Who is watching Mr. Rangel on the floor?

[blogslut]

What do you think about what he's saying?

[eleny]

1. Not watching, so give us a hint

[blogslut]

4. He's pleading his case

...against the ethics charges.

[eleny]

8. Thanks

As long as he's been in the House, he deserves to have his say.

I heard he tried to make a deal but the republicans nixed it. Pfui on that after the way they treated their own who came before the committee such as Tom Delay.

[malaise]

6. It's on CSpan 1

Must watch TV

[gateley]

9. He just said "I'm here and I'm not going away" and there was applause. I just

tuned in, so don't have the specifics, but essentially he's pleading his case, not apologizing. Wants to talk to members of the ethics committee and witnesses. It's pure Rangel. He's one of a kind. I'm sure there will be lots of snips of it on the shows this evening.

[eleny]

11. Thanks

I'll be sure to catch the videos. After how Republicans shielded their own, I hope he's at least treated fairly.

[babylonsister]

2. I have him on but not really paying attention. He's defending

himself and seems a tad long-winded?
I think I'll miss him-he's an institution. But I'll wait to hear how this case turns out before condemning or defending him.

[EC]

21. He's not going anywhere...

he'll be re-elected when the time comes...

[malaise]

3. I'm loving it

Fairplay is fairplay

[slackmaster]

5. I'm at work and can't watch TV or videos

Is there tar and feathers involved?

[AlabamaLibrul]

7. "Don't let this happen to you. Don't disappear just because it's convenient."

Give the guy a fair hearing.

Fair's fair. If he's found guilty (if that's the terminology used in these hearings) then let the appropriate punishment be levied, and kick him out. If not, he's been exonerated and it was worth it for him.

Either way, he deserves a fair hearing.

[spanone]

10. when are mr ensign & tom delay going to explain their shenanigans on live teevee

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

12. He is defying the House to expel him if they have the guts

(That he won't resign to spare anyone embarrassment.)

[EC]

13. He's right

and I'm sorry but for reporters to hype the charges like he stole from someone or murdered someone is unforgiveable. The charges against Maxine are almost bogus too, wow, she asked for a meeting for her husband's bank...a meeting, not money, just a meeting...and the news hypes it up again like she stole money or got her husband the money.

[suffragette]

18. An important item to know about the charges against Maxine

She actually requested that meeting for National Bankers Association (NBA), a trade group for minority-owned banks.
And she has provided the letters that prove that.

Read more here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8870637&mesg_id=8891462

[EC]

20. That's even better,

as far as I'm concerned she did nothing wrong...and the hype pisses me off big time...

[suffragette]

22. Exactly, on both counts

[provis99]

14. yeah, the DLC types on DU have already thrown Rangel under the bus.

They'll do anything to purge the Democratic party of liberals.

[Taverner]

15. No ones watching because they have already convicted him, guilty or not

He and Waters are being thrown under the bus...no trial, no jury

It's a sad day for our party

[butterfly77]

16. I'm loving it!

[sabrina 1]

17. I don't think he'll be going away, he's one of the most popular

members of congress with his own constituency, getting over 80% of the vote many times over his long career. And I've read that the is getting much support from his district who believe he is being unfairly singled out.

He's a war hero, a fighter and was always great to watch when he took on Republicans but did it often with a sense of humor, rather than anger and viciousness.

He was fiercely against the war in Iraq and one of my favorite comments of his was when in the middle of all the fear after 9/11 he suggested that Dick Cheney had mental problems. Cheney hated him which was a huge endorsement imho.

Apparently he and Waters are being charged with ethics violations under the new ethics rules, instituted by Democrats. According to many observers, under the old rules, this would not be happening. So, the question is are Progressives being singled out and who initiated these 'investigations' right before the election?

I love Charlie even though I haven't always agreed with him. But he was there fighting for us during the awful war-mongering Bush years when so many others remained silent.

Go Charlie, I hope he survives this as many of the real criminals in our government have already been exonerated.

[disidoro01]

19. I don't know

Saying someone's unethical behavior should be ignored because other people behave unethically sounds a bit shady to me. Let him have his day and if he is found guilty of these violations, he has to go. just because someone else engages in a behavior doesn't make it right. If we also assign value based on how a party votes,we lose our high ground.
Unethical is unethical and all of those we empower to represent us must be held to high standards. Now fry me if you want but we as a society became sick of the republicans and in the last couple of elections cycles we brought in a Democratic president and a Democratic majority in Congress so don't bitch cuz the rethugs are bad and they get away with everything. Change was brought about now our leadership needs to hold true to that. Sorry for the run on.