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He certainly did, he knowingly and willifully hid the proceeds on several different ventures that netted him a decent sum of money. The details are in this Wall Street Journal article.
Originally posted by rusethorcain
....which mean he is guilty of evading paying tax on that "decent sum of money" and I remember underestimating what I made on that summer job...deliberately.
Suppose many of us rightfully should be in jail.
He was wrong, maybe he tried to take short cuts like many people do...
but I don't think he is the evil pariah everyone is trying to make him out to be.
Let's simplify our tax code...
Everyone deserves a lawyer.
Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
Originally posted by rusethorcain
....which mean he is guilty of evading paying tax on that "decent sum of money" and I remember underestimating what I made on that summer job...deliberately.
Was this to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars overs the course of decades? The equivalancy is not the same. Also, he is in a position of trust and should know better.
Suppose many of us rightfully should be in jail.
No one mentioned jail here, only that he broke the law. He should have payed his taxes and not tried to cheat the system.
He was wrong, maybe he tried to take short cuts like many people do...
I am not following. If you think everyone is doing this then why have any lawas on the books? He committed several illeagal acts over the course of many years, just because other might be doing this does not justify his or anyone else's actions.
but I don't think he is the evil pariah everyone is trying to make him out to be.
I never siad he was evil or a pariah, only that he broke the law and I would expect him to be removed from his lodge.
Let's simplify our tax code...
I agree. A flat tax would be fantastic.
Everyone deserves a lawyer.
They certainly do, even if they choose not to utilize that option.
Originally posted by rusethorcain
I don't know how to divide the posts like you do -find it annoying and redundant anyway but since I guess it is important to have every word there in black and white, I will give it a go.
Nobody said you mentioned jail...a response I write might be just that "a response" and I might even throw in a new thought...each is not an invitation for you to disseminate the thought, though if you must, you must... it is not my interest to stop you from your habits.
You are young?... I take it...
Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
The main reason I am creating this thread is to point out that there are members of the Masonic Fraternity who are not happy when other members, such as Congressman Rangel, commit acts that are not only un-Masonic but also very much illegal and will bring this to the public's attention if they did not know infact that the person in question was a Mason.
I would be the first person to ask him to either resign from Masonry or face charges of un-Masonic conduct and subsequent expulsion. His behavior is a negative influence on how Masons are perceived and it is often difficult enough to convince others of our intentions without the misdeeds of someone like the Congressman swaying their opinions to the contrary. I am curious as to how the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York handles this very poor lapse of judgement by the Congressman.
The ironic part of this situation is that there is a belief among some that Masons use their positions of power, if they have one, to benefit the Fraternity or its supposed agenda. This is a rather obvious case of the only person's agenda or cause to be benefitted by Congressman Rangel's illegal behavior was the Congressman himself.
He should truly be ashamed of himself, not only as a Mason, but more importantly, as some one whom the American people had placed their trust.
edit on 16-11-2010 by AugustusMasonicus because: Networkdude has no beer
Originally posted by HattoriHanzou
A jurisdiction which does not eject masons like this makes a bad name for all of us.
It is shameful really.
FLORIDA 9/12 PROJECT
We Surround Them - FLORIDA - You Are Not Alone!
A message to all members of FLORIDA 9/12 PROJECT
Many of you followed the Rangel fiasco and watched how arrogant
this man was about the things he had committed against the people in
America, how he walked out of the room. Now, he wants his constituents
to call the White House and ask that he not be punished. WHAT! Read this
www.rollcall.com...
and call Washington and ask them to treat Charlie Rangel, just as
they would treat any other citizen of the USA. Give him what is coming
to him according to the laws he broke, while holding an office in the
United States Congress.
Originally posted by harryhaller
But what is the relevance of freemasonry?
Originally posted by harryhaller
.Perhaps i'm missing something, from the links posted, there's nothing to suggest he was a mason, or that masonry had any part in the affair. Was he well known as a mason?
Originally posted by Rockpuck
I've never actually seen Masons publicly defend another Mason found in wrong doing.. we didn't defend Kramer and he was one of the Scottish Rite's poster childs.
I'd even say that when something like this happens, other masons tend to feel personally insulted by their actions, especially as their actions would often reflect on our entire community.
Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
Originally posted by harryhaller
.Perhaps i'm missing something, from the links posted, there's nothing to suggest he was a mason, or that masonry had any part in the affair. Was he well known as a mason?
Yes, Charlie Rangel is a Prince Hall Freemason in the New York jurisdiction.