You do realize that Charlie Rangel is a very highly decorated (Purple Heart, Bronze Star--in an era where they weren't handing out decorations like candy, and certainly not to dusky-hued servicemembers) Korean War veteran??
Rangel then enlisted in the United States Army, and served from 1948 to 1952. During the Korean War, he was a sergeant in the all-black 503rd Field Artillery Battalion in the 2nd Infantry Division. In late November 1950, this unit was caught up in heavy fighting in North Korea as part of the U.N. forces retreat from the Yalu River. In the Battle of Kunu-Ri, Rangel led some 40 men from his unit, during three days of freezing weather, out of a Chinese Army encirclement; nearly half of the battalion was killed in the overall battle.<2> Rangel was awarded a Purple Heart for a shrapnel wound to his foot and the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his actions in the face of death. In 2000, Rangel reflected with CBS News that "Since Kunu Ri — and I mean it with all my heart, I have never, never had a bad day."<3>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_B._RangelHe has MORE than 'checked that block.' He has bona fides to not just contribute to, but lead the discussion.
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