He needs to be tossed from the train....
Posted on 08/10/2010 1:19:01 PM PDT by Justaham
Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel defended himself on the House floor Tuesday, daring members to expel him.
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) maintained that he did not intentionally break any House rules and complained about the investigation and trial process conducted by the House ethics panel, which has brought 13 charges against him.
"It may be stupid, it may be negligent, but it's not corrupt," Rangel said in a meandering speech that lasted more than 30 minutes.
In professing his innocence of all charges, Rangel also invited the ethics panel and House to take its shot at expelling him.
"I'm not asking for leniency, I'm asking for exposure of the facts," Rangel said.
"If I can't get my dignity back here, then fire your best shot at getting me expelled," the 20-term lawmaker said.
Earlier in his speech, Rangel said, "I am not going away. I am here," triggering light applause from some lawmakers.
It takes two-thirds of the House to expel a member.
A Democratic lawmaker who requested anonymity said House Democratic leaders attempted to persuade Rangel not to deliver his speech. The Democratic source called Rangel's address a "train wreck."
The ethics committee nearly reached an agreement with Rangel for the House to reprimand him, but that deal fell apart last month.
"This has to stop sometime. It has to stop," Rangel said, pointing out he requested the ethics probe more than two years ago. "I deserve and demand the right to be heard."
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
I call your dare, Charlie! You are NOT expendable though
you in your megalomania think so!
You can’t do this to me! I’m a big, rich, powerful member of the American left!
PS....you ARE expendable. *sigh*
The last hoorah of a scoundrel he went down fighting.
Did Charlie double-dog dare them?
Stupid has never been a defense for a crime, and negligence is even actionable under civil laws. Criminal laws (to my knowledge) imply negligence from the outset - that's why they are freaking criminal. You don't have to prove that a person was negligent in their actions if they are caught driving drunk, just prove they were drunk - the negligence is implied...
This guy just admitted that he was too stupid to follow the rules the rest of us have to follow, and that he was negligent of his legal responsibilities. Civil or criminal - case closed.
Congressionally - well that's another matter, they don't seem to operate by the same legal standards that they place upon the rest of us...
/johnny
Sounds like he’s threatening the party members before
they get a chance to start. It’s all for show anyway.
Even if they wanted to, they won’t stress the bro too much, they’re cowards.
Did I read that right? It’s OK being stupid and negligent under House rules, as long as it can’t be proved that one is corrupt?
p.s. quintuple platypus dare
He needs to be tossed from the train....
What an indignant statement to make in desperation.
Reelection as a dimocrat from Harlem is in his future then.
He’s such a horses ass.
The hypocrisy in Washington is beyond comprehension.
Because he is immune to arrest for any of this until he is removed.
Charlie and Max, you are thieves. You are felons. You are scoundrels. You are pathetic. You are criminals. You betrayed the trust of your constituents. You belong in JAIL.
Rangel supported Hillary.
no suprise here.
I hope Rangel wins just to deny Pelosi the excuse of claiming an ethics victory.
I’m with Chuck on this one. Lets have a hearing and let the cards fall where they may!! Pass the popcorn please...
Democrats never think they’re corrupt.
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