot", but not the "Do you know who I am" Kennedy's.

Moral of the story, they all suck and all think they are better than us.

You have every right to hammer Shay, but remember a demmie could be next.

A Repulican thinking they are above the law? Come on now, it just can't be!

Two men who are used to being in charge without having someone question them had a run in. Neither one wanted the other telling him what he could and could not do. It just sounds like two men who could not settle a now overblown silly situation.

When all of you can manage to control your anger in these postings, then you can direct others as to how they should control theirs.

Having worked in the criminal justice system for over 20 years, and can tell you without a doubt that the mere touching of another without their permission is simple battery punishable as a minor crime. The only reason that they are saying this incident is overblown is a male white republican instigated the crime. Had it been a minority democrat, I promise you they would be facing charges like Mckinney.

Ah, actually that's assault, Mr. Shays – grabbing someone by the labels like that, shouting obscenities at them? You've already passed the definition of assault regardless of how you try to compare it to another completely unrelated incident. What a pathetic attempt to distract people from the issue. It would be laughable if I knew people weren't going to fall for it, though.

Seems odd that when a woman does much the same thing much is made of it. Well there it goes again; what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander. lol

Another "above the law" republican – just following the lead of his party's President who has declared himself totally above the law. Perhaps this idiot will suffer the same fate as McKinney and get ousted in the next election.

I'm not a bit surprised at Shays's actions. There are simply some in power who believe they are above the law. Apologies are easy. I wonder what he is saying privately.

The police are supposedly here to serve the public. Congressman Shays had every right to yell at a cop that was being a jerk just for the sake of being a jerk. I mean seriously, is there any reasonable person that thinks the officer would have been in trouble for taking the cell phone for a one minute conversation with a U.S. Congressman to advise him of where his constituents were on Capital grounds. This has everything to do with the officer being completely unreasonable and then hiding behind his badge when someone called him on it. That's why so many people in this country hate cops. Representative Shays could have been more professional, true, but he certainly doesn't need to apologize for justifiably expecting a public servant to serve the public.

One more example of double-talk. An elected official is asked to follow rules and objects; and is empowered to legislate law and order?
The officer in question should be congratulated for not physically restraining this obnoxious ass. That would certainly have been within the confines of his duties.

Shays sounds like you pissed off libs maybe he should change partys lol.

It's another case of "Lets take out our anger on the Police or Security Guard!". Christopher Shays is nothing but a two bit jerk and I hope someday someone with less restraint decks him when he grabs at their name tag. That would be worth getting fired over.

So the officer refused to talk to Shays on the phone, then refused to let him bring tourists into the building to get out of the rain. I think I would yell at him too. I understand he had procedure's to follow, but a little flexibility in judgement wouldn't be a bad thing either. Isn't the U.S. Capitol supposed to be the "Peoples" building. If a Congressman can't bring tourists inside to get out of a rain storm I think we have a larger problem than Shays yelling at a cop. Looks like we have sacrificed the freedom to access our Capitol in place of security. If anything, that is the story here, not a politician throwing a tantrum.

Did Shays apologize for trying to itimidate and coerce a capitol police officer into breaking his oath of office? This officer is doing his best to follow regulations, to protect and defend, to enforce the capitol's security procedures, and shay's is trying to win brownie points with his consitituents and come-off looking like a big shot. What the heck? CNN, REPORT THE REAL STORY!!!!

Any "normal" person and they would have been arrested, but those idiots on the Hill are treated like gods. Why?

Another RepubliCON using the F Word...just like Cheney when he told Senator Leahy to "F-himself" when asked about something that has since proven to be true. These neocons lie, cheat, steal...then go to church to get their daily dose of "forgiveness"...a new brand of thug...the RepubliCONS.

If it had of been George Bush or Dick Cheney had the samething happen to them, they would have said presidential powers overrides the security officer and the security office would have been fired ASAP and no questions asked!

The Capitol Police Officer sounds like a real jerk, I'd be pissed at him too. I'm sure the policy on not taking phone calls means PERSONAL calls. HOW BOUT SOME HELP!

Congressman Shay needs some anger management classes.. This is Cynthia McKinney all over again. Another arrogant congress person thinking he entitled to be rude to anyone below his station. Let's all hope congressman Shay gets the same treatment as now EX congress woman KcKinney.

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney confrontation with Capitol Police drew nation wide media attention, video coverage, and required a public apology.

However, Congressman Shays is not recieving the same.

This is a clear illustration of when you are Black and stand up and speak out your castigated, and when you are white in Congress justice is blind.

Lets see what happens, prove me wrong.

He's exempt. As a democrat they have their own rules regarding conduct.

Hmmm. No grand jury investigation to decide whether or not to indict him on criminal charges? I seem to recall that's what Cynthia McKinney faced over a similar incident, and several GOP members were foaming at the mouth to punish her. What are we hearing from those same people now???

Nothing?

Surprise, surprise...

This story would not be a story unless the officer was an official member of an Oppressed Minority Group Who Has Been Oppresively Oppressed by the Evil White Men.

Someone ought to remind our elected officials in office that "leadership by example" works far better in the eyes of the public, than to resort to childish, self-important tantrums like this.

There is an obvious double standard with how the media chose to cover this. This is no different that what Cynthia McKinney went through, yet not only was she lynched by a demonic media, money poured into her district from out of state, filling the campaign chest of her opponent.

In my opinion the media is the long-arm of Satan itself, a liar of unmatched proportions. Editors, writers, anchor persons use of language designed to cast doubt, distort facts and design information that keeps us divided as a nation. Black against white, Hispanic against black, white against Hispanic, you get the point.

Those who consider themselves enlightened Americans who are confident that what they see IS what they see, not what some paid corporate stooge dictates from a studio prop set, must not fall victim to the true enemies of this nation. They (the administration and the media)should be put on trial for un-American activities (where's McCarthy when you need him?). They are cowering to foreign powers not located in the Middle East. Their minions don't even fully realize who they really are working for, and unfortunately it is nothing anyone can do but wait for it self-destruct.

Sleep Well!

What is that last part all about...sounded like the regular Republican bullying tactic to me, 'Shays also said that the point of his apology was “that I don’t want anything that I did to reflect on” the officer.'

Republicans...always trying to turn things around to take the heat off themselves.

In American today, our Law Enforcement is our Judge, Jury and Executioner, so you better not step out of line or act human around them or you may end up dead!

Wow! Chris is human. Next.

We're redeploying from Iraq when?

A few - far from all - Capitol Police officers tend to be a little sanctimoneous and have an overblown idea of their role. I'm surprised that several haven't been decked by Members because of their rude and less than helpful attitudes. Congressman Shays is to be complimented on his restraint.

What an idiot...he could have been cited for assault on a police office. You can't grab someone like that, especially not law enforcement that is just doing their job.

The Republicans are on a roll right now...another thug to add to the list.

Doesn't remember grabbing the officer huh?

[...] CNN: Republican Rep. Christopher Shays apologized Friday for a loud and angry altercation he had a day [...]

[...] a certain entrance to the Capitol building which they are barred from entering. This one happened on Thursday: Shays eventually found the group and went to them, but the police officer refused to allow them [...]