Israeli authorities recently arrested former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney aboard an aid ship headed for the Gaza Strip (see previous blog entry here). After her capture, the former B-rate Congresswoman compared her imprisonment to that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I think not.
Her career as a public servant in the United States gained little traction and lacked legitimacy. The proud state of Georgia failed to reelect the Congresswoman in 2002, by rejecting her bid in the Democratic party primary. The following election cycle, she barely managed to round-up enough votes for reelection before suffering another primary defeat in 2006. Her Congressional career- repeatedly halted by the residents of Georgia- boils down to three embarrassing moments: her insinuation that former President George W. Bush had prior knowledge of the 9/11 attacks, her assault of a Capitol police officer, and her championing the cause for an investigation into the murder of a rapper instead of advocating health care and education reform.
After being repeatedly rebuffed by the Democratic party in Georgia, McKinney sought refuge in the Green party, heading the party’s presidential ticket in 2008. According to the Federal Election Commission, she garnered approximately 160,000 votes, .12-percent. In a country of over 300 million people, topping the ticket for (arguably) the third most well known party in America, her candidacy remains a blip on only the most sensitive of political radars.
After two decades of lackluster public service, McKinney decided to attempt and champion international affairs and human rights. She boarded a boat with a bag of toys for Gaza’s children and violated (or at least intended to) the territorial waters of a sovereign nation. I agree with McKinney that Gazans need aid. They need food, medical supplies, and construction materials. Many of Gaza’s children would surely appreciate a loaf of bread more than a box of crayons.
In fact, Israel has a system in place to supply the people of Gaza with reconstruction materials and aid. The system itself could use reform and the IDF continues to embark on reviews of aid forbidden into the Strip. Instead of wasting money and time attempting to smuggle toys into Gaza, McKinney could focus her efforts on actually getting crucial supplies to the people of Gaza through proper channels.
Moreover, the ship McKinney boarded sought to violate a blockade on the Gaza Strip, which technically remains a part of the State of Israel. The United States would not allow any ship to freely pass into its territorial waters without at least attempting to intercept the vessel. Even Cuban refugees that are welcomed by the United States face a labyrinth of Coast Guard vessels intent on keeping them out.
Clearly, McKinney’s actions are only a photo opportunity and obtain media coverage on the conditions in Gaza. As a former presidential candidate and Congresswoman, she should have the resources and connections to build a grassroots organization that mobilizes Americans to raise awareness. Instead, she chose to get arrested while trying to deliver toys to people that need far more.
Cynthia McKinney is no Martin Luther King Jr. . Dr. King employed righteous tactics to raise awareness of inequality and discrimination. He effectively mobilized Americans and created genuine reform. Cynthia McKinney is merely wasting every one’s time.
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