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Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: Ralph Wiggum on August 11, 2010, 12:08:26 PM

Title: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on August 11, 2010, 12:08:26 PM
(http://www.boattest.com/images-gallery/News/dan.jpg)

Dan Rostenkowski, an old-style Chicago ward boss who became one of the nation's most powerful legislators during the Reagan era before a stunning fall to corruption charges that left him branded a political anachronism, died today.

Rostenkowski's death was confirmed by Sen. Dick Durbin's office this morning.

Rostenkowski, 82, represented Chicago's Northwest Side in the U.S. House from 1959 to 1995.

His seniority in the House earned him the chairmanship of the powerful Ways and Means Committee in 1981. He held the post until 1994, when he was unseated by an upstart Republican just months after being indicted in a wide-ranging case accusing him of everything from accepting kickbacks to maintaining slush funds.

He pleaded guilty to mail fraud in 1996 and served about 15 months in prison. He maintained his innocence throughout the rest of his life, and his official record was also wiped clean just before Christmas 2000 when he was pardoned by President Bill Clinton.

LINK (http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/08/former-rep-dan-rostenkowski-has-died.html)
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: cavegal on August 11, 2010, 12:11:41 PM
Never heard of him... rip!
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on August 11, 2010, 12:16:50 PM
Never heard of him... rip!

Typical Chicago thug politician.  Read the link.  Part of what I left out:

Quote
A longtime Democratic committeeman for the 32nd Ward, Rostenkowski was a classic meat-and-potatoes politician  whose blunt and plain-spoken approach charmed both Washington elites and his Polish neighbors on the Northwest Side.

A protégé of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley, he was known for years as Daley's man in Washington, focusing on parochial projects good for Chicago. But he took on national stature as a leader of the loyal opposition during Ronald Reagan's presidency.
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: Chris_ on August 11, 2010, 12:22:06 PM
I thought he had died years ago.  Oh well.
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: Tess Anderson on August 11, 2010, 12:24:47 PM
Me too, Chris . . . I think I had him confused with Tip O'Neil.

Yeah, old Chicago machine politican - corrupt and crooked. His tenure as House Majority speaker makes Newt's look saintly in comparison. Still, this news is a surprise and condolences for his family and friends.
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: littlelamb on August 11, 2010, 01:57:19 PM
Sad news for his family sending prayers their way
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: thundley4 on August 11, 2010, 01:58:25 PM
Was it him or another Chicago Dem that had some problems with a minor ?
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on August 11, 2010, 02:01:42 PM
Was it him or another Chicago Dem that had some problems with a minor ?

That was Mel Reynolds.
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: thundley4 on August 11, 2010, 02:09:40 PM
That was Mel Reynolds.

Ah, yes. Thanks.
Title: Re: Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski dead at 82
Post by: PatriotGame on August 11, 2010, 02:37:37 PM
R.I.P. Leftist scumbag. Say hi to Ted Kennedy and Molly Ivins when you arrive in hell. Their offices are directly across the hall from Satan's.

BTW - There is no such thing as an honest, straight-forward politician from Chicago.