Rep Rangel addresses his recent troubles.
September 21, 2008 6:50 PM Subscribe
Congressman Charles Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has called Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin disabled.
While he has since apologized for his statements, Rep. Rangel continues to recover from a string of recent embarrassments. He didn't pay taxes on rental income for a beach house in the Dominican Republic; he used three rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem, including one for a campaign office; he used his congressional stationery to drum up private donations to a college center named after him. He is working to rectify these oversights but the explanation that some of the problems were because of a Spanish language barrier have been met with some skepticism. He recently held a congressional news conference where he addressed the issues.
While he has since apologized for his statements, Rep. Rangel continues to recover from a string of recent embarrassments. He didn't pay taxes on rental income for a beach house in the Dominican Republic; he used three rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem, including one for a campaign office; he used his congressional stationery to drum up private donations to a college center named after him. He is working to rectify these oversights but the explanation that some of the problems were because of a Spanish language barrier have been met with some skepticism. He recently held a congressional news conference where he addressed the issues.
This post was deleted for the following reason: The Palin angle of this would be more than welcome in one of the several open threads in which discussion of Palin is occurring; as a post this feels more like weak-sauce Media Narrative than anything, and if there's a worthwhile post to be made about Rangel qua Rangel, it could be done a lot better. -- cortex
Sounds like precisely the kind of politician who needs to be voted out of office. I hope his opposing party is running a more honest, sensible person against him.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:53 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by five fresh fish at 6:53 PM on September 21, 2008
Calling Sarah Palin disabled is not funny. But this is.
posted by punkfloyd at 6:56 PM on September 21, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by punkfloyd at 6:56 PM on September 21, 2008 [4 favorites]
Metafilter: Calling out a poorly-framed quote with a poorly-framed FPP.
posted by dhammond at 6:57 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by dhammond at 6:57 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
I love this man.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 6:59 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 6:59 PM on September 21, 2008
While my post may not be the best, the quote was pretty much exact. You can watch the entire thing on the video embedded in the link.
posted by pearlybob at 7:00 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by pearlybob at 7:00 PM on September 21, 2008
The mods will delete a post faster if you flag it while wearing only your underwear.
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 7:02 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 7:02 PM on September 21, 2008
Yeah, that's kind of poor taste, but it's pretty much SOP for election season.
And honestly, the more you read about this woman? Christ on whole wheat toast, what a train wreck she is! Does anybody want to guess on the odds that McCain actually has to dump her from the ticket before the election a la Thomas Eagleton?
posted by Naberius at 7:03 PM on September 21, 2008
And honestly, the more you read about this woman? Christ on whole wheat toast, what a train wreck she is! Does anybody want to guess on the odds that McCain actually has to dump her from the ticket before the election a la Thomas Eagleton?
posted by Naberius at 7:03 PM on September 21, 2008
"You got to be kind to the disabled."
That's memorable. Pathological lying is a disability.
posted by nickyskye at 7:05 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
That's memorable. Pathological lying is a disability.
posted by nickyskye at 7:05 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
That's the most horrible thing that's happened in this country in eight years.
posted by PlusDistance at 7:08 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by PlusDistance at 7:08 PM on September 21, 2008
They're rewriting the debate rules to make them "fairer" for her. Fuck it, she's not as able as her opponent. Is it fair to say that she's...differently able?
posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:09 PM on September 21, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:09 PM on September 21, 2008 [2 favorites]
Perhaps he meant to say that she is a handicap for the republican party. Or perhaps he stumbled on saying "completely unqualified/undeserving/ridiculous as vp nomimee".
posted by blue_beetle at 7:10 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by blue_beetle at 7:10 PM on September 21, 2008
Charlie Rangel walked very slowly into an ice cream parlor and pulled himself slowly, painfully, up onto a stool. After catching his breath, he ordered a banana split.
The waitress asked kindly, 'Crushed nuts?'
'No,' he replied, 'Arthritis.'
posted by netbros at 7:11 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
The waitress asked kindly, 'Crushed nuts?'
'No,' he replied, 'Arthritis.'
posted by netbros at 7:11 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
The mods will delete a post faster if you flag it while wearing only your underwear.
even faster if you're wearing theirs.
posted by jonmc at 7:11 PM on September 21, 2008
even faster if you're wearing theirs.
posted by jonmc at 7:11 PM on September 21, 2008
Now, there's some straight talk.
posted by tula at 7:13 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by tula at 7:13 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
The angle of the Rangel is proportional to the heat of the meat.
posted by The Straightener at 7:14 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by The Straightener at 7:14 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
Does anybody want to guess on the odds that McCain actually has to dump her from the ticket before the election a la Thomas Eagleton?
Uh, a 0% chance? The GOP does not admit mistakes.
posted by interrobang at 7:15 PM on September 21, 2008
Uh, a 0% chance? The GOP does not admit mistakes.
posted by interrobang at 7:15 PM on September 21, 2008
I believe that he soon after clarified that he meant she is politically disabled - as in, she is a liability - which to most people with common sense, she is.
Why? Because she's horrifyingly under qualified. A lot.
This is kind of a lame post about a non-story, from my perspective.
posted by kbanas at 7:16 PM on September 21, 2008 [2 favorites]
Why? Because she's horrifyingly under qualified. A lot.
This is kind of a lame post about a non-story, from my perspective.
posted by kbanas at 7:16 PM on September 21, 2008 [2 favorites]
Dear US Political System,
Fuck you and the fuck you fucked in on.
-Me.
posted by Dr-Baa at 7:16 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
Fuck you and the fuck you fucked in on.
-Me.
posted by Dr-Baa at 7:16 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
To be fair, Rangel has also described Cheney as "... a real son of a bitch, he just enjoys a confrontation... " He told the newspaper Cheney may need to go to "rehab" for "whatever personality deficit he may have suffered... When you have those sorts of problems, you're supposed to seek help," Rangel said. "He acknowledged that he has problems with communication."
So he's batting .500 on Veeps.
He also has a purple heart and a Bronze star! Why do you hate our troops, Rangel critics?!?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:17 PM on September 21, 2008
So he's batting .500 on Veeps.
He also has a purple heart and a Bronze star! Why do you hate our troops, Rangel critics?!?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:17 PM on September 21, 2008
Damn, that is an insult to disabled people.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 7:20 PM on September 21, 2008 [7 favorites]
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 7:20 PM on September 21, 2008 [7 favorites]
Maybe he's a little upset about remarks like this:
"The truth is that Hispanics came here as conquerors," he said. "African-Americans came here as slaves.
"Hispanics consider themselves above blacks. They won't vote for a black president."
or this:
“Just from what little I’ve seen of her and Mr. Obama, Sen. Obama, they’re a member of an elitist-class individual that thinks that they’re uppity,”
posted by any major dude at 7:25 PM on September 21, 2008
"The truth is that Hispanics came here as conquerors," he said. "African-Americans came here as slaves.
"Hispanics consider themselves above blacks. They won't vote for a black president."
or this:
“Just from what little I’ve seen of her and Mr. Obama, Sen. Obama, they’re a member of an elitist-class individual that thinks that they’re uppity,”
posted by any major dude at 7:25 PM on September 21, 2008
"Charlie Rangel's comments are clearly disgraceful," Rep. Peter King, R-Long Island, said. "This is just another liberal Democrat who can't accept an independent woman running for president."
Running for which?
posted by mendel at 7:25 PM on September 21, 2008 [2 favorites]
Running for which?
posted by mendel at 7:25 PM on September 21, 2008 [2 favorites]
The mods will delete a post faster if you flag it while wearing only your underwear.
Can I keep my socks on?
posted by homunculus at 7:27 PM on September 21, 2008
Can I keep my socks on?
posted by homunculus at 7:27 PM on September 21, 2008
Forget about Eagleton, people! The revelations about his treatment did damage McGovern, but his subsequent replacement only made the campaign look inept, confused, deceitful, and a little mean, and probably hurt it further rather than helping. (It's hard to argue McGovern would have done worse by keeping Eagleton on the ticket — the man only won two states.) The cautionary example of Eagleton is exactly why McCain wouldn't dump Palin if it wanted to, which I doubt.
Or maybe I'm totally missing your sarcasm?
posted by enn at 7:27 PM on September 21, 2008
Or maybe I'm totally missing your sarcasm?
posted by enn at 7:27 PM on September 21, 2008
Do I smell manufactured outrage?
Yes, I do! YUMMY manufactured outrage.
About an uppittyni, er, New Yorker with -- Edith, did you see that? -- with conked ni nap, uh, ethnic hair. Probably drives a big Cadillac with the Welfare Mommas in "da hood", wink, wink, know what I mean? And like all those people he didn't pay his taxes. Whatta surprise, huh?
Hey, you know who is an uppitty, I mean, a black guy? Yeah, that Barry Hussain Osama. You just know if he gets into the White House we'll see people like Rangel in the cabinet. Those people stick together, you know, it's that Affirmative Action.
Mmm, mmm, more manufactured outrage for the bitter counties, mmm hmm!!
posted by orthogonality at 7:32 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
Yes, I do! YUMMY manufactured outrage.
About an uppitty
Hey, you know who is an uppitty, I mean, a black guy? Yeah, that Barry Hussain Osama. You just know if he gets into the White House we'll see people like Rangel in the cabinet. Those people stick together, you know, it's that Affirmative Action.
Mmm, mmm, more manufactured outrage for the bitter counties, mmm hmm!!
posted by orthogonality at 7:32 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
Aah, good - thanks for posting this. I now have another link in the catalog for when I am asked to defend my position that the Republicans have nothing to run on this year except umbrage, and will seek to use it as a distraction every time the facts start turning in their direction.
posted by deadmessenger at 7:33 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by deadmessenger at 7:33 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
You know who else manufactured outrage?
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:36 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:36 PM on September 21, 2008
Rep. Peter King, R-Long Island, said. "This is just another liberal Democrat who can't accept an independent woman running for president."
Hey, Congressman King... 1984 called, and it wants its Geraldine Ferraro hairdo back!
posted by jonp72 at 7:36 PM on September 21, 2008
Hey, Congressman King... 1984 called, and it wants its Geraldine Ferraro hairdo back!
posted by jonp72 at 7:36 PM on September 21, 2008
Rangel is a world class tax and rent control cheat. I hope he gets nailed for those crimes. I don't really care what he has to say about Palin, though.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 7:39 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 7:39 PM on September 21, 2008
Aah, good - thanks for posting this. I now have another link in the catalog for when I am asked to defend my position that the Republicans have nothing to run on this year except umbrage, and will seek to use it as a distraction every time the facts start turning in their direction.
I'm pretty damn liberal. I'm voting for Obama and Biden. But this is unacceptable. To use "disabled" as an insult? And then to apologize by saying that Palin is "disadvantaged" and "an obviously healthy person who in no way fits the description of disabled."? Not cool. Not only does he go with an ad hominem attack, he implies that disabled people are ... what? To be treated kindly, as objects of pity?
It's crap like this that reflects a continuing inability of many non-disabled people in our society to recognize that disabled people are people too - people worthy of respect, people worthy of being listened to.
posted by spaceman_spiff at 7:41 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
I'm pretty damn liberal. I'm voting for Obama and Biden. But this is unacceptable. To use "disabled" as an insult? And then to apologize by saying that Palin is "disadvantaged" and "an obviously healthy person who in no way fits the description of disabled."? Not cool. Not only does he go with an ad hominem attack, he implies that disabled people are ... what? To be treated kindly, as objects of pity?
It's crap like this that reflects a continuing inability of many non-disabled people in our society to recognize that disabled people are people too - people worthy of respect, people worthy of being listened to.
posted by spaceman_spiff at 7:41 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
The irony here is that the Governor of NY, David Patterson, also a Democrat, is legally blind (and an extremely capable, intelligent, and so far effective governor). Wrangel is a first rate stooge, and a disgrace to the party.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 7:49 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by SeizeTheDay at 7:49 PM on September 21, 2008
He should have just called her a moron. Or a cretin. Or an imbecile. Or an idiot. Or any other historical term for the mentally infirm that has been successfully integrated into the language as a term of insult.
posted by felix betachat at 7:50 PM on September 21, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by felix betachat at 7:50 PM on September 21, 2008 [2 favorites]
No, no! If one democrat is a bad person, then they are all bad!
posted by yhbc at 7:50 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by yhbc at 7:50 PM on September 21, 2008
Hey, you know who is an uppitty, I mean, a black guy? Yeah, that Barry Hussain Osama. You just know if he gets into the White House we'll see people like Rangel in the cabinet. Those people stick together, you know, it's that Affirmative Action.
This would have worked a lot better if you'd gotten Obama's name right.
posted by Caduceus at 7:51 PM on September 21, 2008
This would have worked a lot better if you'd gotten Obama's name right.
posted by Caduceus at 7:51 PM on September 21, 2008
Do I smell manufactured outrage?
Actually, no. Despite my cracking wise, it was a pretty shit thing to say. If a Republican had said such a stupid and ignorant thing about a Democrat - and they have - would you consider the outrage generated manufactured or illegitimate? There will most certainly be folks who'll try to make hay out of it, but that's a fairly universal political tactic. Rangel is obviously an ass, and deserves plenty of scorn for both the inherent ignorance of his comment and the damage it will possibly do to his party and its candidates.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:51 PM on September 21, 2008
Actually, no. Despite my cracking wise, it was a pretty shit thing to say. If a Republican had said such a stupid and ignorant thing about a Democrat - and they have - would you consider the outrage generated manufactured or illegitimate? There will most certainly be folks who'll try to make hay out of it, but that's a fairly universal political tactic. Rangel is obviously an ass, and deserves plenty of scorn for both the inherent ignorance of his comment and the damage it will possibly do to his party and its candidates.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:51 PM on September 21, 2008
None of your pollies have anything on this guy.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:54 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:54 PM on September 21, 2008
Do I smell manufactured outrage?
The republicans must have setup an outrage factory this year given the amount that they've managed to produce during this election.
posted by octothorpe at 7:57 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
The republicans must have setup an outrage factory this year given the amount that they've managed to produce during this election.
posted by octothorpe at 7:57 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
He should have just called her a moron. Or a cretin. Or an imbecile. Or an idiot.
Asshat. I prefer asshat. In fact, the term asshat (which I first encountered on these hallowed blue pages), was such a lyrical and descriptive term that it was a major reason I signed up.
So, asshat. Palin first, and then Rangel.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 7:59 PM on September 21, 2008
Asshat. I prefer asshat. In fact, the term asshat (which I first encountered on these hallowed blue pages), was such a lyrical and descriptive term that it was a major reason I signed up.
So, asshat. Palin first, and then Rangel.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 7:59 PM on September 21, 2008
Caduceus writes "This would have worked a lot better if you'd gotten Obama's name right."
No offense, but:
Joke dialog written from the point of view of a racist Obama hater <---
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your head, which joke is whoosing over <---
posted by orthogonality at 7:59 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
No offense, but:
Joke dialog written from the point of view of a racist Obama hater <---
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your head, which joke is whoosing over <---
posted by orthogonality at 7:59 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
Calling Vice-Presidential Candidates insulting names is one thing, but misappropriation of congressional stationary? He just crossed the line.
posted by mannequito at 8:02 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by mannequito at 8:02 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
Actually, no. Despite my cracking wise, it was a pretty shit thing to say.
100% agreed. But the problem with the Right Wing Fauxtrage Machine is that they're upset because it's demeaning to Palin and not because using the term in that fashion is demeaning to "disabled" people.
posted by dhammond at 8:03 PM on September 21, 2008
100% agreed. But the problem with the Right Wing Fauxtrage Machine is that they're upset because it's demeaning to Palin and not because using the term in that fashion is demeaning to "disabled" people.
posted by dhammond at 8:03 PM on September 21, 2008
He called her disabled? OH SNAP!
Actually, Charlie Rangel is a good congressman and has served New York ably for many years. His recent unraveling is surprising and unfortunate.
Peter King, on the other hand, is an asshat. He's thrilled with warrantless wiretaps.
Pearlybob, is this really an FPP? Best of the web? Does anyone outside of New York really care about Charlie Rangel and Peter King?
posted by ben242 at 8:09 PM on September 21, 2008
Actually, Charlie Rangel is a good congressman and has served New York ably for many years. His recent unraveling is surprising and unfortunate.
Peter King, on the other hand, is an asshat. He's thrilled with warrantless wiretaps.
Pearlybob, is this really an FPP? Best of the web? Does anyone outside of New York really care about Charlie Rangel and Peter King?
posted by ben242 at 8:09 PM on September 21, 2008
Fair enough, dhammond, I guess I'm just paranoid that someone ostensibly on the Dem's side will try to justify or excuse it as tit-for-tat.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:11 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:11 PM on September 21, 2008
Alvy Ampersand writes "If a Republican had said such a stupid and ignorant thing about a Democrat - and they have - would you consider the outrage generated manufactured or illegitimate?"
And the taxes and rent control and omigod Congressional stationary? It's like a Fox News hit piece, and it stinks of dog-whistle politics.
I have no brief for Rangel, I suspect he's a typical machine politician. But all this is, is a distraction from the issues featuring that age-old Republican boogey-man, "Do you want to see niggers in the state capital with their feet on the desk?"
We're five years into a six month war, Osama bin Ladin's still free and we've been torturing his driver, Wall Street is falling apart, our pensions and 401Ks are being mulched, and we're on the hook for $700 BILLION dollars to ensure that no CEO loses his bonuses and golden parachute. I don't give a crap what congressional Democrat calls the creationist, nepotistic, ear-mark consuming Governor of Alaska who thinks she's qualified to be a heart-beat away from the Presidency of the United States.
And neither should anyone else. This is a complete and utter non-issue that will have no effect on you or your country or you grandchildren, unless your aim is to play dog-whistle race-bating politics in hopes that a racial backlash will put McCain-Palin in power to continue the kleptocratic destruction of the United Sates.
posted by orthogonality at 8:13 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
And the taxes and rent control and omigod Congressional stationary? It's like a Fox News hit piece, and it stinks of dog-whistle politics.
I have no brief for Rangel, I suspect he's a typical machine politician. But all this is, is a distraction from the issues featuring that age-old Republican boogey-man, "Do you want to see niggers in the state capital with their feet on the desk?"
We're five years into a six month war, Osama bin Ladin's still free and we've been torturing his driver, Wall Street is falling apart, our pensions and 401Ks are being mulched, and we're on the hook for $700 BILLION dollars to ensure that no CEO loses his bonuses and golden parachute. I don't give a crap what congressional Democrat calls the creationist, nepotistic, ear-mark consuming Governor of Alaska who thinks she's qualified to be a heart-beat away from the Presidency of the United States.
And neither should anyone else. This is a complete and utter non-issue that will have no effect on you or your country or you grandchildren, unless your aim is to play dog-whistle race-bating politics in hopes that a racial backlash will put McCain-Palin in power to continue the kleptocratic destruction of the United Sates.
posted by orthogonality at 8:13 PM on September 21, 2008 [3 favorites]
Er, age-old Souther Democrat boogey-man, until they all went Lee Atwater Republican.
posted by orthogonality at 8:16 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by orthogonality at 8:16 PM on September 21, 2008
I laughed my ass off. I suppose this might be insulting to the actual disabled, but for Palin it's pretty close to spot-on truth.
posted by docpops at 8:18 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by docpops at 8:18 PM on September 21, 2008
Wait, hold on - is the Right somehow trying to tie this to the fact that she has a kid with Down syndrome?
posted by docpops at 8:20 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by docpops at 8:20 PM on September 21, 2008 [1 favorite]
Rangel has served my district for longer than I have been alive, but I don't care: tax and rent cheats should be put into wood chippers: the poverty here can be just unbelievable, and the idea that some rich lawyer butthead is getting multiple rent controlled apartments for god knows what has been making me nuts since it was first reported.
He's still right about Palin, though. It is a fact that the McCain campaign has to have the terms of the debate changed because she is not prepared in any way. Christ that's fucking pathetic. Put them both in wood chippers.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 8:23 PM on September 21, 2008
He's still right about Palin, though. It is a fact that the McCain campaign has to have the terms of the debate changed because she is not prepared in any way. Christ that's fucking pathetic. Put them both in wood chippers.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 8:23 PM on September 21, 2008
Or a cretin.
Cretinism arises from a diet deficient in iodine.
Neanderthal Or Cretin? A Debate Over Iodine
mmmm Iodine.
posted by rough ashlar at 8:24 PM on September 21, 2008
Cretinism arises from a diet deficient in iodine.
Neanderthal Or Cretin? A Debate Over Iodine
mmmm Iodine.
posted by rough ashlar at 8:24 PM on September 21, 2008
Fortunately, Rangel is the only politician to be this mean and petty.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 8:24 PM on September 21, 2008
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 8:24 PM on September 21, 2008
« Older make your own | The Lost City of The Khazars Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by null terminated at 6:53 PM on September 21, 2008 [5 favorites]