Legal Commentary

That's What Friends Are For

By Big Tent Democrat

NYTimes:

It was a dramatic but fitting start to an evening that brimmed with political defiance: about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, as guests began strolling into the Plaza Hotel to celebrate Representative Charles B. Rangel’s 80th birthday party, former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins turned to confront a heckler. “You know you are attending a party for a crook,” the man yelled.

At that, Mr. Dinkins, bastion of statesmanship and dignity, raised his middle finger at the man, displaying it for all to see, witnesses said.

Mr. Rangel himself seemed to capture the spirit of the event when looked out to the packed Grand Ballroom and shouted, “This damn sure ain’t no funeral, is it?” [. . .T]he state’s senior United States. senator, Charles E. Schumer, and the state’s attorney general and Democratic nominee for governor, Andrew M. Cuomo [. . .] showed up and spoke warmly about Mr. Rangel, steering clear of the ethics charges against him. “He has fought for New York through thick and thin,” Mr. Schumer said, as Mr. Rangel stood nearby on a stage. “We are so grateful and thankful for that.”

[S]igns of loyalty were everywhere. When Dionne Warwick turned to Mr. Rangel and began to sing “That’s What Friends Are For,” the entire crowd joined in with her.

(Emphasis supplied.) I'm with Charlie. Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on August 11, 2010 (boomark / email).