2008.12.04
The New York Times slaps Rangel down
I've been following U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel's escapades with some fascination. We've editorialized about the four rent-controlled apartments he somehow managed to lease, and we've been contemplating an editorial calling for the New York Democrat to be stripped of the House Ways and Means chairmanship in light of several other brewing scandals The New York Times has been reporting on. Rangel, of course, has denied any impropriety, and he sent a letter of protest to The Times - which the newspaper published, then proceeded to completely deconstruct on its Web site.
It's the kind of well-deserved beat-down of an elected official that demonstrates the true value of a free press serving its vital function of government watchdog.
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Some people go to Washington to serve and some for their own gain. I am a liberal Democrat but I do not defend the behavior of scoundrels. I do want the punishment to fit the actual crime not the hype however. Given politicians ability to twist and obfuscate and zealous followers to rationalize, improper things keep going on. Getting a good, decent intelligent person to willingly enter the "den of iniquity" is getting harder and who could blame them. Every personal foible and even made up junk is fodder for the voracious appetite for scandal and infamy. I guess the "book of don'ts" would be like the tax code, endless. Obviously just saying "do the right thing" seems to be lost on some people (in and out of government) I hope one of the changes to come to government is a better way to police Congress, but self policing is seldom a success AND "we" will often re-elect a scoundrel whether D or R and there are some bigger fish to fry as it were, so I don't hold out much hope. Maybe if we did our part, the Congress would realize that we don't accept bad behavior and get on board. Mr. Rangel's district should do the deciding if Congress won't. OBTW, yes Dan, this is another example of the free press doing it's job well. I only fry the dishonest messengers!
Comment by Sandi Saunders — December 4, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
Maybe this will quiet the right-leaning critics of the NYT for being "too partisan" in their leanings. I've found in reading their material that while their editorials are biased, as anyone's are, their reporting is good and fair and they don't play favorites when calling foul.
Comment by Other John — December 4, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
This is a good start. Hopefully it might be the beginning of a trend to shine the light on many more in Congress, both sides of the aisle, who need to be outed for their shady dealings.
Now, about that $90,000 in cash found in William Jefferson's freezer......
Comment by Nick — December 5, 2008 @ 8:14 pm