There are a number of possible explanations for the lack of “comment” links on the Ticker for the last couple of days.

CNN’s refusal to explain this situation as either a technical difficulty or a change of policy is unprofessional and rude.

CNN’s deletion of comments on this policy is cowardice and unethical journalism.

To the person who’s going to delete this: Is this why you went to J-School?

A restaurant hostess making 7 bucks an hour would have to work 4 years and 5 months to pay for that portrait - assuming she paid no taxes.

This is wasteful, offensive and sadly typical Washington D.C., where $65K (twice my salary as a community college professor) is small change.

And this man wants $64,500 to hang a framed photo of himself. He gives Vanity a whole new meaning!

Utterly Disgusting. Nuff Said. If the
NY Democrats bite on this one they can Kiss the White House Good Bye!

Portraits are expensive and portraits have traditionally been painted of many leading politicians. This isn't much of a shock. Are we suddenly going to cease the tradition of doing portraits and require that all politicians get photos taken?

For all of you making the Katrina comments, for perspective, look at what the costs to operate Air Force One are. Like any other Boening 747, it burns more than $6,000 in fuel/hour. Now add in the flight crew, etc. Don't even include the base $650 million for the 2 planes, as that's a sunk cost. Now, how many times has Bush come down to get PR boosts on the nation's dollar, 25?

Maybe he should have stayed at home in DC, or better yet, Crawford, and donated all of that money to Katrina.

The fact is that no matter what the issue, someone's going to think that too much money is being spent because everyone has different priorities. If we actually wanted to end a lot of human suffering out there, we have the means, but as a society, we've determined that the cost outweighs the benefits. The next time that you go to a sporting event to support $10 million salaries or buy a bigger TV, just remember, you're egotistical and should have spent that money helping someone else and not on yourself.

Do we care what you look like in 3/4 length???

And wasn't the Democrats ushered into office with idea of bringing in fresh ideas and eliminating excesses.

ahhh once in office... greed.

Rangel you should be ashamed of yourself.

CNN STARS!!!

First issue special edition cover story, why we support Clinton's regardless!

Of course this picture will eventually need to be changed so more money will get thrown away by someone else down the road.

Where is my $64,000 to get a nice pristine portrait of my family? Politicians can say what they want, there all a bunch of lousy good for nothing bums

"Hey, as long as we have hundreds of billions in deficits every year and a national debt in the trillions, what's 60 grand and change to stroke my ego? Never mind all the essential services the government isn't delivering effectively, despite the tax and debt burden we impose on the peasantry. Let's focus on what really counts. Me."

Vote 'em out, regardless of party, until we get officials who are responsive to their duties and the people they allegedly represent.