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.

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)

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?

"Holier Than Thou"

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?

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.

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.

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.

Nothing?

Surprise, surprise...

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!

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

We're redeploying from Iraq when?

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

Doesn't remember grabbing the officer huh?