Summer of corruption: The enablers of Charlie Rangel; Update: Obama’s kiss-off
Scroll for updates…
Drain the swamp? HAHAHAHAHAHA!
My column today exposes the swamp creatures who coddled and protected Charlie Rangel all these years. Three House Dems have called on him to resign. And Democrats here in Colorado are bailing on him. But it’s too little, too late to mask the Democrat Party’s Rangel stench.
Below I slam the House ethics panel for its wrist-slap wimpiness. Underscoring my point: The NYPost reports today that the panel is pushing for the least-punitive action against Rangel — a reprimand.
***
The enablers of Charlie Rangel
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2010
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the world’s worst cleaning lady. How has she fulfilled her vaunted promise to “drain the swamp” and preside over the “most ethical Congress in history”? By shrugging her shoulders, downplaying the gravity of myriad ethics charges against corruptocrat Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel and waiting for the “political chips” to “fall where they may.” Imagine a custodial service that fixed toilet clogs by letting the overflowing waste and polluted waters “fall where they may.”
At a press conference to preempt the bipartisan House ethics panel’s announcement of 13 ethics and federal regulation charges against Rangel on Thursday afternoon, Pelosi claimed to take “great pride” in her swamp-draining record. Unblinkingly, she cited the House trial against Rangel as proof that the “process” is working. But that beleaguered panel has been pathetically understaffed, has dragged its feet for two years on the Rangel case and has administered more halfhearted wrist-slaps than all the pushover parents on a season of “Nanny 911.”
Clinging bitterly to the moral equivalence card, Pelosi carped about Bush-era GOP corruption. (Cue a chorus of “Let’s do the time warp again!”) Her lips were sealed, however, on the continuing wheeling and dealing behind the scenes between Rangel’s lobbyist-funded lawyers and the ethics panel on a deal to avoid a congressional trial.
A full-blown public trial would thoroughly air his self-dealing, habitual bad-faith failures to report income, multiple House gift ban and solicitation ban violations, flouting of franking privilege and letterhead rules, and a fundamental “pattern of indifference or disregard for the laws, rules and regulations of the United States and House of Representatives,” as the House ethics statement of violations put it. But, hey, what about that GEORGE W. BUSH, eh, Pelosi?
Bush-whack all you want. The Rangel stench is overwhelming. Along the way, Rangel has obstructed House investigators, failed to produce documents and refused previous settlement offers — prompting House ethics investigative subcommittee member Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Ala., to reject the Rangel-as-victim narrative. Misfortune didn’t befall Rangel. He chose his path. While bleeding-heart lefties in the media, like The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank, mourn entrenched incumbent Rangel’s sudden fall (he “took 36 years to climb to the top, only to lose it all in an instant”), there is nothing sudden about the entitlement sclerosis that took hold of his career.
And there is nothing ethical about the Democratic enablers who have shown their own long pattern of indifference or disregard for clean, open, transparent government.
I remind you that in March, Speaker Mop & Glo was minimizing Rangel’s mountain of alleged transgressions by pooh-poohing that “it was a violation of the rules of the House. It was not something that jeopardized our country in any way.” GOP Rep. Mike McCaul, a member of the House ethics investigative subcommittee, begged to differ. “Credibility is what’s at stake here; the very credibility of the House itself,” he said at the hearing announcing the baker’s dozen of ethics charges. Echoing Pelosi’s nonchalance, Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters sniffed that “many members” of the House are as habitually sloppy and apathetic toward House ethics rules as Rangel — her good friend and Congressional Black Caucus ally.
Since Day One, the identity-politics caucus that Rangel helped found has stood by his side and blamed anti-black bias for Rangel’s troubles. Rangel likened public scrutiny of his shady rent-controlled apartment deals and tax troubles to a “lynching.” CBC member Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., called it a “witch hunt.” And an unidentified, tinfoil-hatted black House Democrat told Politico: “It looks as if there is somebody out there who understands what the rules (are) and sends names to the ethics committee with the goal of going after the (CBC).”
Never mind that the supposedly bigoted House ethics panel exonerated four CBC members of their participation in corporate-funded tax junkets to the Caribbean. When the polls are down and damning evidence keeps mounting, first yell “BUSH!” Then yell “RAAAAACIST!”
As last-minute deal-making between Rangel and the foxes guarding the congressional henhouse continues, more and more Americans are coming to the same conclusions: House-soilers can’t be cleaners. Voters, not Washington politicians, are the ultimate ethics committee.
***
Update: Obama tries to distance himself. Too little, too late.
President Barack Obama has kept mum on the fate of Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) for days — but he tells CBS News that it’s time for the embattled 80-year-old former Ways and Means Chairman to end his career “with dignity.”
“I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served– his constituents very well. But these– allegations are very troubling,” Obama told Harry Smith in an interview to be aired on the “Early Show.”
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Trackbacks
- The American People Passed Angry a Few Exits Ago « Temple of Mut
- Must Know Headlines 7.31.2010 — ExposeTheMedia.com
- Michelle Malkin » Summer of Corruption: Maxine Waters/OneUnited Bank refresher course
- Michelle Malkin: Summer of corruption: The enablers of Charlie Rangel; Update: Obama’s kiss-off - DC SMELL REPORT
- Steynian 418st « Free Canuckistan!
- To Have and To Spend : Smart Girl Nation
- Michelle Malkin » Summer of corruption: The enablers of Charlie Rangel, continued
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Categories: Corruption,Democrats,Race Hustlers,Race relations
Conservatives4Palin
» Even Liberal Ben Smith from Politico Continues to Call the Vanity Fair Hit Piece a Lie
Ed Driscoll
» ‘October Surprises, Maybe Every Day and All Day’Legal Insurrection
» Democrats Approach The Tipping PointPundit & Pundette
» Let them eat cake locavoresConservatives4Palin
» Real Source Debunks Vanity Fair's Ghost SourcesLegal Insurrection
» What Does The "Israel Lobby" Have To Do With The Discovery Channel Hostage Taking?
Michelle, you’re killin’ me, “Speaker Mop and Glo”! How clever! This has to be one of your best posts.
Remember what happened last time a Harlem big-wig was about to be nailed to the wall on tax charges… The offices of Reverend Al Sharpton’s tax accountant, along with all of Rev Al’s not-doubt exculpatory tax records, were lost in the fire that destroyed Freddie’s Fashion Mart.
Just plain bad luck that Rev. Al’s accountant happened to have offices upstairs from that particular store. It would almost be funny if not for the eight dead New Yorkers…
So looks like Rangel is going to take a few Rats with him. For sure, he knows where the bad stuff is buried.
You show them Rangel, get your due, for what they do to you.
I love the photo of Pelosi and Rangel, it says so very much.
Laugh it up gang, judgement day is coming, and hell is coming with it.
The ends justifies the means, doncha know! The same thing applies to the oil well explosion. I still think it was deliberate and the heck with “casualties”. But that’s just my conspiratorial lunacy coming out again!
FirstSkirt #1
You beat me to it. “Speaker Mop and Glo” is forever etched in my mind.
Michelle, you are the best and we’re grateful you’re on our side. Otherwise, we’d be deeper in the dumpster than we already are!
Don’t see the problem here… It’s business as usual for DC… Nothing to see here, just keep moving…
sarc/
The pure arrogant insanity of Pelosi who can say and expect us to go along with “We have to pass the bill first before we can find out what’s in it” is on its own enough to signal the end of rationality in our democratic process. Anyone who can support this lady and her insanity needs to have their right to vote taken away.
I wouldn’t call it lunacy, since a lot of people have advanced that theory, much as the leftists still insist that 9-11 was an inside job. However, deepwater offshore drilling is plenty dangerous enough and everything I’ve read seems to indicate that the well was a rogue almost from the beginning, so it’s unlikely it needed any help. At any rate, the only people who know for sure what happened died on the drilling floor.
It is the ones screaming “ethics” and “honesty” the most that are the biggest offenders.
Nancy the Crypt Keeper as the gate keeper of ethical behavior is just plain ludicrous.
It has taken them 2 years to come up with reasons not to charge a fellow Mafasioso.You just know they are losing sleep now that they have to.
The most effective ethics committee is a well-informed, engaged electorate.
We, not the political parties, must set the ethical standards, and those who do not measure up need to be removed.
If my only choices are a corrupt conservative or an ethical liberal (if such a liberal exsists), I will vote the corrupt one out.
“Voters, not Washington politicians, are the ultimate ethics committee.”
What if the vote is corrupted through ACORN fake registration, SEIU activism, thug intimidation at the voting booth, newspapers hiding and distorting information,….
What then?
Keep your eye on Pelosi ally and hardcore Marxist Fortney “Pete” Stark, who now holds Rangel’s committee gavel.
Rangel was more of the corrupt Daley flavored Democrat than the Pelosi/Waxman/Jon Cary Marxist Democrat. He was in the Marines in Korea.
Fortney “I wouldn’t pee on your leg is you were on fire” Stark now runs the most important committee in the House.
Obama seems a perfect combination of both flavors, the corrupt Demonrat and the Marxist Demonrat.
Flyoverman….I would not vote….
Are we sure this guy is even black? What’s the deal with his hair? It reminds of some of the black Doo-Wop bands from the 50′s. The whole lynching and “it’s because I’m black” routine is getting pretty tiresome Charlie!
Rangel, IIRC, is of Puerto Rican, ie, Afro-Caribbean ancestry.
If there is a Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which I suspect there is, he’d be eligible for membership.
Many, many Puerto Ricans moved to New York over the last 60 years because they could, legally, and New York has some of the most generous welfare benefits in the country.
You never heard of “Spanish Harlem”?
Actually, ethical liberal politicians do exist, but are extremely rare. I believe they’ve on the ‘Endangered Species” list. I think, personally, I’ve spotted maybe two or three in my last 30+ years of voting here in CA, and their puny numbers seem to be dwindling toward extinction.
That right there says it all.
I figured it was something like that Ed, but his name doesn’t sound Spanish. But you’re right if there had been more hispanics in congress when he was formal a caucus based on race, that would have been his choice, but its more politically expedient for him to be “black” just like it is for Obama.
This looks like racist accusations, surely Rangel wouldn’t do something illegal, would he? Where’s Jessie and Al to straighten these white racists out about how it is in America now days, after all we have a post racial president, don’t we?
Those people are traitors to America, that includes the dimwit democraps that don’t take the time to learn anything about their candidates. they argue “We’ve been voting democrap in my family for generations. D’Oh! that is the problem, dummie.
Maybe Rangel can get a gig on the new MPTV network.
J.J., she can’t blink. It’s the Botox, you know.
To expand on vinniy’s comment:
WE can’t vote Rangel out because WE don’t live in his district.
When you BS your constituents with separatist race baiting, feeding pork to your people with a welfare mentality, union thugs, etc, etc, there is no worry about being voted out of office. Its easy to fool the stupid and ignorant.
Its been said that “you can’t fix stupid, but you can fix ignorant.” Sorry, but you can’t fix willful ignorance.
I’ll bet Rangel gets re-elected.
I’m not too worried about Chowie landing on his feet. All he needs is a new jar of Dixie Peach, and a fresh deck of cards, and he’ll be back dealing Three Card Monte on a streetcorner near you.
It’s nice to know the check will be in the mail today and tomorrow morning I’ll still be respected.
FIFY
Vote for Michel Faulkner!!!!!!!!!
Hey soap,
My posting has been a bit sporadic lately, so I may have missed stuff. How are things at the orphanage?
Rangel: tip of the iceberg.
She can’t use her broom for sweeping the trash out of the House. It damages the aerodynamics so it won’t fly straight.
It’s a shame that Rangel is a decorated Korean War vet who is disgracing his fellow vets. So, Rangel, go join your fellows John Murtha, John Kerry, and Randy Cunningham on the “Wall of Shame”.
Pelosi is a prevaricating progressive (is there any other kind?) When they make statements like, “drain the swamp,” they need to be asked to explain what they mean by:
drain, and swamp.
Let me help with that…
Drain means to talk about it, act with outrage, claim ignorance, and go through the motions of taking some kind of action, while of course, attaching some type of new tax to any “transparency” bill.
Swamp means any Republican with contrary ideas that the Democrat views as “all wet.”
I think Pelosi is too comfortable in her role as,
The Swamp Master.
If we only knew the entire truth it would cause us to bleed out from our eyeballs. Time for a little house cleaning across the board.
***
Charlie Rangel (D) and Maxine (“socialize your industry”) Waters (D) are members of the anti-American Congressional Black Caucus–aka Congressional Black Communist racists.
***
This group went to Commie Cuba a year ago and praised the Fidel / Raul Castro government as they trashed the U.S.A. and S**T on the brave oppressed Cuban People.
***
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER! We can’t vote out crooked Charlie or Maxine unless we live in their districts. But we can vote out any RINO’s or DimocRATS who vote to keep him in the most ethical Congress evah.
***
John Bibb
***
Yup.
A point that seems to be lost on many people is that voters in 2006 and 2008 were not center-left nor far-left. They were center-right.
They were voting for “integrity, civility and fiscal discipline”, and against scandals and fiscal irresponsibility.
Instead of getting “CHANGE”, they got “AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE WORSE”.
Democrats ran on, and won on, traditional Republican principles.
Clinton never got 50% of the popular vote. Carter got only 50.1%.
Now that the curtain has been pulled back, and voters have seen what the Democrat[ic Socialist]s really stand for, voters won’t trust the Democrat[ic Socialist]s for a generation.
The only way Democrats can win elections is with election fraud, gerrymandering, or both.
Moral equivalency? They claim to be morally superior when running in elections yet when caught, they always defend themselves as not being any worse than “the other party”.
What other political party uses this as their standard campaign slogan? Substitute “suck” for “corrupt”.
Pelosi et al are so far removed from the truth that business as usual is interpreted as OK. The fact that they have corrupted the system into what it has become doesn’t cleanse it. This woman’s version of cleaning the swamp is to plant flowers around the edge and call it a pond and rent boats. She would mop and glo over filth, laminating it in place.
Every time I see a picture of Pelosi laughing I think of the Missouri mules my grandfather had when I was a kid. They brayed almost exactly in that manner; head back, mouth open with long teeth showing and eyes all bugged out. It’s scary what you remember from childhood.
Which has worked so well for them in many state and local elections, and this South Side Mob of Chicago in the WH is doing its best to carry out national election (and political) fraud to a level never seen before.
On July 30th, 2010 at 2:02 pm, TigerLady said:
Sound effects…HEEE-HAAWWW, HEEEE-HAAWWW! SNORT, SNORT. I agree, that is exactly what she looks like. Her laughter will be ending soon…count on it.
Like Rush Limbaugh stated yesterday, maybe congress will stop their rascism and finally convict a corrupt black man. I’m hoping Maxine Waters is next.
a reprimand?!? Rangel is up for less than they wanted for Joe Wilson? I think even I have enough standing to bring charges don’t I?
So why is the gang of “conservatives” on Fox suddenly defending Rangel, and why is Hannity suddenly praising Obama. Alice must be in Wonderland.
My current biggest concern is that the Obamunist will ram through “amnesty” by executive fiat…just in time for the “new citizens” to vote democrat in November. I pray to God that we can stop these evildoers [Obama, Pelosi, Reid, all the commie czars in the shadows, et al] in their tracks via the Nov. elections, but they can still further screw this country in the interim…BIG TIME.
Did anyone hear the Rangel comment yesterday, regarding this ethics process…he mentioned the word, “lynching.”
Isn’t that a racist comment? The only sound I’ve heard from ANY media, is crickets chirping….
Reprimand. You have to be $*&R#R#^&^$&##&^%&#%^ kidding me.
Thank you for that mental image (sincerely). It will help me stave off the ever-present madness that threatens my co-existence on the same planet as these lunatics.
Exactly, and the Democrats stood by watched it all happen. A September trial may be just the motivational disinfectant the voters need to “drain the swamp” themselves this November!
You’re gonna need to re-write your book.
You look back throughout history and its the little things that started a huge change of events. I believe after all the shady stuff going on this will indeed be the straw that broke the camels back. What our gov is saying is you can be a crooked politician and get away with it. Can you or I. Where is the equality in this country. We the people should stand up and say no. Call your rep and complain, or better yet meet me in DC , remember to bring torch, pitchfork, alot of tar and alot of rails.
The Republicans. Essentially, they’re running on a platform of “We’re not as bad as the other guys”. One wishes they actually had some principles to run on, but then they wouldn’t be politicians.
I think I am afflicted. When I merely see a picture of certain lib politicians (eg: Pelosi, Rangel, Boxer, Kerry, Leahy, Dodd, Frank, Dean, Schumer, Gore, J. Edwards, Carl Levin (thinks he is Ben Franklin), Bloomberg (RINO deluxe) and Reid to name a few, my blood pressure goes up, and I seriously start to feel physically ill.
Errah someone better tell her not to laugh so hard, her face may fall off. Isn’t corruption all so funny? Probably will be a sitcom next season on ABC, Charlie and Corruption Factory featuring Plastic Nan.
Errah so after Bloggo gets a pardon for keeping his big yap shut is Rangel next on the list?
He knows to much about how the tax payers have been robbed. That is why he is not given a Dishonorable Discharge.
Another puke who should be tried for Treason for selling out his office. He has no honor, and brings shame on himself, and his family.
Hey Rags! All of our kids got out on humanitarian parole which means we are freed up to do so much more. At the moment we are trying to close our field hospital as most all of our patients are healed except for the patients with really bad injuries. Then there are the patients who are homeless so, we buy property and build a house for them. Currently we have built two houses with one scheduled next week. I paint #2 tomorrow and, then, we move another patient to her new home. On top of that, my wife and I manage a guest house so, I have had little to no time to post. My web site has not been updated for some time. My blog is just sitting like a blank stare
I am also patient transport for our patients. I drive them all to their follow-up appoints all over the island so, I am too busy – and loving it! Thanks for asking.
/thread jack
I just heard on FOX a short while ago that indeed, Maxine is next!! Thank you, God.
Put enough K Street lawyers in a room and the “guilty-till-proven-innocent” crapola politician will come out smelling better than sweet toilet water.
And based on this story of who/what is paying the lawyers fees is the poster child for term limits.
Follow-The-Money
If an R did any of the stuff Rangel did the LSM would be all over it like stink on pooh.
For Happy and you I can also add reminisces of some of the smells of those mules. Frankly, I think that most politicians don’t have a fraction of the sense of mules.
“Our government teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy”.
— Louis D. Brandeis
Pelosi has led the most ARROGANT Congress ever.
Dunno if this has been posted here or not…
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/07/real_sherrod_story_still_untol.html
It’s on-topic in the sense that there is a great, big reparations machine out there right now, and it has existed a long time under people like Rangel and Waters.
This latest episode of Congressional ineptitude just adds more evidence to the premise that our Congress cannot be trusted to:
1) Act within the law.
2) Act ethically and responsibly
3) Act like “public servants”
3) Act with the best interests of American citizens in mind
Should conservatives replace the current crop of law-benders, loophole leapers, and progressive-leaning meglomaniacs, one of the first actions they take is enacting term limits.
The second thing they should do is introduce a new consumer protection law, called The Violation of Public Trust Act.
Among other provisions this act should contain is mandatory expulsion for any elected official, appointee or staff, who has violated ANY law having to do with anything fiduciary or tax-related. Also on the list should be accepting gifts, airfare, event tickets and the like…no exceptions.
I believe that when laws are enacted, the “intent” of the law is just as important as the written part. Those who try to “go around” the law, or find loopholes in the law are, in fact, violating the intent of the law. They should be booted out, for they are showing their propensity to cheat.
There should be a “no excuses” clause that applies to all laws…no more “it was an oversight.” Nor, “a staffer” this or that. Zero tolerance! Elected officials and their staffs should be above reproach.
Respectful disagreement here.
Nobody should be held to any standard but THE standard. Not higher…not lower.
Zero Tolerance is just plain stupid in application.
I get your frustration. But it won’t be addressed with a new law. That could be ignored just as well as any current law, and we don’t suffer from a lack of laws. Quite the opposite.
Voting, working, militating, and resisting are all MUCH more effective in the face of wholesale corruption like we have rampant in our Collectivist capitals now.
Please explain how not tolerating lawlessness in elected officials is stupid.
Yes, we can mobilize to put them out of office during election cycles, but what can be done to hold their feet to the fire when they still have the major part of their term left?
I would think this type of pre-emption, letting them understand with no uncertainty, that if they cross the line (violate the law) they are gone, no excuses. How can it be made anymore simple than that?
Wouldn’t this be something even the least intelligent elitist could understand…not agree with, but comprehend?
It isn’t, of course. But the allegation is not the reality.
Was Tom Delay guilty of “lawlessness”?
The law IS technicalities. I HAS to be that. It is a clumsy sledge hammer. I know, I work with it every day.
You and I want a scalpel, and we have several already.
Law is black and white, with some gray areas for circumstances (e.g. running a red light to make way for an emergency vehicle to pass.) The practice of law is based on technicalities, not the law itself. It’s those “technicalities” that counselors look for to get their clients out of hot water. I call them “loopholes” or “interpretations” that try to skirt the intent of the law in question.
We’re not talking about allegations, but rather actual violations of law, which can be proven quite simply, I would think: Did the accused follow the written or unwritten intent of the law? Can it be that simple, or must there always be an excuse for violating law? Evidence is key, is it not?
I think we’re all tired of hearing politicians excuse their unlawful actions by parsing the law; “But…the law doesn’t explicitly SAY that is prohibited!” And, it is usually uttered with some kind of smirk, grin, or release of nervous laughter.
As long as politicians know they have wriggle room to violate laws to which everyone else is held accountable, they will continue to look out for their own best interests, not the general public. So, yes, SAME standards, not higher ones.
…yes, and now over on Drudge, Maxine Waters is facing her own problems with ethics. What bunch of hypocrites.
One problem I see with that is that laws are written (or at least so it appears) by a bunch of barely hatched lawyers with absolutely no knowledge or understanding of the subject about which they are writing. Inevitably, they’re going to be stupid, overkill, and/or filled with loopholes that can be exploited by people who actually know what they’re doing. Too many of them seem to be aimed at some congressman’s (or some President’s) pet peeve, and are better off not being enforced. Seat belt laws spring immediately to mind – not that using seat belts isn’t a good idea, but that it isn’t any of the government’s business.
Tom Delay’s situation is a perfect example of what happens when you make overly restrictive rules that only apply to Republicans. Democrats exploit the rules by (1) ignoring them when they wish, and (2) using them against Republicans when they can.
In any event, I don’t see why anybody would be surprised that the ruling class ignores the law. It happens every time you create a situation where the subjects of the law are also the ones responsible for enforcing it.
The Democrat Party talking heads are quick to point out that Barney Frank has one of the “brightest minds” in Washington. Creative, maybe, since many homosexuals are renowned for it, but one of the most intelligent? Hardly.
Let’s not forget Chuck Schumer…reports from his side of the aisle, and his profile, are quick to point out that he has one of the highest IQ’s in the United States. I find him to be more sarcastic than clever…but, that’s just me.
His bright mind caused the housing crisis, banking crisis and our current economic crisis. Thanks, Barney. Being “bright” hasn’t saved us. The truly brilliant don’t have to have people going around spouting how brilliant they are. It should be obvious. What is obvious it that Barney isn’t worth the paycheck gets. He owes the country a refund.
I’m happy that Charlie Rangle’s chickens are coming home to roost, but what about Barney Frank’s and Chris Dodds?