Rangel’s Endgame
Um, to end your career with dignity, don’t you have to have conducted it 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.” and first broadcast on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
“And he’ll—he’s somebody who’s at the end of his career. Eighty years old. I’m sure that—what he wants is to be able to—end his career with dignity. And my hope is that—it happens. “
Maybe paying up his back taxes and resigning would be a good start.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on July 31, 2010 at 0811 hrs
Looks like Maxine Waters is also in a bit of trouble. I hope she too ends her career with “dignity”.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on July 31, 2010 at 0824 hrs
Let me see if I understand this…
If a Congressman from New York commits tax evasion, Obama believes that Congressman should resign/retire to preserve their dignity.
But if you a high-flying bankster from Wall Street and commit tax evasion then he’ll promote you to Secretary of the Treasury.
His inability to to hold one standard is tiresome.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on July 31, 2010 at 0857 hrs
Is this discussion really about semantics? In other words, is this really about Obama’s choice of words or Rangel’s transgressions? Would you be happier if Obama had said Rangel needs to end his career “QUIETLY”? Or even “gracefully”?
Rangel has served close to forty years as a representative for New York. It’s a shame that his “troubling transgressions” over the last couple of years may ultimately define the totality of his career. But, he made his choices. Hopefully, he will also choose to resign.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on July 31, 2010 at 1146 hrs
Rangel’s screw-ups are certainly severe enough that he should resign, but a lot of people would tell you that he did a lot of good for them over the years as their representative, and they’re not wrong either.
At the end of the day, every person on this planet leaves behind a mixed record. Politicians are no different but for the fact that their screw-ups (and successes) are magnified and fall before the public eye.
Posted by Recess Supervisor on July 31, 2010 at 1441 hrs
Everyone leaves behind a mixed record?
Nah. There are a number of highly ethical people still around.
I’m tired of having every standard in America be dictated or measured by the lowest common denominator.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on July 31, 2010 at 1645 hrs
If a Congressman from New York commits tax evasion,
if you a high-flying bankster from Wall Street and commit tax evasion
Hate to put it in black-and-white terms, but…..
Posted by dad29 on July 31, 2010 at 1726 hrs
lot of people would tell you that he did a lot of good for them over the years as their representative
All of which NEATLY fit into “Constitutionally authorized”, I’m sure.
Gummint rarely “does good” for anyone, period.
Posted by dad29 on July 31, 2010 at 1728 hrs
Everyone leaves behind a mixed record?
Nah. There are a number of highly ethical people still around.
Yeah Steve, and you follow every rule and help every old lady across the street and always always always report your use tax on out-of-state purchases.
We all do things that, in some way or to some degree, are wrong. Which is not to excuse Rangel’s behavior (something I made clear earlier). We all piss some people off and annoy others and someday when we’re all dead, some people will be sorry you’re gone, others might be glad, and most people won’t even notice. Such will be Charlie Rangel’s lot in life, mine, yours, and that of nearly everyone reading this - unless you’re famous, in which case more people might notice.
My point is that even people who we would consider ethical behave unethically all the time. Reagan did things that were unethical. Your mom did things that were unethical. The Pope is in Rome twiddling his thumbs while his priests twiddle the altar boys. Also probably unethical. Welcome to humanity.
We should simply be careful to make sure we’re passing judgment on the action and not the person - unless of course, you happen to have firsthand knowledge of what a loathsome and terrible human being Charlie Rangel is, how he beats women and steals candy from babies. And no, disagreeing with his political beliefs doesn’t make him a bad person.
Posted by Recess Supervisor on July 31, 2010 at 1801 hrs
It’s getting crowded under the Obama bus…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 01, 2010 at 1621 hrs
Hey RS,
Nobody where I work steals from the till or cheats the rules for their own personal gain. If they did, and were caught they would be walked to the door and kicked to the curb.
While I can excuse Reagan or my Mom for their transgressions I can’t excuse Rangel. The difference is that anything Reagan or my Mon did that was unethical was done for a love of country or a child. What Rangel did was for the love of money. And he did that from the perspective that you pay up, I don’t have to.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 01, 2010 at 1933 hrs
RS - Not screw-ups. He did it on purpose.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 02, 2010 at 1428 hrs
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