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Comments

1. #1
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:45 am, rocketman said:

   ***
   Don’t cross RHAMBO. You could be hit with a “tour jete” kick, stabbed with a steak knife, and have your mailbox filled with dead fish!
   ***
   Don’t pull on Superman’s cape. Don’t spit into the wind. Don’t pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger. And don’t mess around with RHAMBO!
   ***
   John Bibb
   ***

2. #2
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:46 am, Rip Ford said:

   What a surprise that he rents his illegal apartment from another Democrat politician.

3. #3
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:49 am, alaskangrizzly said:

   /insert all the late night show jokes about living in a basement illegally

   

4. #4
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:51 am, Paul Revere said:

   Didn’t Norm Coleman get skewered for this exact same thing?

5. #5
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:56 am, El_Guapo said:

   I see the NY Times is all over this one. Oh, sorry. If it were Karl Rove, Newt, or, well, you know.

6. #6
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:56 am, WarTip said:

   I know I should not comment here … at least not in this way … but somehow the prospect of viewing these people as actual bottom-dwellers is just too good to pass up.

7. #7
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:57 am, RTater said:

   This seems like a good place to post something partially off-topic, but related to Rham:

   http://www.scribd.com/doc/11057958/HR45-Blair-Holts-Firearm-Licensing-and-Record-of-Sale-Act-of-2009

   Some highlights:
   It shall be unlawful for any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to possess a qualifying firearm on or after the applicable date, unless that person has been issued a firearm license

   In order to be issued a firearm license under this title, an individual shall submit to the Attorney General…any mental health records pertaining to the applicant

8. #8
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:57 am, Socky said:

   Obama’s Number Two Lawyer at Justice is a porn-lovin’ pervert.

9. #9
   On February 5th, 2009 at 10:59 am, genso said:

   Shakespeare could not write such a story. This tragic-comedy could only happen in real life. Where’s the prop skull?

10. #10
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:02 am, ThatSamIAm said:

    Something tells me the real issue is going to be the amount of rent being paid. Another sweetheart deal for a friend? Maybe some quid pro quo. I bet he pays a lot less than most in that area in similar apartments.

    Sweetheart deals are just part of doing business when you are a Socialist Progressive Democrat.

11. #11
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:06 am, genso said:

    ThatSamIAm said: Socialist Progressive Democrat.

    I’m tired of the name games. Socialist is being worn with pride now. Time to call them what they are; Communists.

12. #12
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:11 am, WarTip said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:06 am, genso said: I’m tired of the name games. Socialist is being worn with pride now. Time to call them what they are; Communists.

    Actually, if you want to look at realities … the socialist programs combined with the nationalization of the economy and other nationalist programs.

    Are you familiar with the term “Nationalist-Socialist” and what it is in German? Or at least the shortened version of it?

13. #13
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:12 am, corkie said:

    Honestly, I really think the blame should fall to the owner on this.

14. #14
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:16 am, genso said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:11 am, WarTip said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:06 am, genso said: I’m tired of the name games. Socialist is being worn with pride now. Time to call them what they are; Communists.

    Actually, if you want to look at realities … the socialist programs combined with the nationalization of the economy and other nationalist programs.

    Are you familiar with the term “Nationalist-Socialist” and what it is in German? Or at least the shortened version of it?

    While I won’t quibble with you about this, Nazism was a form of Marixm. Had Hitler succeeded, you would have had a hard time distinguishing the resulting Europe from the USSR. But, to your point, I have no problem calling them Nazi.

15. #15
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:27 am, metalhead said:

    Any bets that DeLauro didn’t claim the rent as income?

16. #16
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:29 am, WarEagle82 said:

    Well, not to put too fine a point on it, the Nazis were a socialist party but not all socialists are Marxists.

    The term “Nazi” is derived from the German name of the party which was “Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei.” In English it is translated National Socialist German Workers Party. Socialist being a part of their perverse ideology.

    The left desperately wants us to think the Nazis were a right-wing party. But the were lefties.

    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:16 am, genso said:
    While I won’t quibble with you about this, Nazism was a form of Marixm.

17. #17
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:34 am, MarcoPolo said:

    Ok is sweet – Rep. DeLauro claims she has never accepted any payment in the past six years for Rahm’s extended stay.

    So, has he reported that as income on taxes?

18. #18
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:36 am, MarcoPolo said:

    The left desperately wants us to think the Nazis were a right-wing party. But the were lefties.

    Hitler was not personally a socialist. But he was quick to recognize that giving people things was the best way to coerce them.

    He hated the Jews, while Progressives hate Christians.

19. #19
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:37 am, bradley said:

    I think the proper term for national socialism in Germany some while back was “Nationalische Socialistiche Deutsche Arbeiter Partie”. Or something close to that. NSDAP were the initials.
    Or, as it was more widely known, NAZI.
    Some weirdo in a tiny dorky mustache ran it.

20. #20
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:39 am, RabbidSquirrel said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 10:57 am, Socky said:

    Obama’s Number Two Lawyer at Justice is a porn-lovin’ pervert.

    Careful there… even porn-lovin’ perverts need (self)love too

21. #21
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:40 am, Salt said:

    Seriously? A post about Rahm’s illegal apartment has turned into a discussion on the origins of the Nazi party?

22. #22
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:42 am, sonofdy said:

    Ok is sweet – Rep. DeLauro claims she has never accepted any payment in the past six years for Rahm’s extended stay.

    So, has he reported that as income on taxes?

    If she is giving the living space away, she is stupid, but I don’t think he or she should be taxed on it. Just my opinion.

23. #23
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:44 am, WarTip said:

    Actually, my main point was the reflection that is going on here … calling us to task and accusing us on the right of doing what they are already doing … so as to effectively negate our argument before we have an opportunity to present it in an unbiased and open forum. Still, it does bring up some interesting (and frightening) insight into exactly how people like Hitler got into power under the nose of the German people … and hopefully enough people will remember their history to prevent it from happening here … but I have to say that it does not look good for the home team.

24. #24
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:45 am, Coregis said:

    As a person who has both written and enforced zoning laws, the spite should go out to Rep. DeLauro. It is the affirmative obligation for a property owner to know the permitted uses and limitations of a property, and to obey the law. Property owners get nailed for that failure all the time.

25. #25
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:47 am, chapoutier said:

    If she is giving the living space away, she is stupid, but I don’t think he or she should be taxed on it. Just my opinion.

    Practically, and under normal circumstances, the FMV of the rental could probably be covered by the annual exclusion for gift tax ($13,000 yr/ per donee, with spousal gift splitting that is $26,000 a year), such that it would not be income, and no one has any tax consequences. But of course it is complicated by the whole Congressman thing which imposes its own restrictions.

26. #26
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:48 am, chapoutier said:

    Property owners get nailed for that failure all the time.

    When it comes to basement apartments in DC, no they don’t. Everyone and their mother rents out basement apartments.

    I wonder who is footing the bill for the PI to go dig up dirt on Rahm.

27. #27
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:51 am, AnotherBrian said:

    I have to agree with the “reader.” As a land use attorney, I work with zoning and variances in California. The owner is responsible for knowing what is permitted use on his property.

    While it is possible for a renter to determine if his use is permitted, it is unlikely that any renter would do so.

28. #28
    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:53 am, sonofdy said:

    Morally I see this in another way. My sister in law and son are staying with us taking up 2 rooms and not paying rent because she is unemployed and pregnant. (try finding a job while pregnant) anyway, should one of us be taxed in some way? I don’t think so. They are my rooms to invite whomever I want. If I decide to let someone stay there vs leaving the rooms empty, is that any business of the governments? Now the code violations are all on the owner. But rahm should at least offer to help pay to fix the issue. Moraly speaking of course.

29. #29
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:03 pm, AnotherBrian said:

    To Sonofdy:

    The reason for the zoning is to prevent someone from renting out their house to a ton of people. Radio Talkhosts “John and Ken” on 640 KFI in California refer to these houses as “clown houses” where you have entire families living in a single room.

    Personally, I think Michelle is making a mountain out of a molehill on this. Such violations occur all the time and no one makes a big deal about them. You just get the problem fixed. Hell, usually, no one even bother reporting the issue except for busybodies.

30. #30
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    Practically, and under normal circumstances, the FMV of the rental could probably be covered by the annual exclusion for gift tax ($13,000 yr/ per donee, with spousal gift splitting that is $26,000 a year), such that it would not be income, and no one has any tax consequences. But of course it is complicated by the whole Congressman thing which imposes its own restrictions.

    Ok, I challenge you to rent even a simple one bedroom apartment in DC for less than $2000 per month. In that neighborhood, he went over the gift allowance.

31. #31
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, chapoutier said:

    Ok, I challenge you to rent even a simple one bedroom apartment in DC for less than $2000 per month. In that neighborhood, he went over the gift allowance.

    Seeing as I am actually currently looking at apartments in DC at this very moment, I can assure you that, for a basement apartment on Capitol Hill, $2,000/month is very very doable.

32. #32
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:17 pm, rooster said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 11:37 am, bradley said:

    Or, as it was more widely known, NAZI.
    Some weirdo in a tiny dorky mustache ran it.

    Look what we have today, some weirdo with big dorky ears running it.

33. #33
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:21 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    Morally I see this in another way. My sister in law and son are staying with us taking up 2 rooms and not paying rent because she is unemployed and pregnant. (try finding a job while pregnant) anyway, should one of us be taxed in some way? I don’t think so. They are my rooms to invite whomever I want.

    Well, you guys are the big tax lovers, not me. So I am actually using liberal logic when I say yes – - they should be taxed on the fair rental value of the room, although because she is family there would probably be an exemption.

    Churches allow ministers to live on their private property, and the minister has to report a fair rental value for SS purposes. Why can’t he just stay for free, if private property is the determining factor?

34. #34
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:21 pm, chapoutier said:

    For example…

35. #35
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, madmonkphotog said:

    Basement living, huh?

    Suits him, that damn troll!

36. #36
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:28 pm, rambler said:

    Resign, Rahm!

37. #37
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:28 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    Coleman was paying $600 for a 10 x 10 room.

    The Democrats cried this was far below fair market value.

    http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/no_20080701_7046.php

    I can pull up rent.com listings for $4395 for a 2 bedroom basement apartment in DC. Which do you think Rahm would settle for – low end or high end?

38. #38
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:29 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    Basement living, huh?

    Suits him, that damn troll!

    The basement is where rats belong.

39. #39
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:37 pm, b-cat said:

    The basement is where rats belong.

    The basement is where the vampire was kept in Salem’s Lot.

40. #40
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:37 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Why isn’t DeLauro running a brothel in the basement like any other self-respectingabsorbed Congressperson?

41. #41
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:42 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Not impossible but it is very difficult to kill yourself jumping out of a basement window. So that’s one good thing.

42. #42
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pm, chapoutier said:

    Coleman was paying $600 for a 10 x 10 room.

    The Democrats cried this was far below fair market value.

    http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/no_20080701_7046.php

    I can pull up rent.com listings for $4395 for a 2 bedroom basement apartment in DC. Which do you think Rahm would settle for – low end or high end?

    The Dems were probably wrong if he just had a bedroom and bathroom. But also, the rental market thankfully is far different now.

    And just because some crack smoker thinks they can get $4400 for a two bedroom BASEMENT apartment, does not set the market value. And FYI, the one I cited was above many of the other listings I saw.

43. #43
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm, Bogtrotter said:

    Somehow, the image of him crawling out of a underground lair every morning seems natural.

44. #44
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:47 pm, chapoutier said:

    Not impossible but it is very difficult to kill yourself jumping out of a basement window. So that’s one good thing.

    On Capitol Hill, the preferred method of suicide for basement dwellers is to leave the ground level window open, loudly brag about all the Benjamins you have stashed in your mattress, and calmly wait for someone to break in, rob and kill you.

45. #45
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:02 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    On Capitol Hill, the preferred method of suicide for basement dwellers is to leave the ground level window open, loudly brag about all the Benjamins you have stashed in your mattress, and calmly wait for someone to break in, rob and kill you.

    No way – DC is gentrified. Burglers now put everything back in place. It’s quite livable now.

46. #46
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:16 pm, WarTip said:

    I thought shooting yourself in the back of the head with a shotgun and leaving the gun in a separate room was the preferred method? Not to be morbid but …

47. #47
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:54 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    I used to work near Union Station and Capitol Hill is not as gentrified and crime-free as many think.

    There are frequent robberies and other violent crimes on the hill and it often involves a member of congress or a staffer.

    And I am pretty sure $1825 for the apartment Chap found is a STEAL. I suspect it is gone already.

48. #48
    On February 5th, 2009 at 2:01 pm, chapoutier said:

    No way – DC is gentrified. Burglers now put everything back in place. It’s quite livable now.

    I was talking about Democratic House members.

49. #49
    On February 5th, 2009 at 2:01 pm, karenhasfreedom said:

    I didn’t read the background article, but is Rahm’s landlord paying income taxes on the rent? HAHA, bet not. Apparently Dems in the gubmint don’t pay taxes!!

50. #50
    On February 5th, 2009 at 2:54 pm, SpeakEasy said:

    Chap,
    I believe you were misinformed. Dems keep their “Benjamins” in their freezers. Also, there is no need to fear being shot while being robbed. They banned firearms in DC so they no longer exist there.

51. #51
    On February 5th, 2009 at 3:04 pm, bluesoc said:

    Has anyone here checked the zoning ordinances before renting an apartment(especially temporary housing)? It’s fairly common practice to do so before you buy (in fact EVERYONE should) but renting is a much different story. I guess it’s a slow day.

52. #52
    On February 5th, 2009 at 3:15 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    As a dyed-in-the-wool ultra conservative I think the burden for renting the apartment is on the owner and not the tenant.

    That said, it is possible Rep. DeLauro and Rahm Emmanuel were violating some ethics and income tax rules. And we wouldn’t have bothered to look had this zoning issue not come up.

    Even an evil, radical leftist like Emmanuel will sometimes NOT break a law. It is sort of like a stopped watching being “right” two times a day.

53. #53
    On February 5th, 2009 at 4:01 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    As a staunch Conservative, I will admit that I was wrong. Although accepting gifts is a violation of Washington ethics clauses, income taxes on gifts over the threshold is payable by the gifter.

    So DeLauro is the tax dodger in this instance.

54. #54
    On February 6th, 2009 at 10:59 am, rignerd said:

    Follow the link to the original story on Gawker and read the comments. I don’t know if they are from men or women, but apparently Rhambo is viewed as a stud and there is a waiting line outside the basement.