That's 'Sir' Charlie Rangel to you, buddy
Isabel Vincent of the New York Post asks "Are they high?" She's referring to the country of Jamaica who awarded tax scofflaw Charles Rangel a knighthood.
Embattled Harlem Congressman Charles Rangel can't fill out a tax form, but he's now a knight -- at least in Jamaica.The Democratic Prince of Pork -- who owns valuable tracts of land, some of them off the books -- was inducted last week into the Order of Jamaica, the Caribbean commonwealth's highest distinction and the equivalent of knighthood.
Sir Charles won't be granted a magical shield that protects him from tax probes -- but he will get a gold medal stamped with the motto, "For a covenant of the people," adorned with the ackee fruit, a staple of the national cuisine.
The Gallant Knight of 125th Street -- who also holds distinguished titles such as Duke of Tax Dodge, Lord of Largesse and Sultan of Sweetheart Deals -- will join a list of other Order of Jamaica honorees that reads more like a rogues gallery than a roster from King Arthur's round table. Past recipients include Fidel Castro and murderous Zimbabwe strongman Robert Mugabe.Jamaican authorities insist they weren't high when they decided to knight a man who's smack in the middle of a congressional ethics investigation.
Rangel's knighthood doesn't entitle him to be a "sir," but he can now be addressed as "the Honorable Charles Rangel." He was honored because of his "outstanding contribution in promoting the interests of Jamaica and the Caribbean," said Bruce Golding, the nation's prime minister.
No doubt Sir Charles will now use his high position to rescue damsels in distress, slay dragons, and act as the King's champion - as if Obama needs someone besides the New York Times to do that for him.
More likely, he will be jousting with the IRS over all those back taxes he owes, as well as the Ethics Committee who is looking into all those properties he forgot he owns.
At least Sir Charlie now finds himself in the august company of Fidel Castro and Robert Mugabe - two ideological compatriots he will no doubt emulate as he steals from the poor and keeps the rest for himself.