Patterico's Pontifications

7/25/2010

What to Make of Charlie Rangel

Filed under: General,Politics — Jack Dunphy @ 9:59 pm



[Guest post by Jack Dunphy]

On Friday, the Weekly Standard’s Mary Katherine Ham took a look at the difficulties facing Harlem Democrat Charlie Rangel, who finds himself facing ethics charges that allege a host of financial improprieties. Rangel is often spoken of in complimentary terms by conservatives like Bill Kristol and George Will, who unfailingly mention how likable the 40-year congressman is. This characterization has long puzzled me, as Rangel has always struck me as a man who, if he were to shake my hand, would have me checking for my wallet and watch afterward. Do any of you share that impression?

Rangel says he looks forward to addressing the charges against him.

Sure he does.

–Jack Dunphy

Corruption Alleged at a Mexican Prison

Filed under: International — DRJ @ 7:33 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Mexican prosecutors believe officials at a northern state prison provided arms and vehicles to prisoners so they could carry out drug cartel attacks:

“Guards and officials at a prison in northern Mexico allegedly let inmates out, lent them guns and allowed them to use official vehicles to carry out drug-related killings, including the massacre of 17 people last week, prosecutors said Sunday.

After carrying out the killings the inmates would return to their cells, the Attorney General’s Office said in a revelation that was shocking even for a country wearied by years of drug violence and corruption.”

The article also reports on the government’s inability to stop cartel theft of large quantities of fuel oil and the discovery of the “bullet-ridden bodies” of six men, including three recent kidnap victims. Each of these stories would be major news items in most countries. In Mexico’s violence-ridden society, they’re footnotes.

— DRJ

Shirley Sherrod, Silenced

Filed under: Media Bias — DRJ @ 5:14 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

The hottest story of the week was Shirley Sherrod. Alexander Marlow at BigGovernment looks at why Sherrod was silenced by the Sunday media shows.

— DRJ

Wikileaks Documents Indicate Pakistan Supports the Taliban (Updated)

Filed under: International,War — DRJ @ 5:06 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

According to the New York Times:

“The documents, made available by an organization called WikiLeaks, suggest that Pakistan, an ostensible ally of the United States, allows representatives of its spy service to meet directly with the Taliban in secret strategy sessions to organize networks of militant groups that fight against American soldiers in Afghanistan, and even hatch plots to assassinate Afghan leaders.”

This is one reason why many experts think America can never win in Afghanistan, but I doubt the New York Times would have published this without the knowledge or even the approval of the Obama Administration — so this may signal the government/military is finally willing to do something about Pakistan.

— DRJ

UPDATE: The White House condemned the release of documents by Wikileaks.

Obama Preferred Lockerbie Bomber Release to Libyan Prison

Filed under: International,Obama — DRJ @ 2:15 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Doesn’t it seem like just the other day President Obama criticized our friends across the pond for releasing the Lockerbie bomber, al-Megrahi, to return to Libya?

“I think all of us here were surprised, disappointed and angry about the release of the Lockerbie bomber,’ he said.

‘We should have all the facts, they should be laid out there. I have confidence Prime Minister Cameron’s government will be co-operative.

‘The decision ran contrary to how we should be treating terrorists.”

That was President Obama in a White House press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron on July 21, 2010. What a difference a week makes, not to mention independent journalism:

“THE US government secretly advised Scottish ministers it would be “far preferable” to free the Lockerbie bomber than jail him in Libya.”

H/T Dmac.

— DRJ


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