"Frankly, he has not been around long enough to determine what my dignity is."

[babylonsister]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/08/24/quote_of_the_day.html

August 24, 2010

Quote of the Day


"Frankly, he has not been around long enough to determine what my dignity is."

-- Rep. Charles Rangel, quoted by the New York Daily News, slapping back at President Obama's unsolicited advice for him to "end his career with dignity."

[Demit]

1. oh snap.

[WI_DEM]

2. Too bad Charlie has been around so long that he like most of the long termers

feel entitled.

[GodlessBiker]

3. Yeah, he has been, Charlie.

[Raine1967]

4. Sorry Charlie, I respect you and the POTUS

but he IS the POTUS.

I Don't like what Charlie Rangel said. It doesn't bode well for him and his defense.

[BeyondGeography]

5. At least he knows what dignity is

[butterfly77]

6. Rangel needs to quit..

he and a lot of these old senators and congressmen and women are living in the past or think the country is what they see in their own surroundings,even though he gets it more than most. Its time for him to go as well as John conyers..

[ljm2002]

7. Funny how you want us to get rid of two of our most liberal members...

...what the hell is that about?

Let the Ethics Committee do its thing. We don't know yet whether these charges will pass muster, or not.

I for one am highly suspicious that the only two House members under investigation are liberal and black. Gosh, imagine that. Out of 435 members in the House, only these two are under suspicion of doing anything unethical? REALLY?

Of course the real scandal is how money influences politics, and that is built in to the system and no one is talking about changing that.

In the meantime, the corruption in both houses of Congress continues unabated, with the occasional side show so we are supposed to think they are "serious" about "policing their own".

Yeah. Right. I believe that.

:sarcasm:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. Oh good, the Martha Stewart Defense makes a return

"Sure I was corrupt as all hell, but you're just making an example out of me because I'm a woman! That means you shouldn't bother punishing me, even though I am thoroughly guilty of the charges."

Here's a reminder though:

Rep. Don Young - Investigated for corruption

Rep. Duke Cunningham - Investigated for corruption

Rep. Eric Massa - Investigated for corruption

Need I continue?

Here's an idea - Push to investigate MORE people rather than push to let crooks off the hook because of their skin color.

[ljm2002]

10. I don't think Martha Stewart should have been prosecuted at all...

...so I don't mind being accused of using a "Martha Stewart" defense. The WORST she can be accused of is lying to investigators, before she corrected it. Oh, and did you recall that she was a Democrat? And that her so-called crime occurred at a time when there was rampant corruption among CEOs? (although one might ask, was there ever a time when there was NOT rampant corruption among CEOs?)

That list you made up. Is it current? No? Then it is irrelevant.

I'm not talking about who was investigated in the past, but who is being investigated now. I strongly believe that the charges against Maxine Waters are simply trumped up. In the case of Rangel, there seems to be more "there" there. However, I will wait until the process gets farther along. If he's crooked, so be it, he should be reprimanded or punished appropriately.

On the other hand, you stated that not only Charlie Rangel but John Conyers should go. Where did that come from? Is there an ethics investigation of John Conyers? I hadn't heard about it if so. If there is not one then why, pray tell, did the name of John Conyers spring to mind as someone who ought to be kicked out along with Rangel?

In any case, my broader point is that the system is designed with corruption built in. That being the case, these ethics investigations are a joke. They are used by factions as ways to do political infighting, and I would not be at all surprised to find out there are Democrats behind it in this case, Democrats who would like to see our party become even more rightward-tilted than it already is.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

18. I didn't use any names, genius.

But nice try.

And your post is moral gymnastics at its worst. White people being prosecuted under the EXACT SAME SYSTEM is irrelevant? Nicely done. /sarcasm You "believe" these charges are "drummed up". Based on what, exactly? I think your post is a total joke.

[ljm2002]

19. Yes, I responded thinking you were the OP...

...that's why I cited the names, which as you point out, you did not mention. Sorry (ish).

The reason I think the charges against Maxine Waters are trumped up is after listening to her initial defense. First, the banker's association that she requested the meeting for, represented many banks, not just the one her husband has stock in. Second, and more importantly, is the point that Ms. Waters brings up: instead of asking why she requested the meeting, we ought to be asking, why did she have to make the request? This group of banks that serves minority and low income people mostly, was getting the runaround, at the same time bailouts were being handed out to the big guys. Imagine that.

As I said: let the chips fall where they may. If there is actual corruption, so be it. I don't think so in the case of Maxine Waters, and I think there may be some "there" there with Rangel, but I'll bet it doesn't even approach the levels of Duke Cunningham or Don Young.

I think these investigations are politically motivated. Of course in a body like the House or the Senate, I suppose they always are at some level. We shall see how it plays out.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

20. Can you not see why Waters would at least be investigated?

I too would be surprised if it amounted to anything, but there's clearly enough cause for concern to warrant some look into the matter. And there definitely is a reason to investigate Rangel.

Honestly, what it boils down to for me is that ideology or race shouldn't be a criterion for choosing *not* to investigate someone. I'd sooner ask why there aren't more Republicans being investigated than I would take issue with Waters or Rangel being investigated. That's the part I think you have backwards - I don't like the notion of defending illegal actions on the basis that someone else did it and is getting away with it. Go after THAT person, but don't defend improper conduct.

[ljm2002]

23. Fair enough...

...but I have watched the political scene with interest for many a long year now, and I made my comments precisely because these look to me like possible set-ups. I did say to let the chips fall where they may, and if punishment is due then so be it.

So you are right, certainly one could make a case for more, not fewer investigations. I join you in asking, where are the investigations of Republicans? But that's just it, and that is why this smells to me. Amid all of the ongoing dirty dealing, these are the only two they could come up with.

I do think, though, that the real problem lies much deeper. The entire system is set up in such a way as to invite corruption. Basically, lobbyists offer wads of cash to Congress critters in return for favorable legislation. Oh there are supposedly no direct quid pro quos, but we all know what's going on. That is what we need to figure out how to break, and good luck to any of us on that one.

[MessiahRp]

24. How many of them had their cases dropped by the DOJ?

Or where relevant, how many did Congress pursue to the end?

Why not add Tom DeLay to your list of futile 'never too serious about them' GOP investigations that never ended with a true resolution?

Rp

[Born_A_Truman]

26. Jerry Lewis! R-CA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Lewis_(California)#Controversies

Yet ...

Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, was the subject of a criminal probe by Justice over his dealings with a former-lawmaker-turned-lobbyist. Despite a lengthy probe, Lewis was never charged with wrongdoing.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40682.html#ixzz0xl08YGtr

[MessiahRp]

25. I don't care what side you're on. If you take bribes or are corrupt, GTFO.

I don't want a corrupt Congress from either side. Corporations own our government enough as it is. Real jail penalties and bulldog, bi-partisan investigators would make that shit pretty difficult to continue in a hurry.

Rp

[TheKentuckian]

11. What in the world is wrong with Conyers?

[TheKentuckian]

13. What is your issue with Conyers?????

[vaberella]

9. Sorry Rangel, you're dirty dealing is up. n/t

[Honeycombe8]

12. I don't know why those old guys want to hang on so long....

it must be a pretty good seat with a golden goose.

He's in his 80's. Past retirement age. While I think that most people should be able to work as long as they are able, let's be frank: When you're in your 80's, a person no longer has the stamina, energy, passion, or curiosity to do a great job. It's time to hang up the boots.

I guess they get used to the spotlight, people recognizing them, the freebie perks, the best tables at restaurants, and the like. In addition to not having to pay taxes and getting money under the table.

[AtomicKitten]

14. "Harrumph."

[saltpoint]

15. The facts of the case aside -- since I have not seen

them anyway -- this sounds to me as if Rangel asked for support from the White House and was told none would be forthcoming.

I don't know who knows what and who doesn't.

A distinct possibility exists that the White House is right to withhold support. There's a 'maybe' in there, yes.

But it might be a strong 'maybe.'

[depakid]

16. A fair riposte

Considering the record that the erstwhile Constitutional law professor has complied in his time in federal office(s).

Or in legal publications.

[smalll]

17. LOL Good Ol' Charlie -- he's clearly going down fighting -- with real style --

and as much as this line of his is so apt because yes, perhaps, a certain someone might have better studied under someone else with more experience over these four years or so rather than rise to the top so far and so fast -- better, perhaps, for all of us...

"at the end of the day" this marvelous, self-serving sound-bite is just that: a marvelous, self-serving sound-bite.

[Orsino]

21. Rangel has been around a little too long to end his career with dignity. n/t

[Pisces]

22. You gotta know when to fold em.