Your headlines soft-peddle the allegations. They should say "Congressman Charged with Assault and Battery." Why the light touch?

Well, the fact that the police wouldn't charge him says something about what they thought of the charges....

If the police didn't witness the incident, and the complainant hadn't filed charges yet, the police wouldn't arrest him at that time.

If he is supposedly charged with pushing her arm aside, and refusing to leave an area, then shouldn't the airport be pressing charges initially? I wonder whether the employee knew who she was talking with beforehand and is pressing charges only because of who he is? Is the arm broken, bruised, scraped??? I think things are getting to the point of ridiculous now in airport behavior in all areas. It makes you never want to fly again.

The fact you can file charges because someone "pushed aside" an "outstrecthed arm" is really quite ridiculous. That's a crime that requires a court hearing and the time and cost associated?

My tax dollars at work.

"Hey, I'm a big deal member of Congress and the rules don't apply to me!"

More arrogant, boorish conduct from one of our members of Congress. I hope that employee presses charges--and you know it's on video if it happened at the airport.

And, by the way, notwithstanding some of the above observations, anyone who did what Filner is described as doing has commited battery.

Battery is a crime against person and should not be downplayed. The alledged victim in this incident was acting in an official capacity; i.e., working the job.

Please don't try to excuse idiotic--and, apparently, illegal--behavior.

I've had airlines temporarily lose my bags and then deliver them to my door. I learned the hard way to always carry on for short stay trips and for those items that were most important to me. While we're about the same age this guy travels a lot more than I ever will and he hasn't learned this yet? No wonder he's a congressman, he's too dumb for the real world.

Mary Ann doesn't seem to have the sickness.

Let me explain to you why it is slow people drive in the fast lane . . . no let me tell you who it is that drives slow in the fast lane: take a look. It is an inherited sickness. The man is mentally ill. Enough of the blindfolds already. Don't put someone who is not like you, who does not care about your interests and who is uncapable of securing them in a postion of power. Do not align yourself with this person or his type -- and yes he does have a "type". Or you will become him. It is a sick self image. It cannot be repaired.

OK, I have no idea of the actual circumstances here, but I do know that if you or I did something like that - push an airport security person's arm - there would be no hesitation in detaining us and filing charges against us.

'Thirukkural', 2000 year old Tamil literary couplet says,
"Anger is harmful against the strong; it is even more harmful against the weak."
(Kural #302) www.thirukkural2005.org

It's an airport. I'm sure they've got footage of the incident.

I think that I wuold like to see the incident for myself, before I would pass judgement. Also, if just pushing someone's arm aside is considered battery, then what's next? I guess we should be afraid to tap someone on the shoulder and ask for the time..........it may be considered assault.

Typical democrat arrogance. During my service (WWII) a visit to the troops by any body resembling Filmer,filner ... (whatever from CA) might have elicited greater scorn than demonstrated by Dulles airport OFFICIALS,and even a right smart blow to the offending arm of the politician.

Guess you never listened to Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter. Now that's arrogant. It's not a political issue. Let's not make it one. People need to come together, not grow further apart.

Ho Hum, another boondoggle junket by a politician for publicity. Glad hand a few generals and enlisted men, get pictures taken in a safe secure area. Then come back to the US with 'a new understanding' and a plan to end the war (don't get your hopes up). You could do a real service to your readers by publishing a list of every politicians junket or 'fact finding' trip they are taking.

Consider the perspective of one of Filner's constituents, as I am: This 65-y.o.-going-on-15 has acted up before, most recently when he swore at two witnesses testifying before one his staged committee hearings. His permissive mindset is ridiculously out of touch with his constituents, and he owes his seat to gerrymandering and the unions, if not the failure of local GOPers to run and support a credible challenger. His practice of keeping his wife on his campaign staff payroll won't come to an end until the law Congress recently passed banning that practice takes effect. In short, he's an arrogant smokestack Democrat whom HRC is proud to count among her foremost supporters. Here's to his trip to Iraq - no open arms will greet him there - becoming his Waterloo!

CA51ST- whatwould have said if he were a republican?

At no point do I notice a comment that Filner, Congressman or not

Sorry, my post was cut off.

At no point do I notice a comment that Filner, Congressman or not, entered a secure area without authorization. Isn't this a felony? If I, or any other "common" citizen did this we'd be hauled off to jail, not allowed to continue on our merry way.

The employees at the airports have ruined flying.

This Filner constituent is a fan. He has a great progressive voting record.
Bob is known for a bit of a temper. His campaign slogan is "Fighting for Us"- and he consistently fights for better schools, better health care, and the interests of his district,the country, and individuals.

At 18, Bob was arrested as a Freedom Rider in Jackson, Mississippi - and spent several months in prison.
He's spent a lot of years fighting for justice. The 51st District was gerrymandered in Sacramento a few years ago by a political opponent (Democrat)who hoped to win the seat by swinging the demographics. Filner won primary and re-election easily - with wide local support.

He voted against authorization of military force in Iraq, has "stormed the doors" of a federal detention center to call for the release of a unjustly held detainee, works hard for his constituents, is a red dog democrat, is a feminist of long standing, is sponsoring legislation to close Guantanamo detention center, and generally will fight for the underdog.

Difficult for me to imagine him "raising a hand" to an airline employee, but not at all difficult to imagine him striding toward a destination and ignoring an arm shoved in his path.

Bob is a dedicated public servant and legislator - too few of them. If I were arrested/detained unjustly in this country or abroad, there is noone I'd rather have on my side.

To "STEVE" who thinks because the guy wasn't arrested means nothing was thought to have happened by the police I have one question,where to you live under a rock? Do you REALLY believe that? I hope that whoever you think would make a good president doesn't get elected. Jesus, what a dreamer!

To "UNITEDSUCKS", am I mistaken or haven't you been around awhile? You need to get a life and find something else to do besides spend your entire life bashing and airline and its employees. Ever think of buying a blowup doll?

Maybe Leona Helmsley's evil sprit has arisen to steal a congressmans body. Surely that was not a mature 65 year old congressman abusing a little person doing their job to pay taxes that pay for his junket. I'm certain that this evil spirit, Leona Filner, will make-up for the slight problem with this jumped-up little person. The private flight to Iraq should have all cloying, scraping and bowing service to which she has become accustom. Leona Filner will not have to hold her breath and stamp her feet on this flight.

Ya know closer, some of us really get tired of seeing the term "progressive" applied instead of the word "liberal". To people who really know what's going on Filner is fighting for teachers unions, increasing the take for the medical industry, and pork barrel earmark spending for special interests in his district, all at taxpayer expense. So called progressives are hell bent on making sure that productive members of society become a minority in America as they tax them out of existence. Whenever I see the term "progressive" applied to an individual, it is generally safe to substitute "bleeding heart liberal".

As a Veteran I know Bob Filner really does fight for us. As the chairman of the Veteran Affairs Committee he does not hesitate to ask the questions that I want asked of government officials. He may have a hot temper but thats somewhat what I want representing me in congress, not some 'push over'. Theres no way out of being scrutinized, the right media needs something to distract them from republican scandals and corruption. Liberal or progressive, they are the ones that move America forward, like out of depression and segregation.

Another example of do what I say not what I do. Typical politician that thinks he is above the law! Outrageous!

Fly through Washington DC at your own risk. This is similar to when the police beat up a girl at Reagan National Airport in DC. They assaulted this girl and gave her a serious brain injury and made her entire body black and blue. Then they arrested HER and charged her with a made up crime to cover up the police brutality. The airport police are supposed to be there to protect us from terrorists, not beat up and harass young women, mothers and Congressmen. I seriously doubt this congressman who devoted his entire life to public service assaulted anyone! Fly through Washington DC at your own risk.

Hey Frank, it was a war that moved us out of the depression and the Democraps were most resistent to eliminating segregation, not the Repulsicans. And are you implying that only Repulsicans are corrupt or scandalous? Shows how objective you are.

R man, I'm not saying Democrats brought us out of depression and segregation I'm saying progressives (or liberals if you like). They haven't 'taxed you out of existence' yet have they? But if you think Republicans were less opposed to segregation than why did all the southern blacks join the Democrats after the civil rights movement?

Right now there are more Republican Congressmen under scrutiny right now for corrupt practices than Democrats. Republicans: Don Young, Ted Stevens, Bob Livingston, Tom DeLay, Duncan Hunter, Duke Cunningham, John Doolittle. Democrats: William Jackson and Bob Filner now I guess too. So not ONLY republicans but more of them.

Also you should only be critical of someone not being objective when you are trying to be objective yourself.

Frank, what I don't like is liberals calling themselves or some of the ideas they put forward as "progressive" as a subterfuge to make something of dubious value look good. There are politicians who introduce legislation because they actually believe it is the right thing to do. They also introduce legislation that is for special interests or their own self interest that is tailored to look like they care about the country or their consitituents. I have little trust in career politicians of any stripe. That's why I call them Democraps and Repulsicans. We don't know what goes on in the back room discussions among the power brokers who ultimately make or influence decisions. You can trust them if you like, but don't give credence to anyone simple based on a party or idealogical label. I'm for term limits on all federal representative offices. This in my view is the biggest flaw in the Constitution. Career politicians more interested in staying in office and gaining power than in the national good are a pox on all of us. They just might be a little more interested in doing the right thing and and less tempted to become corrupt if their time was limited.

P.S. I'm also of the opinion that lawyers should not be permitted to hold any official government position other than as staff attorneys in government agencies. A person goes to law school, becomes an attorney and eventually learns to circumvent the law. They then become legislators and write laws they can circumvent, become executives knowing how to circumvent the laws they are supposed to enforce, or become judges who know how to structure decisions that circumvent the law. If this seems cynical to you, you betcha.

Sure term limits have some merit. But thats what California did for the same reasons and our problems have only be made worse. The state leadership does not know how to get things done in a timely fashion so everything is now more dysfunctional.

Do you know who I am? I am a US congressman. I made laws to benefit myself and other congressman. I am law-maker = above the law. Now go get a life for yourself your little low life punk. Meanwhile let me enjoy my nascar moment.

Dang, you're right, since I couldnt beat them I should have joined them. I've missed out on the fine wine, Cuban cigars, lewd, luscious ladies and cruelty that make politics so much fun.

The people dissing on Bob obviously don't know him or his record....

4-19-07: Today, Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Bob Filner (D-CA) announced an ambitious agenda focused on providing funds for the warrior, reaching out to American's veterans and providing Congressional oversight with results. In the first 100 days of the 110th Congress, the Committee worked with individuals and organizations to take the first steps to honor our commitment to our veterans.

"This Congress has demonstrated that Democrats recognize veteran's health care as a cost of war," said Chairman Filner. "In February, we passed a Continuing Resolution that included $3.6 billion above the 2006 baseline. Then the House passed a Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2007 that included $3.4 billion for key veterans programs." On March 29, the House passed a budget for 2008 that would increase funding for VA health care by $6.6 billion of 2007 figures - the largest annual increase in VA health care in 77 years. The Committee is committed to addressing the serious shortfalls that exist in a VA budget that has suffered years of funding neglect.

Money talks, right? (Jake, you really ought to do more homework on a person before you dismiss them out of hand. Democrat Filner is cleaning up after 12 years of Republican abuse of veterans.)

On a personal note, Congressman Bob Filner is the only public official I HAVE EVER SEEN out on the streets talking to homeless people to get a sense of what is really going on out there, particularly with the homeless vets.

I would personally rather have a bulldog fighting for me than some namby-pamby push-over who can't stand up for anything. Before you bad-mouth Bob, get your facts straight.

Whether Congressman Filner is a Democrat or Republican is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is, this man has dedicated his entire life to public service, and was visiting out troops in Iraq. The DC Airport Authority is making it a practice to beat up, harrass, arrest and place false charges on ordinary, non-criminal citizens. Its shameful that Congressman Filner can be arrested for bogus charges, girls can be beaten and have bogus charges against them (the girl who was beaten and given a concussion at Reagan National Airport), and even mothers and babies can be harassed and threatened with criminal prosecution (the sippy cup terrorist). There needs to be a major investigation into these illegal practices at the DC Area airports.

Filner has done this before:

"Report claims Filner pushy in '03 incident"

By Marcus Stern
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

August 22, 2007

WASHINGTON - Rep. Bob Filner's alleged altercation with an airline employee in Virginia on Sunday, which led to an assault-and-battery charge against the San Diego Democrat, wasn't his first such run-in, according to a 2003 Justice Department incident report.

The report alleges that Filner went to an immigration detention facility in El Centro at 6 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2003, and demanded to see a detainee. After officers told him he could not enter the facility, he slipped past them into a secure area and refused to leave when ordered to do so. He then tried unsuccessfully to push his way past detention officers to get farther inside the facility, according to the report.

Filner became argumentative and the detention officers called El Centro police. The police came to the facility, but no charges were filed, according to the report. Filner eventually was allowed to visit with the Pakistani detainee. The congressman apologized to the immigration officers on his way out of the facility, the report said.

The allegations are similar in nature to those made after Sunday's Dulles International Airport incident. A United Airlines baggage employee said Filner pushed his way past her extended arm and entered a restricted area. The airport police were summoned. They interviewed Filner, the airline employee and witnesses, but did not detain Filner.

However, the airline employee, whose identity has not been disclosed, appeared before a Loudon County, Va., magistrate later Sunday night and a summons was issued charging Filner with a misdemeanor count of assault and battery.

Filner, 64, is to appear in court Oct. 2 in connection with the charge. The eight-term congressman left the country Monday morning on an official trip to Iraq and it was unclear if he had been served with the summons before departing. His office released a statement Monday calling the charges "ridiculous" and saying he would address them more fully when he returns.

Amy Pond, his spokeswoman, did not respond to several calls placed to her yesterday in connection with both incidents.

Copley News Service learned of the 2003 report from Mike Giorgino, a Republican who ran against Filner in 2004, after he read about the alleged Dulles altercation.

An immigration official yesterday said she remembered the incident in El Centro.

"I recall a report being filed after the incident," said Lauren Mack, spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in San Diego. She declined to elaborate.

The author of the two-page report, supervisor Juan J. Ramirez, wrote that he had been summoned by other officers to the facility's foyer because Filner was there with the wife of a detainee and two reporters. The group wanted to see the detainee. Ramirez told Filner he would have to wait while they obtained permission for him to visit the detainee, adding that they were seeking it in an "expedited" manner.

"Congressman Filner did not accept my response and told me he had the right to see anybody he pleased," Ramirez wrote. "He asked me when was the last time I read the Constitution and then told me if I did not let him see his constituent, he would have me arrested."

The report went on to say that later Filner asked a detention officer, "Are you going to stop me, big man?" and to another, he asked, "Are you going to shoot me, are you going to arrest me?"

A short time later, Ramirez wrote, "I saw Congressman Filner force his way into control area." Ramirez and seven other officers tried to persuade Filner to return to the foyer.

"I am a congressman and can do whatever I want," Ramirez quoted Filner as saying.

When Ramirez headed to his office to call his supervisor, Filner tried to follow.

"Congressman Filner tried to push his way through the officers and even tried to go under them, but did not succeed," Ramirez wrote.

Eventually, Filner was allowed in to see the detainee.

As he was leaving, he apologized to Ramirez.

"He accepted responsibility for his actions and admitted handling the situation improperly," Ramirez wrote.

Mary Ann--who's going to cover the Filner arraignment (or whatever) tomorrow (October 2, Tuesday)?

A video clip would be nice.

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