CHARLIE RANGEL INNOCENT ON ALL CHARGES; Just Kidding, VERY GUILTY

A House ethics panel found senior Democratic lawmaker Charles Rangel violated House ethics rules, on 11 of the 13 counts lodged against him. The New York congressman wasn't in the hearing room when the announcement was made.

Nooooooooo!

The panel deadlocked 4-4 on a charge that by trying to raise money for a college center named in his honor he had been seeking a gift for himself.

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY? CHARLIE RANGEL IS COMPLETELY INNOCENT? Hooray, justice!

The case now goes to the full 10-person ethics committee to make a recommendation on punishment. The recommendation must be voted on by the full House. The most likely punishment is reprimand, but it is possible he could also face censure on the House floor.

Yes, that may seem most likely. But there are a lot of people in that legislature who really, really like giving black people capital punishment. [ WSJ ]