Open Thread: Charlie Rangel Doesn't 'Deal in Average American Citizens'
After the disgraced New York Democrat got his official slap on the wrist yesterday, he held a press conference. The following exchange occured with Washington Times reporter Kerry Picket:
PICKET:There’s been criticism from the floor tonight essentially comparing you to the average American citizen, who, if they went through similar circumstances such as yourself that they may be punished in a worse way. What’s your response to that?
REP. RANGEL: What paper are you from?
PICKET: Pardon?
REP. RANGEL: What paper are you from?
PICKET: Washington Times, sir.
REP. RANGEL: What’s the question? Can you kind of make the question a little more exact? This criticism came from the floor? The floor can’t speak. Who said what?
PICKET: Well basically….
REP. RANGEL: What is the question?
PICKET: I’m just asking what is your response to criticism that if the average American citizen. Someone who is not a congressman
REP. RANGEL:Please, I’m not a psychiatrist. I don’t deal in average American citizens. Citizens are diverse. They are broad. I don’t know what is average, and so I don’t really agree… I’ll come back to you when you think of a good question.
Ah, the humility. Share your thoughts, but let's try to keep it civil (as tough as it may be).
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Comments
In other words
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:23am.
Like many democrats, they do their own thing and to hell with their constituents.
-Jon
What a pompous, arrogant jacka$$...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 4:45pm.
This man had just been officially censured by an overwhelming majority of his colleagues in the House...Is he contrite? Is he remorseful for his actions? Is he ashamed for having committed acts in violation of the law, and for breaking rules of ethics as a member of the House? No. Instead, Rangel continued to offer up bs laden excuses and explanations for his conduct, and then arrogantly played word games with a reporter who dared to ask him a question he didn't want to answer.
Arrogant a$$.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Everytime this douchebag
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:51am.
Everytime this douchebag opens his mouth he brings to mind the ' N ' word for me............narcissistic......
Barack_Must_Go.....
Oh, there's another N word for Charlie...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:54am.
... and most of my black friends use it when discussing this douche bag.
Pompous back half of a donkey
Submitted by tampamom25 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:30am.
Grinning like a cheshire cat, gesturing broadly and arrogantly.....Charlie's excruciatingly horrible punishment is over (sarcasm inserted there) and now he knows he can get back to business as usual. TERM LIMITS!!! We need to get rid of the ruling class in DC:o(
The best argument for term limits that exists.
Submitted by c5then on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:31am.
Some of these carreer professional politicians assume that they are some type of "nobility" and are exempt from the laws that govern average everyday citizens.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
C5then, Sometimes they make
Submitted by Hunter12 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:51am.
C5then, Sometimes they make themselves exempt from the laws they foist upon us:
http://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/congress-exempts-itself-from-insider-trading-laws/
http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nfjul10/nf071510-4.htm
http://www.rules.house.gov/Archives/jcoc2ai.htm
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Oy
Submitted by mnemosyne23 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:34am.
*rubs temples* You know, i want to keep this civil. I really do. But the only response I have at the moment is an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face. Just a good, solid right hook. And then I'd kick him while he was down by shouting, "And pluck your fricking eyebrows before your forehead flies away, LOSER!"
----
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
~General John Stark, 1809
The people of NY get exactly
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:35am.
The people of NY get exactly what they voted for.
My thought exactly, Dan.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 12:00pm.
Term limits would do no good in a district populated with idiots. They would just elect the hand picked replacement of the local kingmaker. Kind of like Russia where Poot'en picked Medvedev to replace him, and then he will step back in the next election.
Sort of reminds me of the Roman Empire, North Korea, Cuba, China, etc. The only way you stop it is to destroy it, totally..
This is not a Double Standard
Submitted by Hunter12 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:41am.
This is a triple standard. You get one treatment as an average American. You get a different type as a Republican politician and you get the third as a Democrat. Rangel should be shredded for this response to an honest question, unless he is so stupid he didn't understand it. If such is the case, his constituents should be ashamed of themselves for sending this guy back to Congress. This can't be the best that a vibrant community can find to represent them. He gives out 30 turkeys a year and takes millions in kickbacks for votes. I'd like to see some forensic accountants go through his books for the last 50 years and follow the money back to the vote. That's what would happen to a normal person. Charlie gets his slap on the wrist and gets to keep all his ill-gotten gains.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Rangel gets a STANDING OVATION
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 11:59am.
This is why I say "censure" is even less than a slap on the wrist.
Weasel Zippers has a great rundown. although a bit in jumbled order:
Charlie Rangel gets a standing ovation AFTER the censure
(second video)
And Rangle says...
Submitted by ThisnThat on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 3:13pm.
"I guess this was done to teach someone a lesson" {Rangle thinking: but not me. I don't deserve this. Taking one for the team. I know you don't mean it. My constituants all love me. America loves me. Life isn't fair, but those POS republicans got their way again. Now let's get back to business. Love the Standing 'O', BTW. [[Tears welling up]] }
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
Pot Meet Kettle
Submitted by Utherpend on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 12:07pm.
This goes to show that Charlie still doesnt and most likely never will "get it." He is a dinosaur who needs to be put out to pasture and never, ever talked to again.
You all should read about Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
Submitted by TheHistorian on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 12:09pm.
Powell was the thief that represented this district before Rangel. He was caught with his hand in the till. He was expelled from the House for his behavior (and it was a DEMOCRAT HOUSE ALSO). There is still Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Blvd in Harlem, and the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr building.
Rangel will follow in his footsteps. Incidentally, Powell's grandson intends to challenge Rangel in the primary.
Dennis Prager
Hereditary Congressional Seats
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 2:20pm.
*Arrrrghhh*
This happens all the time, passed down from father to son, to son. Here in Florida, we have yet another Connie Mack (he's an idiot) who wants his grandad's old seat. So far so good, he hasn't been elected to it.
BTW, I met Adam Clayton Powell when I was a little kid. We were on Bimini (tiny little Bahamian island closest to the US)....I was with my parents, and the man fell over himself to introduce himself to us. It was rather shocking! Powell was probably in self exile at that point, and delighted to see Americans, who knows? But as most little kids do, I remembered the wierdness of the situation, not actually the person. Just like I remember my mom taking me to see JFK, I don't remember seeing him, but I remember my mom saying "this is important", and I remember sitting on the roof of the car. She says he saw the little blonde toe-headed girl sitting on the roof (same age as her highness, like ya know, Caroline) and waved at me!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
You saw JFK when?
Submitted by Newsbubba on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 4:02pm.
Blonde, you are just a baby! How did you get so conservative in so few years?
No need to answer. I'll never mention age again, young lady!
I'm just lucky, Bubba
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 4:13pm.
I was born conservative. :)
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I was born naked.
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Sat, 12/04/2010 - 4:06am.
I was born naked.
And the great JWF/Blonde rift of 2010 begins....
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 12/04/2010 - 4:40am.
Hey Blonde, it is tow-headed
Definition of TOWHEAD
1 : a low alluvial island or shoal in a river : sandbar
2 : a head of hair resembling tow especially in being flaxen or tousled; also : a person having such a head of hair
Unless you had a bulbous misshapen head resembling a big toe. In that case, carry on... Well, there is a bit more, if I had a child with a head that looked like a big toe, I would put it ont he roof of the car when I drove too. Wait, I don't think that was the purpose of your post...
Ok. Ok. I kid the Blonde. I did say the alphabet only had 24 letters a week ago. I am still wandering about looking for that missing letter.Good one, JWF...fortunately 2010 is coming to a close
Submitted by Blonde on Sat, 12/04/2010 - 6:39am.
You got me, good!
I must have been thinking of "Toe the Line" vs. "Tow the Line". Which, of course is rather obscure, but the former being somewhat more correct than the latter.
And I assure you, my head doesn't look like a toe at all, (at least I hope not).
I wouldn't worry too much about that alphabet thing. Heck, if Barack can add a couple of states, you can lose a couple of letters. We could probably lose the "q" (which could easily be replaced with the combination of "kw", and would cut down on the use of "u"). And lets see, how about the "x" as well, for which we could use "eks". As in Eks-lib's SN.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
~I figured
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sat, 12/04/2010 - 3:35pm.
it was a typo since 'e' is next to 'w'.
And JWF, you should be looking for two other letters. OMO, it's behind you! Look behind you, man! Loo--
Oh. Oh, that looks painful. He's gonna need some ointment for that; 'x' doesn't like to be forgotten.
I thinks chose needs the chapstick fer the brain.
Submitted by The Vet on Sun, 12/05/2010 - 9:50am.
Or wear a hat, the cold is getting to you. ;-)
You thought I was joking when I brainfarted with the 24 letters in the alphabet.
Now I am purposely joking with 25 and you think I am serious.
I is all of the shame that chose and I cannot get on the same pages no mores. I kick a rock on the grou.... Hey there it is! X
~...
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Mon, 12/06/2010 - 11:40am.
Iz got teh joke, Iz was making more of teh funny. ;-p
I.... But I.... Oh wait....
Submitted by The Vet on Mon, 12/06/2010 - 4:47pm.
Dang it. (Whap) (Whap) My funny meter seems to be out of phase.
L and M, they were kikked out
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Sun, 12/05/2010 - 6:28am.
L and M, they were kikked out for smoking.
GK Butterfield (D-NC)
Submitted by okiehawk44 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 12:12pm.
Butterfield stated last night that the proven charge against Rangel that he used his congressional office letterhead to raise (extort?) money from big potential donors who had or might have business before the powerful Ways & Means Com't. of which he was the chairman would not have even been a violation had he used plain paper. So therefore it was a frivolous charge?
This put me in mind of a person who walks into a grocery store, selects a banana, goes to the cashier and pays for it and walks out -- nothing illegal there right -- versus the same person who walks into the same grocery store, selects a banana, hides it down his pants or somewhere and then walks out of the store without paying. That one difference Mr Butterfield and all you Rangel supporters makes it a crime.
And can brave military service often mentioned by Rangel and his supporters last night provide someone with amnesty for life? If that is the case I wonder what Rangel and his supporters said about a much more decorated Vietnam War vet -- Duke Cunningham (R-CA) -- who was the first Navy air ace of the war and was rightly sentenced to prison for accepting bribes and tax evasion and the biggest one of all for me -- Timothy McVeigh -- he was an Army veteran of the 1st Gulf War and received the same Bronze Star as did Rangel. As a veteran myself I bet I could find many more examples of once heroic war veterans who later in life committed all manner of crimes against society and didn't deserve even one mention of their war record and certainly not to be used as Rangel and friends tried to do as a lifelong amnesty for his illegal actions. You are a disgrace Rangel to all those who served in Korea and didn't (DID NOT) come home and commit one illegal act after another for the past 60 years.
Rangel is the new poster boy for what is arrogantly wrong in DC.
You can always tell
Submitted by Model850 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 12:20pm.
You can always tell someone is ducking a question when they take everything literally.
REP. RANGEL: What’s the question? Can you kind of make the question a little more exact? This criticism came from the floor? The floor can’t speak.
"The floor can't speak."
Keeping things as civil as possible, that is just ignorant. A more transparent attempt at ducking a question you would be hard pressed to find.
This proves that censure is both pointless and useless.
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 1:09pm.
No sooner done than Rangel, completely unchastened, is back to acting like a smarta$$ and showing his a$$.
So much for censure. He wasn't kidding: This sure ain't no damn funeral!
I don't ever need to hear another word from this man.
But Rangel is a Christian man
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 1:31pm.
But Rangel is a Christian man and we should give him the benefit of the doubt.
That's right. "The floor
Submitted by ant on Sat, 12/04/2010 - 3:02pm.
That's right. "The floor can't speak". And Democrats can't tell the truth, Pelosi can't do math, and Rangel can't be humble or remorseful. In a just world the people (the "average" ones) should already have these "people" in orange jumpsuits cleaning up trash on the highway. In fact, forget about the orange, make them gray asphalt colored jumpsuits.
Fun Fact
Submitted by Gothampc on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 1:24pm.
Charlie Rangel's district includes Harlem which is where Bill Clinton has his office.
I dare a journalist to ask Bill Clinton: How does it feel having an ethically challenged man represent you in Congress?
http://www.dnainfo.com/20101108/harlem/bill-clinton-renews-lease-on-harlem-office-space
I'd think that Bill Clinton would be fine with it...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 1:56pm.
since he is an ethically challenged man himself, and probably sees Rangel as a kindred spirit who he "understands"....Just a guess.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Birds of a featherj...
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 2:22pm.
two peas in a pod....brothers from a different mother.
IOW, Identically Corrupt Twins.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Precisely...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 2:50pm.
You're not going to see any dumping on Rangel from Bubba.
As you said...Birds of a feather.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Given what the IRS did to my Alzheimers-afflicted father,
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 1:39pm.
...Charlie Rangel can rot in Hell, along with the two people who brought this worthless lowlife POS into the world in the first place.
FU and go straight to jail, you lying, criminal bastard.
Vote for the American in November
Rangel is a hypocrite and a crook...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 1:51pm.
and if I hear his "war story" about his supposed heroic Korean War exploits one more time, I'll scream...I really don't care what he may or may not have done in Korea. The fact remains that today, he is a hypocrite and a crook, and if I had my way, he wouldn't be simply censured...He'd be expelled from the House.
What really galled me in addition to Rangel's continuous blathering on about his lifelong committment to public service, blah, blah, blah, was the fact that after he was formally censured, many of the same people who had just voted to censure him, actually applauded when he walked off the House floor! What were they applauding? The fact that he managed to stay out of jail for all this? That he managed to hang onto his House seat? What crap. It's just this type of hypocritical, old boy, in-the-club garbage that people hate about our government, and there it was, for all to see, right on the floor of the House of Representatives...Makes me ill.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Better yet
Submitted by Model850 on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 3:54pm.
"He'd be expelled from the House."
Better yet, he'd be in prison like any one of us would be had we done what he did.
Precisely...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 4:50pm.
Rangel's situation is another example that the rules that apply to the rest of us, just don't seem to apply to those in power.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Paging Rick Lail
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 2:25pm.
Um, what is going on up there in the Carolinas? Because I read a short blurb yesterday that Silky Pony Boy's two closest aides were seen leaving the Federal Court House.
Can you say Federal Indictment? I knew you could.
But alas, as is just typical....all mention of same has totally disappeared from the media.
Hope you have some local news to lend to the story, Rick.
P.S. GO GAMECOCKS!!!! I'm hoping the Old Ball Coach, Steven O. Spurrier, manages to join yet another elite club....a coach who has won the SEC Title with two different teams.
Of course, $cam Newton has been "cleared to play" (for now) by the NCAA. Wonder how much that cost?
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Go Gamecocks!
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 2:42pm.
You betcha! I'm from the Carolinas originally (born in North Carolina and also lived in South Carolina), and have family there (both states), and in fact, my dad is an alumni of University of South Carolina, so it's great to see the Gamecocks doing well...Spurrier seems to be doing a good job there...Hope it continues!
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
I'm behind ya'll 100%, Prairie
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 2:59pm.
So how excited is your Dad? Words probably don't work, huh?
If USCe wins (oh how I hope)....the first thing you want to do is hit the interwebs to buy your dad some South Carolina SEC Championship gear for Christmas....I have lots of stuff from various Gator championships, and it makes me smile every time I wear it (like my $100 silver belt buckle, with both a football and a basketball and "National Champions"....first time every done...it was expensive, but I love it).
Cool Greg Norman style Golf Hats, Sweatshirts, etc. T-shirts are okay, but they wear out fast.
Here's to SOS and his QB Garcia, may you shred Auburn (remember Steve Spurrier is a master of the rematch, *ahem* 2006 BCSCG vs. FSU)
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I am sooo there, Blonde!!!
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 3:15pm.
I've got Gamecock gear already staked out for my dad, and yes, he is very happy with how they're doing this year! We'd all love to see them win the SEC championship...How great would that be?? Fingers crossed!!
GO GAMECOCKS!!!!
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Freezing in NC!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 4:10pm.
The Breck Girl may just have to cop a plea, just like the ex governor just did up here. I think all of his aids are having to roll over on him to save their own asses, but the coverage is very thin up here, too. Still mostly secret Grand Jury testimony, but not looking good. Every time one goes in, they call in two more. Somebody's talking.
I hate this place!
Get thee back to the Rock!
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 6:16pm.
Not good to be away for so long....you'll freeze if you have to wear long pants for more than three days running.
Silly man.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
The Road to Ka-BULL
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 2:50pm.
I wonder how many Mosks the President will visit in his surprise trip to Afghanistan? There are so many to choose.
I am sure the troops were delighted when he rolled up -- they had been told their surprise guests were the 2011 Sports Illustrated models -- with two members of the Cage Aux Folles cast for the DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL crowd.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
poser
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 3:09pm.
I saw him posing with that bomber jacket or whatever that was, looked like someone was trying to make him look good with hands on his elbows and all that rot. It was amazing how contrived it looked, they weren't even trying. Poor Petraeus looked uncomfortable. If you look at the troops behind them, there aren't a whole lotta smiles to be seen.
Couldn't leave the room fast enough.
-Jon
Poser...Everything Obama does in the presence of the military...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 4:26pm.
looks contrived, because it is contrived. He is completely out of his element when he's around military members, so the props that he uses (the jacket, the music, the patriotic, military bunting and staging) all seem that much more absurd. I come from a family with lots of military, and I've heard my husband, father and father-in-law all use the term "rent-a-crowd" for situations like this...The CIC is coming, so the troops are all brought out for the requisite photo-op, whether they like it or not...The president, whoever he is (even if he's a fool like Obama), is the CIC, and so this is a command performance. I feel for the troops when we have a president like Obama, and Clinton and Carter before him...They are all such pretenders when it comes to dealing with the military, because they are all totally clueless, and especially in Clinton's and Obama's case(s), they both have a disrespect and a contempt for the military that they try to conceal...It's all such a farce.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
"With two members
Submitted by UpNorth on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 3:04pm.
of the Cage Aux Folles cast"? Post alerts, Jack, I choked on my hot chocolate. Yeah, i wonder how long the TOTUS kept the troops waiting in the hangar, for his exaltedness to appear?
Seems he couldn't find the door, or Petraeus was still offering to find the jackwagon's cojones for him, so he could venture out of the bunker.
UpNorth Sorry about the
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 3:36pm.
UpNorth
Sorry about the chocolate
I can just hear general orders last night:
"Okay guys you have a choice... you can volunteer for a near suicide mission behind enemy lines. with the a 99% chance you won't be home for Christmas --
or you can meet President Obama in a nice safe hangar with the heat turned up... followed by eat all you can Turkey dinner...
Come on guys, not one? Really?""
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Microchip implant allows camel-washers to talk to God
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 3:52pm.
Isn't technology wonderful?
Vote for the American in November
Insertion made easer with a coating of pig fat....
Submitted by upcountrywater on Fri, 12/03/2010 - 4:50pm.
When will I read about this on weakieleaks?
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20101203/D9JSDCF00.html
However, the ultimate purpose of the X-37B and details about the craft have longed remained a mystery, though experts said the spacecraft was intended to speed up development of combat-support systems and weapons systems.
You Didn't Build That.