A trial for Charlie Rangel

[DefenseLawyer]

An interesting observation by Josh Marshall at TPM about something that struck me this week as well. The media has reported all week that Congressman Rangel was going to face a "trial" before the ethics committee for his alleged ethical lapses. I like to think I know the workings of the Congress as well as the next guy, but I don't recall anyone going on "trial" in the House before. Marshall did a Nexis search and found that in previous cases, like Newt Gingrich for example, no one ever reported that he was facing trial in the house, just a hearing before the ethics committee. Curious how the more ominous, and less accurate, term is now being used by everyone to describe the proceedings.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/07/is_it_a_trial.php#more?ref=fpblg

[SpiralHawk]

1. Well, there you have it: your RepubliCorporate media at work

As usual. Muddying the waters. Promoting the RepubliCorporate Agenda. Spewing the spew.

[Flubadubya]

2. And when is John Ensign's "trial" ?

Oh yeah, well...

[Recursion]

3. That's because it's different from a hearing

The subcommittee had hearings to come to the recommendation. Rangel did not accept the recommendation, and so now he has a trial. You've never heard of it because it usually doesn't happen. But, hey, Maxine Waters is about to do the same thing, so we'll get the joy of two of them in an election year.

[DefenseLawyer]

4. When have we had a "trial" in the house before?

You say it's "different". Okay fine, but are you saying what is happening with has never happened before? Because apparently it has never been referred to in the press as a "trial" before. If you can show me examples of ethics "trials" in the past I would be interested to see the references.

[Recursion]

6. The last one I remember was Wright in 1989

Like I said, most Congresscritters just accept the admonishment the committee gives after hearings, so you rarely get to the point of having a trial.

EDIT: Thank you, Google Timeline! (I didn't even know that existed; it's really cool.) Here's an archived WaPo article:

http://is.gd/dVFEW

[Stinky The Clown]

5. One word can be used to say all that needs rto be said:

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