Charlie Rangel

This week, it seemed that most of America’s (and much of the world’s) press was covering the antics of an airline flight attendant as the main headline story. Not to feel left out, I thought I would mention it. That’s about as far as I’m going with it, a mere mention. There are probably hundreds of people every week that quit their jobs and walk out, even in these times of high unemployment, although perhaps in not such a spectacular fashion.

There must be many a Democrat that wished there was an escape chute to bail out from the Capitol. Grab a couple of beers, pull the lever and slide into the land of Independents. Probably an appealing idea, except to those leftist ideologues who really believe that their policies are working.

Untruths take three forms amongst Democrats. Firstly, the ‘save your own hide’ type, as in “I did not have sex with that woman”. Secondly, the ‘convince yourself it’s true’ variety, the sort often uttered by the socialists that have been brainwashed into believing the most irrational and unsubstantiated agendas. The third is the ‘apologetic’, as in “I’m sorry if I was misunderstood, what I really meant was…”

A classic example of the latter was Harry Reid, who later explained that his statement, expressing disbelief that Hispanics could vote Republican, was worded that way as his audience were Hispanic. It’s strange that one who was quick enough to point out the possible ethnic profiling result (which was a total fabrication by the Democrats and prohibited in the bill) of Arizona’s illegal immigration law, could himself label all Hispanic Americans as supporters of uncontrolled immigration.

While it is a public speaking technique, to identify with your audience, he shot himself in the foot by going too far. I wonder if he would have used the same line to a black audience, replacing the word ‘Hispanic’ for ‘black’. Maybe not, given the Democrat history of supporting slavery and their association to the Klan.

Blago continued to deny any wrong-doing to the end of the trial, which could now go to a re-trial, after the jury could not decide on most of the twenty four counts. The antithesis of this is Charlie Rangel who, rather than denying allegations, has admitted to “making some mistakes”. Reminds me of the old 1950s British cops-and-robbers movies, where the burglar, complete with ‘swag-bag’ over his shoulder, gets caught outside the premises by the local ‘bobby’. “It’s a fair cop, guv’nor”, says the miscreant. Perhaps Charlie watched those movies.

Charlie Rangel celebrated his 80th birthday this week

The week ended with another unbelievable statement from the President himself. Releasing a statement regarding Friday evening’s White House iftar (Ramadan meal) he said that they “remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.” He went on to say “Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity and racial equality … a reminder that Islam has always been part of America and that American Muslims have made extraordinary contributions to our country”.

Always been part of America? Islam was virtually unknown in the US until the 20th century. As for “advancing justice, progress, tolerance, dignity and racial equality”… is he getting confused with another religion? If this wasn’t from the mouth of the leader of the free world, I’d find it hilarious.

If someone had told me, twenty years ago, that the American President in 2010 would be an Islamic socialist, I’d have called them crazy. Good thing nobody did – I’d have been tempted by a little wager which could have cost me dearly. Not nearly as much as it’s costing America now, though. Remember, in the run-up to November, the stakes have never been higher!

(Editor Dee is in for Skip today)

Charlie Rangel has been in the US Congress for 39 years. Maxine Waters has been there for 19 years. Clearly too long for both of them. It’s a fact that, for almost that long, being black and in government meant being bullet-proof and untouchable. One notable exception would be former Congressman William Jefferson, who is cooling his heels in the federal penitentiary for bribery and corruption charges. He is the exception rather than the rule, however.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus

Black members of Congress have been characterized by their high-handed tactics and outright arrogance in pulling out the race card each and every time someone said something they didn’t like. It worked for a long time. It worked so well that the Congressional Black Caucus became one of the most feared and unassailable groups in the Capitol. Whites, and even other minorities, stepped lightly around them and went to some length to avoid their ire. They were a steady and reliable cog in the increasingly left-leaning Democrat machine… as long as they got what they wanted… which amounted to beaucoup bucks for the welfare and social services plantations, which reliably kept them first in line at the public trough.

The bullet-proofing on their armor started flaking away with the expiation of the ‘white guilt’ syndrome, which they had so assiduously cultivated with the able assistance of professional racists such as the irrelevant ‘Reverend’ Jesse Jackson, who styled himself the successor to Martin Luther King’s legacy and a spokesman for all things black. He was neither. What he was, and is, is a cheap shakedown artist, preying on businesses and corporations that are afraid of having the racist jacket hung on them.

Then there is the always entertaining Al ‘Tawana Brawley’ Sharpton. Another cheap race hustler who never saw a situation he wouldn’t try to profit from, no matter how outrageously untrue or manufactured.

With the election of America’s first ‘black’ President, Barack Hussein Obama, most of that white guilt began to evaporate, and along with it much of the tolerance for business as usual in Washington, black or white. We’ve come to the point where the racist card has just been pulled out of the deck ad nauseum. We can trust them to try. We can also promise them it won’t get them very far.

Semper Vigilans, Semper Fidelis

© Skip MacLure 2010

Podcast Show Notes 

Rod Blagojevich tries to sell a Senate seat, intimidate a children's hospital, and the Chicago Tribune.

Blagojevich as delusional sociopath pondered appoint himself to the Senate to set himself up for a presidential run in 2016.

Blagojevich disses the President-elect.

Is the President-elect trying to downplay his relationship to Governor Blagojevich?

The President-elect does not call for Blagojevich to step down.

Will Obama cover-up or will he re-appoint Patrick Fitzgerald.

Guess that party?

Plus beyond Blagojevich, Senate Candidate #5.

Rangel investigation expands.

Larry Craig appeal fails.

National Association of Evangelicals President affirms group's pro-life committment.

Scotland votes against legalizing Assisted suicide.

Urugay's President resigns over his party becoming pro-abortion.

Click here to listen, click here to download.

Podcast Show Notes

Obama's speech had more negative attacks than Palin's. (Hat Tip: Instapundit.)

As Palin becomes one of America's most popular political leaders, Oprah refuses to have Sarah Palin on her show and one liberal bloggers suggests the media should claim revenge by ignoring Palin.

Us Magazine loses thousands of subscribers over unfair attacks on Governor Palin while Sally Quinn backs off earlier criticism of the VP Pick.  (Hat Tip: Red State.)

McCain's acceptance speech outdraws Obama.

Obama's attempt to pick up moderate evangelicals failing. (Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

Obama's plan to radicalize American youth. (Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin.)

Unemployment has gone up to 6.1% after the last economic stimulus package didn't work. Obama's solution? Another stimulus package. Change, anyone?

Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY), who is in charge of writing America's tax laws doesn't seem to understand them and is also blissfully aware of how much income he's getting. Where are those people who are upset about McCain not knowing the number of houses he has when you need them? (Hat Tip: Wizbang Blog.)

Plus one man takes on the attempts of states to copyright their laws and forbid people from distributing them. (Hat Tip: Club for Growth.)

Plus a consequence of gay marriage: dealing with homosexual weddings in prison.

Plus our 2nd Amendment update.

The growth of Public Virtual Schools.  

A victory for freedom of religion in Anaheim.

Music from Torley on the Piano via the Podsafe Music Network.

Click here to listen.

In Idaho’s 1st District, Congressman Bill Sali (R-ID) is being challenged by Walt Minnick, a businessman and 1996 Senate Candidate. Minnick calls himself a “conservative Democrat” on his website, and, he expects to capture the seat and the Idaho media is doing everything they can to help.

The Idaho media reports on Minnick’s fundraising advantage, but unlike with Congressman Sali’s 2006 campaign’s support from Club for Growth, the source of Minnick’s cash (mostly out of State) has been left undiscussed.

Minnick campaigns as a conservative Democrat, but if elected to Congress how would he vote?

Follow the money.

One of Minnick’s top contributors is National Leadership PAC, which has sent $10,000 to Minnick. A leadership PAC is set up by members of Congress to funnel funds into other Congressional races. This works great for powerful members of Congress, who receive donations from special interests wishing to curry favor with them through the PAC and then gain influence with incoming members of Congress by funding their campaigns.

National Leadership PAC is the leadership PAC of Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY), who boasts an American Conservative Union lifetime rating of 4% (the type of moderate leaders we need in Congress, eh?) There are some key issues to look at with the man who would have a great influence over the vote of Walt Minnick in Congress.

A key issue is immigration. In a campaign stop in liberal Sun Valley, Minnick laid out his views on immigration, comparing the border fence being built along the Southern Border to the Berlin Wall. He also called for a path to normalization of illegal immigrants in somewhat rambling answer that was captured by Sun Valley Online.

Minnick is running in a bedrock Republican district, so he has to couch his words. His benefactor, Mr. Rangel can be a little more straightforward in stating the same position as he did when he spoke to the Dominican Bar Association in New York. He said there’s a “one word” solution to the immigration problem: “Amnesty” which at a basic level was what Walt Minnick was trying to dance around advocating.

Rangel considered those who advocate a path to citizenship even with fines, etc. (such as Minnick) to be “the good guys.” The bad guys, according to Rangel are small town sheriffs and mayors trying to enforce our immigration laws, who Rangel alleges only get on TV. Does Mr. Minnick share his benefactor’s view that small town sheriff’s are bad guys particularly much of the same district is made up of rural counties between Ada and Kootenai County?

In addition, Minnick taking Rangel’s money leads one to legitimately question Minnick’s dedication to fiscal responsibility. Walt Minnick has promised to work to prohibit earmarks. Listening to Minnick’s campaign rhetoric sounds awful familiar.

It should.

In 2006, nearly every successful Democratic Candidate ran on the policy of reforming earmarks and the way Congress works, taking advantage of Republican unfaithfulness to fiscal conservative principles. They talked reform.

But talk is cheap.

In 2007, Club for Growth tracked votes on 50 anti-Pork Amendments. Congressman Sali supported 94% of all anti-pork Amendments. On average, house freshman Democrats voted for only 2% of anti-Pork Amendments.

One project that was targeted for elimination was a $1.95 million earmark to the Charlie B. Rangel Center for public service at the University of New York. Congressman Rangel’s sponsorship of this vanity earmark earned him a “Narcissist Award” from the non-partisan Citizens Against Government.

He has since come under scrutiny for using his position as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee for using his official position and Congressional letterhead to raise funds for the organizations from individuals and corporations with business before his committee.

The number of anti-earmark Democratic freshman Congressmen who opposed Rangel’s “Monument to Me”?

Zero.

Congressman Bill Sali, however, did oppose this vanity earmark.

Now Charlie Rangel is coming after him and supporting Mr. Minnick.

It’s now a fair question to ask what other pet ideas of Mr. Rangel might Minnick be open to supporting? Last session, Rangel authored a tax bill that, according to the office of ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee Jim McCrery, would increase taxes $3.5 trillion over the next ten years. Would this be the type of legislation Walt Minnick would back?

Also, there was a lot of fear mongering about the draft under George W. Bush. Voters who are concerned about this issue would be very interested to know that the chief congressional advocate of bringing back the draft is Mr. Minnick’s benefactor, Congressman Charlie Rangel. (D-NY.) Would Mr. Minnick support that?

Idaho voters deserve answers about Walt Minnick’s extremist out-of-state benefactor and whether Minnick shares his views. Idaho’s liberal media is not asking these questions and merely taking Minnick at his word on a vaguely defined stance as a “conservative Democrat” while telling us, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.”

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