Posted on 11/29/2010 7:51:35 AM PST by Libloather
Charlie to beg: Gimme a break!
Desperate House ploy weeks after walkout
By S.A. MILLER Post Correspondent
Last Updated: 8:55 AM, November 29, 2010
WASHINGTON -- What gall!
In a last-ditch effort to save his scandal-scarred name, disgraced Rep. Charles Rangel is asking to speak before the House in an effort to land a more lenient penalty for his widespread ethics abuses -- just two weeks after he brazenly walked out of the first day of his trial.
The Harlem Democrat plans to argue -- as he has all along -- that his violations were innocent mistakes and not the schemes of a "crook."
He's hoping to get a reprimand instead of censure, the most severe and humiliating penalty short of expulsion.
A censure is worse than a reprimand because it would require Rangel to stand in front of the chamber -- called the "well" -- for a public rebuke by the speaker.
A reprimand would be a simple vote of disapproval, and Rangel wouldn't even have to be in the chamber.
Rangel, 80, wants to make his final plea for leniency on the House floor right before his colleagues vote to censure him for breaking the slew of ethics rules, Capitol Hill insiders say.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
To make that case, his staff has prepared a 10-point chart to distribute to other members of Congress, along with a history of punishments meted out before. Point 4 on the chart notes that Mr. Rangel, a Democrat who has represented Harlem for four decades, did not take bribes, and Point 8 says his violations did not involve personal financial gain. Point 5 says his violations did not involve sexual misconduct.
This is an excerpt.
Chair of House Ways and Means and he's stealing money through the tax code (among other things).
I suggest politicians, heck, EVERYONE draw up a chart showing every crime they HAVEN'T committed. That would help the authorities narrow things down a bit.
There are thousands of illegal offenses - and tax-cheat Charlie could only come up with ten violations he's avoided. See?
Heyheyhey! One break...comin uuuuuuuuup!
Having the speaker read a sharply worded note to him is serious punishment?
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