Via On Call (and Wonkette), my favorite story of the week: Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-WWF) punched a Capitol Police officer this afternoon after he grabbed her by the arm.

Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) punched a U.S. Capitol Police officer today after he mistakenly pursued her for failing to pass through a metal detector.

Members are not required to pass through metal detectors and the officer, manning a position at Longworth House Office Building, apparently did not recognize McKinney and didn't see her Member pin.

The officer called out "Ma'am, Ma'am," in an attempt to stop her.

When the officer caught up to McKinney, he grabbed her by the arm.

McKinney pulled her arm away, swung around, cell phone in hand, and punched the officer square in the chest, according to the witness.

There's been no comment from McKinney's office yet, presumably because they can't get in touch with Katharine Armstrong.

Update, 3/31: McKinney explained her conduct by holding a press conference with Danny Glover. No word on whose idea that was, but here's hoping they've been fired. (In the Glover camp, I mean. McKinney's pretty much the mayor of Crazy Town at this point, so a press conference with the star of Angels in the Outfield can't really hurt.)

Breaking news... Andy Card resigning. Link when someone gets one up.

Update, 12:16 pm: Popular topic. A sampling: New York Times, Washington Post, AP, On Call, The Note, Kos, and Wonkette (with a motorcycle!).

Beetlejuice gets divorced:

A Muslim couple in India have been told by local Islamic leaders they must separate after the husband "divorced" his wife in his sleep, the Press Trust of India reported.

Sohela Ansari told friends that her husband Aftab had uttered the word "talaq," or divorce, three times in his sleep, according to the report published in newspapers on Monday.

When local Islamic leaders got to hear, they said Aftab's words constituted a divorce under an Islamic procedure known as "triple talaq." The couple, married for 11 years with three children, were told they had to split.

I love it that there's a name for it. "Triple talaq." Sick of your wife? Triple talaq her ass.

(And still catching up.) Newsday reported on Wednesday that Hillary Clinton was planning to vote against an immigration bill because of its... Biblical implications?

"It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures," Clinton said, "because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."

Now listen, Senator, I know you're trying to appeal to the heartland and everything, but let's be honest: Jesus was a freakin' scofflaw. Disturbing the peace, public drunkenness, solicitation, being a bit preachy... and I could go on. But I won't.

(Catching up.) John Boehner likes to party:

Brand-new disclosure reports filed with the FEC show that the new House majority leader, John Boehner of Ohio, or his representatives, spent $1,465 at Schneider's on Feb. 3. Just a day earlier, Boehner had been elected to the mighty leadership post, so a celebration was in order. The bill was paid by The Freedom Project, Boehner's leadership PAC.

Censorship!

Blogger HQ "locked" my blog a few days ago, after their computer determined that The Purple State fit many of the characteristics of a "spam blog." From the Blogger help file:

Blogs engaged in this behavior are called spam blogs, and can be recognized by their irrelevant, repetitive, or nonsensical text, along with a large number of links, usually all pointing to a single site.

Irrelevant? Repetitive? Nonsensical? They censor me, and then insult me at the same time. For shame, Blogger. For shame.

Fortunately for everyone, an email to the folks at Blogger cleared everything up, and I'm good to go again. The Man can't keep me down!