American Legion to Congressman Rangel: Apologize Now

U.S. Newswire ^

[Sub-Driver]

American Legion to Congressman Rangel: Apologize Now

11/27/2006 4:55:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Ramona Joyce, 202-263-2982 or 202-445-1161 (cell), or Wade Habshey, 317-630-1253 or 317-966-2716 (cell), both of the American Legion

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Commander of The American Legion called on Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) to apologize for suggesting that American troops would not choose to fight in Iraq if they had other employment options.

"Our military is the most skilled, best-trained all-volunteer force on the planet," said National Commander Paul A. Morin. "Like that recently espoused by Sen. John Kerry, Congressman Rangel's view of our troops couldn't be further from the truth and is possibly skewed by his political opposition to the war in Iraq."

According to Rangel, "If a young fellow has an option of having a decent career, or joining the Army to fight in Iraq, you can bet your life that he would not be in Iraq. If there's anyone who believes these youngsters want to fight, as the Pentagon and some generals have said, you can just forget about it. No bright young individual wants to fight just because of a bonus and just because of some educational benefits," Rangel said.

Rangel was responding to a question during an interview yesterday on Fox News Sunday about a recent study by the Heritage Foundation which found that those enlisting in the military tend to be better educated than the general public and that military recruiting seems to be more successful in middle-class and wealthy neighborhoods than in poor ones.

According to the study, 97 percent of military enlistees were high school graduates versus 80 percent of Americans in general.

[Smogger]

I think that's it's real important that Freepers beat the drum on Rangel's comments since, frankly, few else will.

[Dog]

Ping.

[lormand]

Charles Rangel is untouchable. Charlie Rangel can be caught in bed with a dead boy, and he would still hold his job.

[BlueAngel]

Rangel is ignorant. I'm glad that this is not going to go away. The public needs this education about our military.

[Cobra64]

Rangel: "It was just a bad joke. Can't we just move on..."

[rockrr]

I agree, although I fear that America is more concerned that Michael Richards (Kramer) might be a racist...

[domenad]

This would be Rangels' second apology for being an idiot. You know, I have to wonder if he's not trying to use his idiocy as proof of Kerry's "army = undereducated" speech.

[NerdDad]

Apology = Resignation!

This raccoon headed buffoon has exceeded his limit on insults.

[TonyRo76]

Chawwlie Wwrangel is a fixture in his gangbangin'-ghetto Congressional district. Same with William Jefferson (Democrat, Louisiana).

As much of a disgrace as these two junkyard goons are, they're not going anywhere until they decide to retire.

[syriacus]

Good for them.

Rangel shouldn't be going around, opening his big mouth, putting people down.

What will Rangel say next?

That Carter has a compulsion to pound nails because his parents wanted to break him of his nose picking habit and gave him a hammer and pounding bench for Christmas when he was three?

That Mother Teresa wanted to be a housewife, but couldn't get a marriage proposal, so the Yugoslav government sent her to a foreign land?

[Doc Savage]

When you ask a racist moron a question be prepared for a rascist moronic response. The bigg question is how much does he pay for that hair straightner????

[SoldierDad]

According to Rangel, "If a young fellow has an option of having a decent career, or joining the Army to fight in Iraq, you can bet your life that he would not be in Iraq.

Hey Chucky, I have a Master of Arts and make nearly $80k a year with pay increases that will take me over $100K in the next few years. If I were not "too old" for the military I would give up that income to defend this country in a heartbeat. My son had other options, but decided that defending his country was important. I hate these self-serving backstabbing liberals with a passion.

[wolfcreek]

One thing the Dims have succeeded at since their coronation is pissing people off. Keep it up!

[L98Fiero]

"Charles Rangel is untouchable."

Yep. More like him keep getting elected. What is a governemnt full of untouchables?

[popdonnelly]

Was Rangel drafted into the service? Maybe he's bitter at the experience.

[sanjacjake]

I belong to both..Legion and VFW...Legion is more
aggessve...proud of them...also they are the ones
who got the GI bill through Congress and let some of
us go to College who, otherwise, couldn't have gone..
Rangel's crap is typical of the myopic Dems...Jake

[lormand]

"What is a governemnt full of untouchables?"

Indian?

[StarCMC]

More of the true Dems coming out. I think I have some graphics work to do here....

[leadpenny]

I don't think he's a racist but he did refuse to wear an AIDS ribbon.

[L98Fiero]

LOL!

I though the serfs were the "untouchables".

[True Republican Patriot]

Rangel proves Kerry was not trying to tell a joke that went bad. Thats what the Demorats believe, Rangel's words four weeks after Kerry's say the exact same thing that Kerry said. They dont deserve to shine the shoes of Our Fine Service People.
GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY AND OUR GREAT COUNTRY!!!!!!!

[hosepipe]

[ American Legion to Congressman Rangel: Apologize Now ]

Whether Rangle does it or not is meaningless...
Rangle is a dingleberry on the butt of Lady Liberty..

[Brilliant]

Kerry/Rangel in '08. Vote for the war heros!

[rocksblues]

Read a great post here on FR yesterday about Rangels motives.

This is only put forth so college kids will remember it was proposed during GWB's administration.

Makes sense to me.

[thelastvirgil]

POS deRangedel will NEVER apoligize. He has a lifetime seat in congress, no matter the degree of his stupidity, and anyone who chides him is a certified racist.

[True Republican Patriot]

AMEN! Thats the Ticket for 08!! Kerry/Rangel in 08!!
Their both egocentric enough to see this as a Killer Ticket.

[Stultis]

Was Rangel drafted into the service? Maybe he's bitter at the experience.

Actually I'm sure I've heard Rangel say many times in the past that he was "proud" of his military service (and that he was a volunteer).

Of course now we know that those claims of pride must have been lies, since Rangel now admits he chose the military because he had no better opportunities and no "decent" career option.

[CedarDave]

See new tag line.

[CedarDave]

Rangel proves Kerry was not trying to tell a joke that went bad. Thats what the Demorats believe...

So very true, sadly.

[Mo1]

Charlie puts his foot in his mouth yet again

And they haven't even taken control yet

[Mo1]

True .. but as one of the Leaders in the Dem Party .. he hurts them every time he opens his mouth to talk

[hkp123]

A government full of untouchables is called a revolution waiting to happen. Unfortunately, we don't have enough men in this Republic to take care of it. Who's on "Dancing with the stars" tonight? More people know that than care what really is happening. GOD, we're in trouble.

[Alas Babylon!]

That may be but continuing with the remarks and refusing to apologize can be used in two years to push a couple dem seats our way. A smart Republican candidate in a heavily military or mil retiree area should make sure he tells folks he'll take on Charlie Rangell for those remarks. According to the dems, the peeps love a fighta!

Shoot, they used Foley, Reynolds, Bush, Abrahoff et al that way, we should do so to.

[True Republican Patriot]

Yes, and Kerry knew precisely what he was saying when he said it and refused to apologize because he is a master of"Nuance" so he thinks. He is more ignorant than a rock and more dangerous than Our known Enemies.

[toddlintown]

Don't confuse Charlie with the facts.

[buck61]

Caught in bed with dead boy.

Democrats always gets away with crime. I don't have to name any of them, you automatically know who they are.

Every time a Republican gets caught with his hands in the cookie jar, they run for the hills and hide.

[torchthemummy]

I don't think he's a racist but he did refuse to wear an AIDS ribbon.

I'm assuming you are in jest but if not...the fictional character Kramer didn't wear the AIDS ribbon because he didn't believe it necessary to prove he was against the spread of AIDS...because he was already against it.

[syriacus]

This is only put forth so college kids will remember it was proposed during GWB's administration.

True. People have short memories.

How many people remember that

• 30,000 Americans died in Korea in (less than) 3 years (1950-52) of Democrat Truman's presidency? That means more than 10 times as many troops died under Truman as died under Bush in 3 years.
• How many people remember MacArthur saying on this date in November of 1950 that the war would be over by that Christmas? The "official" action in Korea went on until 1953.
• How many people remember that Truman said he was sending our troops to fight a "police action" against "bandits" who were threatening the Republic of Korea?

[Txsleuth]

SO TRUE....

I just wish we had a voice on cable news...we used to when Tony still worked for Fox News.

Maybe Melanie Morgan will...kristinn knows her, IIRC.

[Red_Devil 232]

Charles Rangel is untouchable. Charlie Rangel can be caught in bed with a dead boy, and he would still hold his job.

Your statement tells us everything we need to know about his constituency!

[syriacus]

Of course now we know that those claims of pride must have been lies, since Rangel now admits he chose the military because he had no better opportunities and no "decent" career option.

LOL

[Cicero]

That Carter has a compulsion to pound nails because his parents wanted to break him of his nose picking habit and gave him a hammer and pounding bench for Christmas when he was three?

Are you sure this isn't true?

[lormand]

The sheeple of Harlem are his "constituents".

[rocksblues]

May I add, how many American's remember Viet Nam as Nixon's war.

[syriacus]

Kerry/Rangel in '08. Vote for the war heros!

Maybe they can start a "Hate The Military" party.

Imagine how a photo of them together would look on a campaign button.

[sgtbono2002]

Rangel was a High School drop-out who went to war in Korea dn got a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, when he left the military he went to law school. I would guess under the GI Bill. I guess he went in the military because he couldnt find a job as a drop out so his statement is probably true about him. However if he did study under the GI Bill it would appear as though his country paid him back well as he was an assistant US attorney. In 1967 he was elected to the New York State Assembly and he has been sucking on the Government teat ever since, like so many democrat politicians.

[Former MSM Viewer]

"......Charlie Rangel can be caught in bed with a dead boy, and he would still hold his job......"

True, and that speaks volumes about his constituents.

[GrandEagle]

"If a young fellow has an option of having a decent career, or joining the Army to fight in Iraq, you can bet your life that he would not be in Iraq.

Apparently this idiot doesn't know anyone in the military. I suggest he try and meet some. For example, my Friend who just deployed to Iraq - a mechanic by trade, left a great paying job to make squat in the military in Iraq. They are holding his job for him when he gets back.

His comments are so stupid, it is hardly worth noting them except for the incredible insult to the talent and integrity of the men and women who are willingly fighting so he can stand in public and insult them.

But what do you expect from the party of surrender. They were practicing their "new direction" in Iraq early on election night.

[syriacus]

Dems are in power, so we can expect a fall in the stock market and a rise in crime.

Rangel wants to nip juvenile delinquency in the bud by initiating "Midnight Draft-'m-all" programs.