Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Rangel's Race Revisionism
New York Post ^ | 11-13-05 | Editorial

Posted on 11/13/2005 9:05:23 AM PST by smoothsailing

RANGEL'S RACE REVISIONISM

Rep. Charlie Rangel — dean of New York City's congressional delega tion — never ceases to amaze.

His military service during the Korean War...snip

..... regarding matters military, he should know better than to say some of the things that he does.

And we suspect that he does, indeed, know better — which is what makes his views on one particular military topic so utterly repugnant.

Last Monday, Rangel once again spun his favorite fable:

The one that claims military service is being unduly shouldered by minorities and the poor.

"The heaviest burden of war is being carried by less fortunate Americans," Rangel claimed.

He peddled the same line in 2003, while calling for a resumption of the draft...

Rangel was wrong then.

He's still wrong.

A recently released Heritage Foundation report details the facts:

* In 2003, fully 22 percent of recruits came from the wealthiest household incomes..

* Only 14 percent came from the poorest households.

* The study found that the percentage of recruits from wealthier households — two years into the War on Terror — increased compared to 1999, while the percentage from poorer homes dipped.

* In racial terms, it determined that while whites make up 77.4 percent of the U.S. population of 18 year olds, they comprised 78.5 percent of the recruits.

snip

If Rangel has access to credible evidence demonstrating that military service is weighing disproportionately heavy on poor and/or minority Americans, he should produce it.

Enough.

snip

But it really is reprehensible to spin tall tales that essentially devalue the courage and sacrifice of the young Americans — of all backgrounds — who today serve their nation with the same dedication and valor that the congressman displayed..snip... so long ago.

Copyright 2005 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: New York; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 109th; racists; rangel

1 posted on 11/13/2005 9:05:24 AM PST by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
But it really is reprehensible to spin tall tales that essentially devalue the courage and sacrifice of the young Americans...

He's a democRAT; the "facts" are spun from whatever cloth that is politically-expedient. Chuckie knows he's not going to be challenged by the Tired Old Media.

2 posted on 11/13/2005 9:10:57 AM PST by kromike
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
You know, I'll take a moment this Veteran's Day weekend to give Rangel the one piece of credit that I can give him: He's a veteran and could be considered a war hero, definitely moreso that, say, John Kerry. But you'll never hear Rangel mention it. He did what he had to do. He did his job. He doesn't crow about it and he isn't ashamed of it. He's fine with it.

Your regularly-scheduled Rangel-bashing will resume tomorrow.

3 posted on 11/13/2005 9:15:19 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (By defiintion, we cannot have Consensus until you agree with me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
Here's an interesting graphic I found:


4 posted on 11/13/2005 9:17:11 AM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity ("Sharpei diem - Seize the wrinkled dog.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
This is because the MSM loves this stuff. Rangel says it, then a Sunday weeper piece shows up with a profile of the poor vet from the wrong side of the tracks, etc.
Stories about guys from broken families who learn a trade and become successful after their military service just don't sell in the inner city.
5 posted on 11/13/2005 9:23:59 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tanniker Smith

Your regularly-scheduled Rangel-bashing will resume tomorrow.
----
Regardless, he signed up for membership in the elite club of gutter-level New York libs. That is his legacy and his swan song (hopefull).


6 posted on 11/13/2005 9:30:37 AM PST by EagleUSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
I have an old thread on this bookmarked somewhere.

This is a grand myth.

Only back in Vietnam when blacks started dying disproportionately and LBJ immediately pulled back on black draftees has anything close to this ever occurred.

In WWII, blacks survived disproportionately due to being relegated to support mostly and today stats show they opt for career and support and supply more than combat oriented. I know someone will come along and mention fluid lines of comabt shortly.

Snake Eaters and others most likely to see action remain disproportionately crackers from the South and Mountain states.....with Hispanics creeping up too.

John Wayne lives ...but not with everyone.


http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-01-20-army-usat_x.htm
7 posted on 11/13/2005 9:37:14 AM PST by wardaddy (Captain Spaulding (the perfect dinner guest))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wardaddy

As usual, this is discouraging young black men from doing the one thing that has done the most to help blacks get ahead, joining the military. Is that because they might not vote dem?


8 posted on 11/13/2005 9:47:09 AM PST by ClaireSolt (.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: ClaireSolt

I agree.

Military service has been proven to be a good way up for folks.

Serve one's nation and grow up and have a career and family too.

One could do worse.

Shame isn't it?

I know a bunch of folks who lament not taking that route.

Then there are those today who join to go kill our enemies.

They are the real heroes.


9 posted on 11/13/2005 9:54:26 AM PST by wardaddy (Captain Spaulding (the perfect dinner guest))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: ClaireSolt
Is that because they might not vote dim.

I believe that to be the case.The military,among other things,instills self-confidence and a can-do spirit.These are anathema to the entitlement crowd that Rangel represents.

10 posted on 11/13/2005 10:11:12 AM PST by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing

Rank-Rangel is such a pos.


11 posted on 11/13/2005 10:30:22 AM PST by fatteddy (liberal thinking ....for abortion....against the death penalty,kill the innocent,spare the killer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing

Rangle is a rabid racist and I am sick and tired of him and "his people."


12 posted on 11/13/2005 11:11:57 AM PST by R.W.Ratikal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: R.W.Ratikal
Rangle is a rabid racist and I am sick and tired of him and "his people."

Elaborate on "his people", please.


13 posted on 11/13/2005 11:37:00 AM PST by rdb3 (Get rid of all of the repetitive redundancy, why don't ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: rdb3
New tagline? It's a good one! ;)
14 posted on 11/13/2005 1:37:29 PM PST by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson