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Opinion L.A.

Opinion: What’s in a name? Ask Charles Rangel

By Michael McGough
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The House Ethics Committee has recommended that Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) be ‘censured’ for ethical lapses, including failing to declare rental income from a Dominican villa, improper solicitation of donations on congressional letterhead and misuse of a rent-controlled Harlem apartment. Commentators are making much of the C-word, noting that it is more damning than the alternative of a reprimand.

History bears that out, but one wonders whether voters will understand the difference. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, ‘censure’ means ‘an official reprimand.’ The committee probably would have sent the same message to the public with a ‘chiding’ or a ‘reproof.’

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The only meaningful distinction for voters is the difference between Rangel losing his seat and staying put, censured though he may be. Maybe the committee should simplify its system of punishment to create two categories: ‘wrist slap’ and ‘outta here.’

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Opinion L.A.
Michael McGough

Michael McGough is the Los Angeles Times’ former senior editorial writer, based in Washington, D.C. He wrote editorials for The Times from 2006 to 2021. Before that, McGough worked for 30 years for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a reporter, editorial writer, editorial page editor and Washington correspondent. He wrote about law, national security, politics, foreign policy and religion. McGough is a graduate of Allegheny College and also attended the University of Kent at Canterbury in England and Yale Law School, where he received a master of studies in law degree.

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