Is Sen. Kevin Parker right in saying actor Keifer Sutherland got off easier in being punished after he allegedly head-butted a fashion designer last Monday?

Could this be another example of how unfairly African-American politicians are placed in the somewhat overly critical and mostly racist spotlight the mainstream public places on them?

Or is Parker simply trying to cover his ass for smacking a photographer himself in an attempt to stop the barrage of disciplinary actions he’s been receiving since the incident?

Parker, who was recently charged with a felony, while Sutherland was charged with a misdemeanor, spent the night in jail after he allegedly chased a New York Post photographer William Lopez around the block later crawling into the photographer’s car in an attempt to wrestle the camera away.

Sutherland, on the other hand, allegedly attacked designer Jack McCullough during an after party for the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute gala. According to reports, McCullough allegedly, unapologetically bumped into actress Brooke Shields and Sutherland didn’t like it – thus came the fisticuffs.

Let’s see. One gets a felony. The other gets a misdemeanor.

Now, yes, both men should be locked in the slammer for acting like a bunch of spoiled third-grade brats, but does Parker’s lawyer have a point here – possibly?

What is the difference between the actions of both persons? And what constitutes how and why each individual is punished? Was Parker given the boot because he’s a politician and should know better? Or has society pathetically grown to accept these silly, emotional outbursts from actors/entertainers similar to that of Sutherland?

Parker did not enter a plea at his arraignment on Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn Criminal Court on a felony count of third-degree criminal mischief, three counts of fourth-degree misdemeanor criminal mischief, third-degree misdemeanor assault and menacing and harassment, according to his lawyer, Lonnie Hart. He was released on his own recognizance.

Hart, however, declared Parker faced a stiffer rap than Sutherland, who is known as the central figure in the action drama “24.”

"Kiefer Sutherland broke somebody's nose and got a desk appearance ticket," Hart said in a New York Daily News report. “He was able to surrender himself and walk out a few hours later."

But, one of the area’s most high-profile Black politicians Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith showed no mercy on Parker.

Smith terminated Parker last week as majority whip and cut him as Energy Committee chairman, a job that carried a $22,000 stipend.

I guess there goes the race card on this one.

“These are serious charges which demand the attention of the proper authorities and my decision today will stand until resolution of the proceedings,” Smith said.

Well, you know what folks, we are agreeing with Smith on this one.

No matter what happens to Sutherland, Parker, who was elected by the people to serve and represent them, obviously behaved foolishly in the manner exhibited with the Post photographer.

And, according to records this is not the first incident in which he has roughed someone up. Parker, who has been in office since 2002, was charged in 2005 with punching a traffic agent trying to issue him a ticket. The criminal charge was dropped when Parker enrolled in an anger management class. And last fall an aide accused him of pushing her.

This alleged behavior by Parker - or any other politician - should be deemed as shameful and unacceptable by voting constituents.

We have enough knuckleheaded thugs running amuck in our streets embarrassing the Black community – we don’t need our politicians doing the same.