How to Admit You’re Wrong

The Politico's Crypt blog is reporting that Representative Christopher Shays (R-Conn), had an altercation with a Capitol police officer.

On Thursday afternoon, Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) got into a loud, angry dispute with a U.S. Capitol Police officer at the security checkpoint inside the entrance of the West Side of the Capitol. On Friday, Shays, a veteran lawmaker, offered a public apology for the incident and said that he wants to meet with the officer personally to reiterate how sorry he is.

Shays reportedly grabbed the officer during the dispute over whether the officer should allow a group of tourists to enter the building, said several sources. Tourists are not allowed to use the West Front entrance, but Shays was trying to bring the group through that entrance anyway. The officer refused to allow them in, and Shays then "yelled and screamed" at the officer, including using profanity, the sources said.

 

Update - here's a Capitol Police report on the incident:

"On Thursday, July 19, 2007, a United States Capitol Police officer had an interaction with Congressman Christopher Shays on the West Front of the Capitol wherein the Congressman acted in a manner that was inappropriate.

"The officer took offense to the manner in which the Congressman spoke to him and said that the Congressman also reached out and touched his nametag.

Shays issued the following statement:

"Yesterday while trying to locate a family of constituents caught on the West Front of the Capitol during a rain storm, I interacted with a Capitol Police officer in a way I know was not appropriate.

"Although my focus was in trying to locate my constituents and get them to a dry location, I know I clearly could have handled the situation with the officer in a more professional and respectful way, and I regret I did not do so.

"During my 19 years in Congress I have grown to respect and appreciate the difficult mission performed by the men and women of the United States Capitol Police every day. They ensure members of Congress can conduct the people’s business in the safest environment possible while also attending to the needs of the millions of people who visit our nation’s Capitol every year. They deserve all of our respect and admiration and I apologize that even for a few moments my behavior did not reflect my appreciation of that fact.

"When I return to Washington on Monday, I hope to have the opportunity to meet with the officer and apologize to him in person. I take full responsibility for this incident and want to ensure it does not reflect negatively on the officer in any way."

The Crypt invokes the Cynthia McKinney incident. But hold on a second, let's compare reactions by the offending Congressman:

"Let me be clear. This whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman," McKinney said. "I deeply regret that this incident occurred."

"Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, like thousands of average Americans across this country, is, too, a victim of the excessive use of force by law enforcement officials because of how she looks and the color of her skin," [said James W. Myart Jr., one of McKinney’s lawyers].

More here, here, here, here and here. McKinney did not "touch the officer's nameplate", she hit the officer with a closed fist. And she never, to my knowledge, acknowledged that she was wrong - only a "regret" for the escalation. That is not an apology and is not an admission of wrongdoing. Advantage: Shays. He was wrong, he admitted it and he has taken full responsibility. Not tried to blame something like racism for the incident. I wouldn't know Shays if I tripped over him, but he handled this with infinitely more class than McKinney ever did.

Other Links to this Post

1. Sister Toldjah » Rep. Christopher Shays has confrontation with Capitol Hill police officer — Friday, 20 July , 2007 @ 9:01 pm