Tuesday Top Stories: 11/16-11/22

Tuesday 11/16:

• Harlem's representative to Congress, Charlie Rangel was convicted on 12 of 13 ethics violation charges by the House ethics panel. The 80-year old Congressional veteran was accused of various offenses from accepting illegal gifts to misusing Congressional letterhead. Rangel's sentencing will come some time in the next weeks.
• The GOP caucus in the Senate has agreed to adopt a an anti-earmark position in the coming up session. Earmarks, the name given to parts of legislation that allots monies to a Representative's home district or state for special projects were once the metric for a Congressman's effectiveness (see Ted Stevens). Now, anti-spending pressure has forced the Grand Ole Party caucus to close the doors on the Grand Ole' Practice.

Wednesday 11/17:

• In a great comeback story Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has won back her seat after losing in a primary to Tea Party favorite Joe Miller. Mukrowski's write-in campaign made (will make) her the first successful write-in candidate since Strom Thurmond took a Senate seat in 1954. Miller, being a sore loser, has currently tied up the certification in court, but Murkowski is expected to be re-seated when the time comes.
• For those critics who say President Obama is doing enough in office, take a look at his latest accomplishment; writing a children's book. The Commander-in-Chief took some time off being leader of the free world to write up a story inspired by his daughters. The book, Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, tells the stories of Americans who made big changes in society.

Thursday 11/18:

• According to a Quinnipiac poll, for the first time ever more Americans are opposed to military involvement in Afghanistan that support it. The poll found Americans opposed involvement in Afghanistan by a  50-44  margin. In September involvement was supported 49-41.
• The Republican Governor's Association has named their new leadership team. The former RGA Chairman and presidential hopeful Haley Barbour will now take a new position called the Policy Chairman. The new chairman will be sometimes controversial Texas Governor Rick Perry. Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell took the Vice-Chair spot.

Friday 11/19:

• Just days after Keith Olbermann returned to the MSNBC airwaves after his suspension for making political contributions, Joe Scarborough got moved away from the cameras. Scarborough, a former Congressman, and morning pundit on MSNBC, was suspended for donating to the political campaigns of a number of friends and family members. He is expected to return shortly.
• Here's an odd one. Congress passed legislation banning videos appealing to a sexual fetish by showing women killing small animals. I don't know how Congress knows about these videos as I have never come across any. I don't see many people too upset with this legislation. Nice safe bill Harry Reid.

Weekend 11/20-11/21:

• (HuffPo)  The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says he supports Congress using its lame-duck session to end the ban on gays serving openly in the military.Adm. Mike Mullen says he backs action before the new Congress in January – if that's what it takes to end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy as soon as possible.
• (Politico) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remains firm that she'll not run for president again. Asked by "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace if she's done pursuing the elected office, Clinton answered, "I am. I am very happy doing what I'm doing, and I am not in any way interested in or pursuing anything in elective office." Clinton laughed off the continued speculation that she might throw her hat into the 2012 presidential ring.

Monday 11/22:

• (HuffPo) A man imprisoned for attacking two female joggers was found guilty Monday of murdering Washington intern Chandra Levy, wrapping up a murder mystery that took down a congressman and captured the nation's attention a decade ago.Ingmar Guandique was convicted of first-degree murder for attacking Levy while she exercised in Washington's Rock Creek Park in May 2001. Her disappearance made headlines when she was romantically linked to then-Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif. Condit was once a suspect, but police no longer believe he was involved in her disappearance.
• (CNN) The developer behind the controversial Islamic community center and mosque planned for Lower Manhattan has requested federal funding through the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation to support the project known as Park51.The funding would come from money the Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated to help rebuild the neighborhood after the 9/11 attacks.