Invented Controversy Over Rahm Emanuel's Housing

I defend Rahm Emanuel. Mark this on the calendar.

Apparently there is some kind of invented scandal over Rahm Emanuel's living situation. It is being said that because Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) allows Rahm to live with her for free, his housing is "illegal" and he is thus "ineligible" for Chief of Staff under Obama's new ethics rules. This was a source of enough concern that a private investigator looked into it. J.G. Thayer has a blustery blog in Commentary magazine today claiming, "To most people, this is 'imputed income' — non-financial gifts or compensation that should be reported to the IRS. Funny, last time I lived with a friend for free, that's just what I said too, "Hey, would you mind giving me some imputed income?" Are you kidding me??? This has got to be close to the bottom of the barrel in terms of scandal-reporting. So because someone doesn't pay for their housing, it's illegal? Now you have to owe someone money every month to be a resident? Give me a break. Someone in D.C. finds affordable housing and it's a national scandal.