Last week the elder statesman of disgraced Congressmen offered Weiner some advice: Shut up. This week he comes to his defense in a tortured sort of way.
Unlike rational members of Congress, Charlie Rangel seems intent on injecting himself into the Anthony Weiner story. Last week the elder statesman of disgraced Congressmen offered Weiner some advice: Shut up. This week he comes to his defense in a tortured sort of way.
Democrat corruption comes in a variety of styles and colors
The Associated Press offers up Rangel’s latest idiocy:
U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel told reporters Friday that he still believes Weiner can be an effective lawmaker, “if the press gets off his back.”
He suggested that other members of Congress had done things more immoral than Weiner, who admitted this week to sending racy messages and explicit photographs of himself to women he didn’t know.
Rangel says Weiner, “wasn’t going with prostitutes. He wasn’t going out with little boys.”
Thanks to Congressman Rangel, we now know what sort of behavior the Democrats consider unacceptable. At least until the first Democrat in Congress is caught with a prostitute or a little boy.
Perhaps our earlier condemnations of Charlie Rangel were too harsh. We assumed he was corrupt, but this video clip leads us to believe he is merely stupid.
Perhaps our earlier condemnations of Charlie Rangel were too harsh. We assumed he was corrupt, but this video clip leads us to believe he is merely stupid.
Here’s ol’ Charlie spouting Keynesian nonsense (pardon our redundancy) with Judge Andrew Napolitano on Fox News.
“We have to really cut back in our spending,” Charlie said. “Everyone knows that, and we have to raise revenue in order to do it.”
Sit back and read that sentence again. Luxuriate in its utter stupidity. Swim in its ignorance.
All brought to you courtesy of Charlie Rangel, D-NY.
Geoffrey Eaton, Charlie Rangel’s Deputy Chief of Staff, was dining at Chez Lucienne in Harlem when he freaked out when he couldn’t find his umbrella.
Geoffrey Eaton, Charlie Rangel’s Deputy Chief of Staff, was dining at Chez Lucienne in Harlem Thursday night when a rainstorm hit. He freaked out when he couldn’t find his umbrella and was eventually escorted out by the police.
Geoffrey Eaton wants his umbrella, damn it. He knows you have his umbrella and he wants it back.
The New York Post has the inebriation information:
“He yelled at everyone, even the customers,” said the manager on duty, who asked not to be named. “We said, ‘We’ll give you another umbrella.’ Other people offered . . . we said, ‘If that’s not enough, we’ll pay for your cab home.’ Because I know him, I let him stay for a while. I talked to him nicely, as I do with all of my customers. We tried to calm him down. I have never seen him that way. Maybe something went a little wrong.”
BET.com contributor Bevy Smith, who was dining separately at the bistro, told us, “He cursed out the entire waitstaff, and everyone was trying to appease him. He was like, ‘Bleep that, I want a bleeping umbrella, why the bleep can’t you find it?’ ”
“I said, ‘Shhhh.’ He yells at me, ‘Bleep you, and mind your own bleeping business . . . you’re a disgrace to our race.’ ”
After 15 minutes of Eaton’s ranting and raving, the manager called cops to escort him out. A source told us employees later found his umbrella in a corner. Eaton was not arrested and left in a huff.
Smith, a former fashion director for Vibe and Rolling Stone, said, “I was appalled that someone who is a president at the NAACP and works with Charlie Rangel could behave like that in a public place and towards women. He was clearly intoxicated.”
He wasn’t intoxicated, Bevy. He was drunk with power.
You really can’t really blame Charlie Rangel. He can’t be expected to know that ordinary citizens actually get punished for their crimes.
You really can’t really blame Charlie Rangel. Based on his experience you can blatantly break the law and get a slap on the wrist. So he can’t be expected to know that ordinary citizens actually get punished for their crimes.
Charlie Rangel sees a dangerous precedent here: If you punish ordinary citizens like Afrika Owes for their crimes, it won't be long before you begin punishing Congressmen for theirs
The New York Post has the story:
Members of the Abyssinian Baptist Church packed a Manhattan courtroom yesterday, hoping to post $50,000 in church money to bail out an accused prep-schooler-turned-gun-moll — even though the renowned congregation had been the biggest crusaders against her drug ring.
But as Afrika Owes sobbed from the defense table, a Manhattan judge refused to set her free despite her contingent of church members, family and supporters — including embattled Rep. Charles Rangel.
The congressman had been so eager to weigh in in favor of the bond, he was told three times by court officers to sit back down in his front-row seat.
Not so fast, said Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Edward McLaughlin. There is no case law supporting the use of tax-exempt church funds for bail, he noted, and the parishioners who contributed these funds presumably had no idea they would be used to free an accused drug-gang conspirator.
Owes reportedly was caught on recorded phone calls agreeing to ferry guns for her accused drug-kingpin boyfriend.
“The witness against the defendant is the defendant — the defendant’s own words,” the judge noted.
We’d suggest they break out the old “She didn’t say what she said when she said it” defense. Or maybe the “Who you gonna believe – me or your lyin’ ears” defense. Either one should prove adequate to win the freedom of this poor victim of racism.
Despite being censured by the House of Representatives for repeated, egregious tax code violations, New York Democrat Charlie Rangel is playing H&R Block for his constituents, offering them tax tips.
Despite being censured by the House of Representatives for repeated, egregious tax code violations, New York Democrat Charlie Rangel is playing H&R Block for his constituents, offering them tax tips.
Tax Tip #1: "Don't report the income on your villa in the Dominican Republic."
The New York Daily News has the decidedly odd story:
Among the ethics violations for which the Harlem Democrat was punished by his colleagues just before Christmas was failing to pay taxes on his DominIcan villa. But Rangel nevertheless just emailed his latest “Rangel Report” featuring tax advice for constituents.
“On its face, Charlie Rangel giving tax advice is more than just ironic, it’s surreal,” said Baruch College politics maven Doug Muzzio.
“On the other hand, Charle Rangel knows the tax law, his constituents need tax advice and he can provide it,” Muzzio added. “It’s a service for his constituents.”
Rangel’s spokesman declined to comment on the mailing, except to note that he does it every year.
Next up: Bernie Madoff offers investment tips to his cell mates.
Charlie Rangel is a remarkable hypocrite: “It would not hurt the Congress to have a little more morality involved rather than politics involved. And I’m prepared to do more than my share.”
Charlie Rangel is a remarkable hypocrite. He appeared on MSNBC with Dylan Ratigan and made the following statement:
“It would not hurt the Congress to have a little more morality involved rather than politics involved. And I’m prepared to do more than my share.”
Which is worse – Rangel’s hypocrisy or Ratigan nodding and smiling as if he’s unaware of that hypocrisy?
Charlie may not be corrupt, but he’s guilty as sin according to CNN.com. It just reported, “A House ethics subcommittee found Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-New York, guilty Monday on multiple violations of House rules.”
UPDATE: Charlie may not be corrupt, but he’s guilty as sin according to CNN.com. It just reported, “A House ethics subcommittee found Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-New York, guilty Monday on multiple violations of House rules.”
A slap on the wrist to follow.
It took about ten minutes to figure out why the Democrats are suddenly ramrodding Charlie Rangel’s ethics through the House during the lame duck session while they still have a majority. The whole thing is going to be one big ol’ white wash.
(Oh, we beg your pardon. We used the word white. We apologize for the blatant display of racism.)
Politico.com has the sordid, but not unexpected details:
“I see no evidence of corruption,” said Blake Chisam, the top ethics committee lawyer, about Rangel. Chisam’s statement was in response to questioning by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.). Butterfield is serving on the eight-member panel hearing the Rangel case.
“It’s hard to answer the question of personal financial benefit,” Chisam added. ” I think the short answer is probably no. Do I believe that based on the record that Congressman Rangel took steps to benefit himself based on his position in Congress? No. I believe that the congressman, quite frankly, was overzealous in many of the things he did. And sloppy in his personal finances.”
The most serious allegations against Rangel surround his fundraising on behalf of the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Policy at City College in New York. Rangel sought as much as $30 million in public and private funds for the center, and he was charged for setting dozens of letters on official letterhead to official donors.
Chisam said that Rangel could have avoided any problems “if he had only followed the rules” laid out for such fundraising in the House ethics manual.
Charlie Manson wasn’t a cold-blooded mass murderer. He was just kind of sloppy.
Bernie Madoff wasn’t a swindler. He was just kind of sloppy.
And the Democrats aren’t hushing up this scandal. They’re just kind of sloppy.
If you thought the bad news was over for Democrats, you’d be wrong. Very wrong. And that’s what we call the feel good story of the day.
If you thought the bad news was over for Democrats, you’d be wrong. Very wrong. And that’s what we call the feel good story of the day.
Angry and stupid Maxine Waters, intelligent and smug Charlie Rangel
TheHill.co has the delightful details:
Fresh from a stinging midterm election defeat, House Democrats must quickly face another embarrassing spectacle: public trials for two of their most prominent members.
Reps. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), two senior House veterans, have opted to fight the separate ethics charges in public ethics trials set to take place later this month and extend into the first week of December.
Drawing criticism from Republicans, House ethics chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) last month announced the trials would occur after the elections. Rangel’s will commence Nov. 15 and the Waters trial will start Nov. 29.
To make matters worse for a party still reeling from their losses, Rangel, who is known for his colorful and rambling speeches, could decide to represent himself at the hearing. The Rangel’s trial would undoubtedly attract a lot of attention from the cable news shows.
“It’s like we’re kicking ourselves in the stomach when we’re already down,” one House Democratic staffer griped. “I’m not looking forward to it.”
We urge Democrats not to kick themselves in the stomach. Aim a little lower.
We used to be vehemently opposed to the Ground Zero mosque. Then Charlie Rangel used his unparalleled powers of persuasion to change our minds.
Charlie Rangel, the independent voice of reason
We used to be vehemently opposed to the Ground Zero mosque. Then Charlie Rangel used his unparalleled powers of persuasion to change our minds.
Embattled Congressman Charlie Rangel came out in support of the Ground Zero mosque yesterday, saying people “should be cooperative.”
Rangel said the issue is not political.
“It’s so painful that Republicans and Democrats are using religion as a political tool,” Rangel said. “The Constitution is clear,” the pol said at a charity event in Harlem.
Translation: “Maybe if I act like some kind of independent voice of reason, everyone will forget that I’m the most corrupt Congressman in the last 30 years.”
Ethically-challenged Democrat Congressman Charlie Rangel took to the floor of the House to demand a trial. He talked for 31 minutes. He rambled. He ranted. He raved. He preached. And he did it all like he didn’t have a clue that he’s a dead man walking.
Ethically-challenged Democrat Congressman Charlie Rangel took to the floor of the House to demand a trial. He talked for 31 minutes. He rambled. He ranted. He raved. He preached. And he did it all like he didn’t have a clue that he’s a dead man walking.
Here are a few of the highlights (or, if you prefer, lowlights):
“The President wants dignity. Let’s have dignity in this house, where the ethics committee means something. And that none of you, if the newspapers say anything, will have to wait two years before you can say ‘no comment.’”
“Why did I take the floor today when I haven’t found one lawyer that said I should do it? I haven’t even found one friend that said I should do it.”
“If I can’t get my dignity back here, then fire your best shot in getting rid of me through expulsion.”
“Hey, if I was you I may want me to go away, too. I am not going away! I am here!”
This show is definitely going to be worth the price of admission
Just a little advice for Charlie Rangel: Don’t sit down for television interviews if you’re going to be sensitive about being a lying, thieving, corrupt son of a bitch.
Just a little advice for Charlie Rangel: Don’t sit down for television interviews if you’re going to be sensitive about being a lying, thieving, corrupt son of a bitch.
But if we were lying, thieving, corrupt sons of a bitch, we might feel different.
This clip epitomizes Chris Matthews’ problem as a TV host. He’s so far to the left that he can’t comprehend why Charlie Rangel is in trouble.
This clip epitomizes Chris Matthews’ problem as a TV host. He’s so far to the left that he can’t comprehend why Charlie Rangel is in trouble. Matthews is somehow able to convince himself that the corrupt congressman’s long list of fraudulent misdeeds couldn’t possibly have been the real reason he had to step down as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
As Matthews spins liberal paranoia, he’s brought back to reality by Joe Conanson of the New York Observer:
Matthews: What is it that has led, for example, to the New York Times…I’m always skeptical of motive. Excuse me for that. I don’t think all journalism’s objective. Why have they been pounding this guy? Is it because of what he did or did he vote wrong on something?
Conanson: Well, Chris, I think it was journalism.
“Hmmmm, journalism,” Matthews thought to himself. “I’ve heard people use that word, but I’m not really sure what it is.”
Democrat Charlie Rangel, the poster boy for corrupt politicians, blames slimy New York newspapers for the perception that he is somehow dishonest.
Democrat Charlie Rangel, the poster boy for corrupt politicians, blames slimy New York newspapers for the perception that he is somehow dishonest.
Here’s how the New York Post, apparently the slimy newspapers to which Rangel refers, reports the story:
Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) was asked about his failure to disclose about $700,000 in assets this weekend in Harlem by my pal Azi Paybarah of PolitickerNY — and responded by saying he was a victim of a New York Post smear campaign.
The charming, churlish House Ways and Means chairman, who is the subject of several ethics committee probes, blasted away at the Murdoch-owner tab — even though the disclosure story was reported by POLITICO and other news outlets.
“I think it’s totally unfair for the New York Post to send investigative reporters to my family’s homes and to do that type of thing,” he said during a rally in Harlem over the weekend. “I guess it’s all selling papers.”
Charlie Rangel. Leader of the culture of corruption for the uncultured.
Good ol’ Uncle Charlie Rangel, the New York Democrat who heads the committee that writes the tax laws, is under investigation for a wide range of tax violations. So naturally, he decided this would be a good time to make campaign contributions (wink, wink) to some of the other fine, upstanding gentlemen on the committee that’s investigating him.
Charlie Rangel indicates how many more members of Congress he intends to bribe
Good ol’ Uncle Charlie Rangel, the New York Democrat who heads the committee that writes the tax laws, is under investigation for a wide range of tax violations.
So naturally, he decided this would be a good time to make campaign contributions (wink, wink) to some of the other fine, upstanding gentlemen on the committee that’s investigating him.
The beneficiaries of Rangel’s largesse include Kentucky Democrat Ben Chandler, North Carolina Democrat G.K. Butterfield, and Vermont Democrat Peter Welch.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Rangel’s been spreading the wealth around the House of Representatives at a furious pace, making donations to 119 different Congressmen since the ethics probe was launched last year.
Rangel, of course, remains nothing if not arrogant.
“I recognize that all of you have an obligation to ask questions knowing that there’s none of you smart enough to frame it in such a way that I’m going to respond,” Rangel told reporters.
Time for a perp walk here. Ankle cuffs, orange jump suit, the whole shebang.
Rep. Charles Rangel failed to report as much as $1.3 million in outside income — including up to $1 million for a Harlem building sale — on financial-disclosure forms he filed between 2002 and 2006, according to newly amended records.
Charlie Rangel, widely recognized as the lowest of all the lowlifes in Washington, DC
Charlie Rangel may be a Congressman from New York, but he’s also the King of Chutzpah.
The Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee is being investigated for a wide range of ethical lapses (“lapses” is probably an inappropriate word because it implies that this latest incident is a temporary break in otherwise ethical behavior, but there is no evidence that Rangel has ever been ethical).
The New York Post reports the sordid details:
Rep. Charles Rangel failed to report as much as $1.3 million in outside income — including up to $1 million for a Harlem building sale — on financial-disclosure forms he filed between 2002 and 2006, according to newly amended records.
Charlie Rangel and Barack Obama. Two of the three taxing amigos.
This story hits the trifecta. It has liberal hypocrisy, media bias and remarkable stupidity all rolled into one.
The liberal hypocrisy? After being introduced by tax cheat Timothy Geithner, President Obama heaped praise on Harlem congressman Charlie Rangel for helping him close overseas corporate tax loopholes.
The remarkable stupidity? Rangel is being investigated for his own overseas tax scam.
The media bias? Have you seen it on the evening news?
Here’s how the New York Post editorialized about it:
Rangel, of course, knows a thing or two about offshore tax shelters: He’d been operating one for years.
The congressman had to fork over nearly $11,000 in back taxes last year after The Post reported that he failed to disclose more than $75,000 in rental income on his Dominican Republic villa.
Plus, he’s under investigation by a House committee for allegedly helping a company preserve its offshore tax loophole — in exchange for a million-dollar gift to a school named in his honor.
Though perhaps that’s not exactly what Obama meant when he gushed that the problems with tax havens “have been highlighted” by Rangel, among others.
This is perfect. We have tax vampire Barack Obama proposing the legislation, tax cheat Charlie Rangel writing the legislation, tax cheat Timothy Geithner enforcing the legislation.
Charles Rangel, D-NY, March 19, 2009 on CNBC Squawkbox
We sincerely hope you get to the bottom of what you did or didn’t do, Charlie. The American people are lucky to have a dedicateddependable deplorable public servant like you in Washington, DC.
Representative Charlie Rangel (D-NY) didn’t know what he was getting into when he stepped in front of the CNBC cameras early this morning. Hosts Mark Haines and Erin Burnett invited the congressman on the show to discuss why he backs legislation to disallow the AIG bonuses.
First, Mark and Aaron jumped on Rangel about changing the compensation plan for a company in the middle of the game. But after Rangel was given a chance to defend his actions by claiming that AIG employees “violated the public trust” and “destroyed the economy,” the fireworks began as the conversation took a turn as Mark Haines went after him with a vengeance about his own alleged tax problems.
Haines turned the conversation with this: “With all due respect, congressman, when you talk about violating the public trust, you’ve had some tax issues of your own.” And that’s when the real fun and games started.
We love it. Some in the mainstream media are starting to grow a pair.
The party that brought you Reverend G*d d*mn America is back with another installment of righteously profane indignation. This time it’s in the service of the most ethical and transparent congress in history.
This is a story we’d like to see on the TV news, but we’re not holding our breath. In the meantime, we’re thankful for HotAir.
Tax cheat Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has been comfortably ensconced in the House since 1971 and currently chairs the Ways and Means Committee that writes our convoluted tax laws. He was asked by HotAir TV about his taxpayer-sponsored Cadillac and a few other ethical and financial lapses.
Thinking he was dealing with a friendly tourist, Rangel turns on the charm with a big, toothy smile and a warm “Welcome to the nation’s capitol!”
Watch how his excrement-masticating grin freezes after he’s confronted about his shady rental property deals, publicly-subsidized Cadillac, and unpaid taxes. Then he says:
“Why don’t you mind your G*d d*mn*d business?”
It’s official. Government of the people is now government vs. the people.
