Charles Rangel, service and censure

"Since Kunu Ri, and I mean it with all my heart, I have never, never had a bad day."

So said Representative Charles Rangel (D., NY) in his book "And I Haven't had a Bad Day Since" referring to his Bronze Star and Purple Heart for actions during the Korean War. Today the House of Representatives censured the 80 year-old Rangel for 11 ethics violations [Source]. It's the first censure of a representative since the 1983 page sex scandal.

Although Rangel's actions sadden me -- his conduct and service in the Korean War endeared me to him -- I'm glad that the House took this action. It never censured Texan and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, despite his resignation in 2006 and conviction last month for illegally funneling corporate money to candidates in 2002.

I think it's important for Congressional leaders to discipline members. I don't believe Rangel is by any means the worst offender (at least when it comes to ethics violations), but it's got to start somewhere. It may be tough for Rangel, but he'll pull through.

As he put it, "Sixty years ago, I survived a Chinese attack in North Korea, and as a result, I wrote a book that having survived that, that I haven't had a bad day since," Rangel said. "Today, I have to reassess that statement." [Source]