Former Ace Does Crash and Burn

From Salon. com: “Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleaded guilty today to a charge of conspiring to commit bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud. In the process, the California Republican admitted to taking at least $2.4 million in bribes from a defense contractor and other co-conspirators. "He did the worst thing an elected official can do — he enriched himself through his position and violated the trust of those who put him there," said U.S. Attorney Carol Lam. In a tearful appearance before the press a few minutes ago, Cunningham announced that he is resigning immediately from Congress. He said that he has forfeited the "trust of my friends and family" and vowed to cooperate with an ongoing investigation.” From my post of a few months ago: 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 http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/ 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 mil)  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, as on May 10, 1972 he’s going to crash and burn. This time there may be no rescue.

Comments

[Tony B]

Nice analysis. What I can't get over is how stupid of a ploy it was. Not even clever. I think you hit the nail on the head about feeling entitled after being treated as special for so long.