Too much, too little, too late" isn't just the name of a great 1978 duet sung by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams. It's also an apt description of the recent actions of -- and milquetoast-ish apology by -- U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney.

For more than a week, the Atlanta congresswoman has been battered with questions for allegedly battering a Capitol policeman who dared to ask for ID when she sidestepped a metal detector at a House office building. She said she hit the cop with her cell phone after he touched her "inappropriately" following her refusal to stop.

McKinney's weak, week-late apology came only after it appeared that she could face misdemeanor or felony charges. Many people, mainly political opponents (although she received little support from her fellow Democrats), see the apology as a political concession to defuse an investigation.

After McKinney issues a genuine apology to that cop, she needs to issue another one to black Americans for claiming she was a victim of racial profiling.

Entering the building, McKinney was adorned with a new hairstyle and did not have an identifying pin in her lapel. She reportedly ignored the officer's requests that she stop. From that, she somehow feels she was a victim of harassment because of her race. Anyone who has been a real victim of racial profiling cringed upon hearing her say it.

As someone who received only 13 votes when I ran for city council in Rockingham 20 years ago, it's unlikely I could ever be elected to anything. If, however, everyone else in the world overslept on Election Day and I were a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I'd have told McKinney, "Sorry, sister, but you're on your own with this one. I'll catch you later."

Her apology will be strengthened if she drops the passive language she's used thus far and says "Look guys, I screwed up. Sorry."

Instead, she said "There should not have been any physical contact in this incident...I am sorry this misunderstanding happened at all and I regret its escalation and I apologize."

For what?

Another question: why are members of Congress allowed to bypass the metal detectors anyway? Aren't these the same public servants who require us to virtually disrobe before boarding airplanes?

Congresspeople are not noted for their humility, so it's likely McKinney was simply offended that the cop didn't recognize her as she swept by with her entourage.

Cynthia McKinney has often been a fearless champion of her district and of blacks in America. Her abrasive, confrontational style frequently rubs people, even allies, the wrong way, but that's cool: she wasn't elected to make friends.

She is not, as the saying goes afraid to "speak truth to power," and has withstood strong relentless, often racist criticism -- such as that leveled by Neal Boortz, a nationally syndicated talk radio host, who this week said she looked like a "welfare slut." McKinney, whose father was an outspoken state legislator, won't be deterred by such attacks. That's good.

But confronting a president whose war policies you disagree with is admirable; confronting and slugging a cop who is just doing his job is bullying.

The question McKinney needs to ask is "How much can I serve my constituents while mired in a controversy of my own making?

The answer, of course, is "too little."