[23InetrySypekek]

"This damn sure ain't no funeral, is it?" Nice grammar, Chuck. Any Conservative taliking like that would be considered...unsophisticated.

Rangel: 'This ain't no funeral'

By CARL CAMPANILE and JENNIFER FERMINO

Last Updated: 12:05 PM, August 12, 2010

Posted: 3:48 AM, August 12, 2010

A who's who of Democratic officials turned out to celebrate scandal-scarred Rep. Charles Rangel's 80th birthday last night -- whooping it up as if he didn't have an ethics charge in the world.

In fact, former Mayor David Dinkins, 83, went so far as to flip the bird to a protester who called Rangel a "crook" outside The Plaza hotel gala.

Not everyone matched Dinkins' gusto, but the New York political establishment did turn out in force.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Mayor Bloomberg all took turns at the mike to heap praise on the longtime Harlem legislator.

A jovial Gov. Paterson emceed the fund-raising bash and paid tribute to the embattled congressman's "dedication to public service."

Rangel lapped it up, telling the crowd, "This damn sure ain't no funeral, is it?"

At the end of the festivities in the Grand Ballroom, an emotional Rangel told the audience, "Please remember me in your prayers. It helps."

[boizzones]

Click link for video of Chuck bustin' a move at his 80th birthday bash!!!

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/polit...100509129.html

Friends Rally Round Rangel

By MAGGIE HABERMAN
Updated 2:23 PM EDT, Thu, Aug 12, 2010

Shrugging the weight of his troubles off his shoulders for a few hours, Rep. Charles Rangel basked in the glow of praise from a host of Democratic officials, longtime backers and New York players at a lush 80th birthday bash/fundraiser at The Plaza Hotel that was closely monitored for mood and attendance in the wake of the House ethics case against him.

There was a palpable sense of frustration among some Rangel supporters with some of the pressure on him. Even the normally reserved former mayor of New York City, David Dinkins, flipped the bird to a loud heckler who was shouting "crook" to almost every African-American man who entered the hotel.

But inside, it was a happier mood - even though some guests privately acknowledged that it might be the last pre-campaign birthday fundraiser that Rangel holds. Starting Thursday morning, he'll be pivoting toward his re-election campaign and the Sept. 14 Democratic primary.

The Harlem Democrat was clearly moved — and said as much – by the outpouring. But he was also buoyant as he stood on stage for more than two hours, with wife Alma beside him for much of the event, in the storied hotel's chandelier-appointed and gilded Grand Ballroom.

[PebydataFeents]

I'm sure when you turn 80, you'll go ahead and have your bash, no matter who or what's after you...