The race-baiters are circling the wagons again. This time they're defending Rep. Cynthia McKinney, the firebrand radical who represents Georgia's 4th district.

As most of the world knows by now, McKinney has run into some serious legal trouble for taking a swipe at a Capitol police officer last Wednesday. McKinney had entered a House office building without her House ID badge. After flying through the security checkpoint, the officer on duty ordered her to stop several times. She didn't. Eventually the officer approached her to make a stop. When he placed his hand on her, McKinney swung around and smacked him.

Naturally the Capitol Police Department is a bit peeved at having one of its officers assaulted. But more importantly, since the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the anthrax scares later, security agencies in and around Washington are naturally on a higher level of alert. You can only imagine what could have happened had McKinney been a terrorist or even a garden-variety killer.

McKinney and her fellow travelers are playing the race card in hopes that the police department will cave. Fat chance. Instead, the PD has forwarded its report to the U.S. attorney's office with a recommendation that charges be filed.

It's highly unlikely that much will come of this, which is unfortunate. McKinney--and other arrogant people like her--have to be reminded that just because they make the laws doesn't mean they are above the law. If she were Jane Q. Public she'd be thrown in the clink in a heartbeat.

Perhaps the law as administered in Washington D.C. will be blind in this case. But don't hold your breath.