Duke Cunningham, Real Estate Ace

As long as I’m on the subject of fighter pilots let me direct your attention to Republican Congressman Randy ‘Duke’ Cunningham, the first ace of the Vietnam War. He parlayed his acedom into a seat in Congress where lately he has been doing two things: pushing hard for a flag burning ammendment and defending himself against charges that he is a corrupt politico.  Talking Points Memo is all over this story. Briefly, a defense contractor and contributor to the Duke’s campaign made it possible for 1) the Duke to sell (in round numbers) his $750,000 house for $1,500,000, 2) Buy a $5,000,000+ house for $2,500,000 (photos here ). Would you think you could buy this in SoCal for $2.5? and 3) live on a yacht (owned by the defense contractor) in Washington for dock fees only. If the House still had an ethics committee he’d be gone already. Instead, citizens of his district will probably have to rely on the drumbeat of the  local press and a federal investigation.
How far do the mighty fall? One day in 1972 he shot down 3 Migs to become and ace, then was shot down himself and rescued in the South China Sea. He got the Navy Cross and became a Top Gun instructor. Oh yeah, there were those rumors of his involvement in the Tailhook Scandal. But that blew over and he was elected as a conservative member of Congress dedicated to assisting the defense establishment move forward and protecting the flag against whatever. (His special contractor/helper has supposedly tripled his defense contracts with the Duke’s help).
Human’s have an infinite capacity to rationalize their behavior (okay, I’m going to confess the pruning job I wrote about was pretty awful) and the Duke is busy explaining away his good fortune.
Back in 1972 as his F 4C Phantom spun towards the ocean, as his chute deployed and as he dropped toward possible captivity I doubt that he was thinking, “I’m going to get some payback for this.” But as time passed perhaps his sacrifice began to create an itch. Perhaps he believed he was owed something. Or, perhaps having been treated as a hero since 1972 eroded the lines of concience that might have once existed. If one is special, shouldn’t one get special rewards? Now, as he sits in his palatial estate enjoying his view of his other rich neighbors, I’m pretty certain that he will not believe that he’s a crook. He’s still an ace in his own imagination, lighting up that afterburner and taking out those Commie bastards who want to tread on our flag, shooting down real estate deals right and left. But, like on May 10, 1972   he’s going to crash and burn. This time there may be no rescue.

Comments

[Jerry]

I wander how the Department of Real Estate is going to view the ethics/morals of the agents/Broker involved in the sale of his house in Del Mar. If I, as a Real Estate Broker, knew that a property was being sold for $700,000 more than it's worth, I'd be getting something in writing from both parties to insure that they both know what's happening.

If the old "Duke Stir" had have just taken another check, instead of pumping up the price, he'd still be putting our brave troops in danger by awarding contracts to sub-par defense contractors who have to bribe to get their Company the business.

Both should get the maximum sentances for this dispicable act of treason.

Duke should return his Navy Cross--which he earned by having 4 Migs fly into his line of sight. He should also lose all of his retirement money and spend the maximun 33 years in jail.

I flew the F-4C on the USS Ranger in 1971 and was replaced by Cunningham's Carrier in May 1971. He was unliked by most of us even before he became an "ACE". The story of "Top Gun" was not about him--at all.

Any other Navy Officer would have easily have made Admiral with the recognition he received: he'll now get plenty of recognition in the slammer and probably become the "Grand Dame" for all of his soon-to-be "Little Johns".

He was just a crude loud mouth "Christian", with no morals, no ethics, no honor and no brains. I just hope that the Judge wasn't part of the pay-off grouop and gives O' Duke a swift kick in the ass for his un-patriotic service.

Instead of the Navy Cross, he should have been given a dishonorable discharge.

J