Durbin Is Sorry, But What About Rangel? (Larry Elder -- MUST READ!)

TownHall.com ^ | 6/30/2005 | Larry Elder

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

So Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., finally apologized. Now where is the apology from Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y.?

Durbin, on the Senate floor June 14, 2005, attacked the Bush administration for its alleged mistreatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. After reading from an FBI report purporting to describe mistreatment of prisoners, Durbin said, "If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags or some mad regime -- Pol Pot or others -- that had no concern for human beings."

Durbin at first refused to apologize, blaming the criticism on the "right wing." Two days after his remarks, again on the Senate floor, Durbin "clarified" his earlier words: "Now, sadly, we have a situation here where some in the right-wing media have said that I have been insulting men and women in uniform. Nothing could be further from truth."

But the criticism continued. Democratic Chicago Mayor Richard Daley said, "I think it is a disgrace. He is a good friend of mine, but I think it is a disgrace to say that any man or woman in the military acts like that."

Durbin finally apologized. "After reading the horrible details in that memo which characterized the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo," said Durbin, "I then, on my own -- my own words -- made some characterizations about that memo . . . I have come to understand that was a very poor choice of words. . . . I'm sorry if [emphasis added] anything that I said caused any offense or pain to those who have such bitter memories of the Holocaust, the greatest moral tragedy of our time. . . . I'm also sorry if [emphasis added] anything I said in any way cast a negative light on our fine men and women in the military."

This brings us to Rep. Rangel.

Only eight days before Durbin's remarks, Rangel, on New York City's WWRL radio, attacked Bush for the "fraudulent" case for his War in Iraq: "It's the biggest fraud ever committed on the people of this country. This is just as bad as six million Jews being killed [emphasis added]. The whole world knew it and they were quiet about it, because it wasn't their ox that was being gored." When the host asked Rangel to clarify, the congressman said, "I am saying that people's silence when they know terrible things are happening is the same thing as the Holocaust, where everyone would have me believe that no one knew those Jews were killed over there."

The Anti-Defamation League demanded an apology. But where are the screaming editorials or the outrage from the pundit class? You see, Democrats like black attack dogs such as Rangel. They help to keep the black electorate angry and hostile toward Republicans, the better to ensure their 90 percent monolithic black Democratic vote.

This explains the Democrats' silence. But what about Republicans? Where is their demand for an apology from Charlie Rangel? This explains one of the reasons why Republicans fail to attract the black vote. Republicans remain unwilling to challenge irresponsible accusations of racism -- especially from so-called black leaders -- which allows the Democrats to continue to define the Republican Party as a party of bigots.

When Rangel, back in 1994, said of the incoming Republican Congress, "They don't say [racial epithet for Latinos] or [racial epithet for blacks] anymore. They say, 'Let's cut taxes'," Republicans said little.

When Al Sharpton sought the Democratic Party presidential nomination, having reached national prominence by falsely accusing a former district attorney of rape, Republicans said nothing. When Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., former chair of the Black Congressional Caucus, called former President George Herbert Walker Bush a "racist," Republicans said little.

Rangel's remarks should have engendered the same kind of outcry brought about by Durbin's insidious remarks. Yes, Rangel made the comments on a radio show, as opposed to the Senate floor. But Al Jazeera and extremist websites would still have carried Durbin's remarks had the senator made them while standing in line at Starbucks. And Durbin serves as the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate. But Rangel is the ranking member on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. He is serving his 17th term in the Senate.

The Democratic Party "earns" its 90 percent black vote by refusing to look at blacks as individuals, as opposed to members of an aggrieved group. Republicans make the same mistake by refusing to respond to "black leaders'" often silly accusations of racism.

When Republicans say nothing in the face of irresponsible charges by "black leaders," many other blacks quietly say to themselves, "They didn't fight back. Maybe they've got something to hide."

Rep. Rangel, your turn to apologize.

[EmilyGeiger]

Is Scott on nationally? I wouldn't mind hearing him again. I wish one of the national talk show hosts would do their entire show talking to our soldiers and discussing what is really going on in Iraq. If the lamestream press can give us the "bad" news ad naseum, I think it would be beneficial for us to hear the good things. My cousin was a guard at Guantanamo in 2003. She said it was such a boring post.

[TheForceOfOne]

Rangel, The "R" stands for racist.

[Coop]

Scott said yesterday he does a regional show in the Dakotas and Minnesota, I believe out of Fargo. I've heard him sub once or twice before, and he's very impressive.

[Liberty Valance]

Let 'em stew in their own irrational hatred for President Bush. It negates their effectiveness and takes them out of the discussion. They are just democrat insurgents and slaves to hatred.

[libs_kma]

"A dust mite has a higher IQ than Rangel."

I think thats what allows him to say anything he wants. Everybody who's ever heard Rangel open his mouth knows he's an idiot. You never get surprised or pay much attention to anything an idiot says, so they get an idiot pass.

I think if some of the other Dems weren't such morons like Rangel, they too would be made to explain their comments more often.

We've just come to expect it of them and we only pay attention to them when they bubble up to the surface, like Kerry. Kerry has said stupid things and done nothing for 20 years and no one knew it because we expect that kind of behavior from Demwits, so he didn't stand out until 2004.

[harpu]

Hmmm...no question is my mind. Rangle is also one sorry as$hole!

[harpu]

BTW...Rangle is not a misspelling.

from dictionary.com

- - - - - - - - -
"rangle"

\Ran"gle\, v. i. To range about in an irregular manner.

[Redleg Duke]

Rangle's black. Therefore it is Whitey's fault. No appology necessary.

[rebapiper]

Kerry looked like 120 in the beginning of his campaign and at the end of it he miraculously went from a dried up
prune to a smooth and young looking Kerry.
They have the drug companies in their pockets, they have
the Judges in their pockets, they have the Insurance co.
in their pockets.
As long as they hold the keys they can look any way they
want and do what ever they want and at no cost to them.
Sock it to the tax payer.
HOW MANY TIMES DID HITLARY,CHELSEA AND GORES WIFE GET A
FACE LIFT, A MAKE OVER, TUMMY TUCKS AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE? ALL PAID BY THE TAX PAYERS. IT IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THEIR LAVISH LIFE SYLES.
When will these sissy boys over start doing the work of the people.
Stop Insurance Fraud, Insurance companies are ripping off
Americans by using credit history instead of driving history. Credit history has nothing to do with you driving
ability, HERE IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE
CORRECTED BY OUR CRIMINALS IN OFFICE INSTEAD OF RUNNING TO
THE TV CAMERAS EVERY DAY.

[rebapiper]

Rangle's hatred for this country started long before he
was put into office.
Take a good look at those that are in the so called Democrat party, this is a Communist party, you must hate
America and you have to have a criminal record.
They opened our borders and have been making many deals
with Mexico, this bunch of criminals are not going to stop
until they can bring down this country.
MANY COMPANIES ARE HIRING ILLEGALS NOT BECAUSE AMERICANS
DON'T WANT TO THE JOBS, IT'S BECAUSE THESE CRIMINALS IN OFFICE GET KICK BACK FROM MANY LARGE COMPANIES, THE COMPANIES GET LARGE TAX BREAKS FOR HIRING THE ILLEGALS,
SOME OF THE JOBS ARE HALF FUNDED BY THE TAX PAYERS.
THANKS TO THIS CRIMINAL, LOW LIFE COMMUNIST BUNCH THAT ARE
HOLDING ON TO MANY OF OUR GOVERNMENT SEATS AND FIGHTING
TO KEEP CONTROL OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.