Too close for missiles. I'm switching to guns.
Today, U.S. Representative for California's 50th District, Randy Cunningham pled guilty to bribery and tax evasion. He also resigned. What I find interesting is that every single news report refers to him as Randy "Duke" Cunningham. That was probably the ex-Congressman's preference, since in large letters on his own page, he is Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Since I like playing pop psychologist and creating facts where none exist, I think it silly that Cunningham is "Duke." Is this a man who can't leave his past?
Duke was Cunningham's call-sign when he was a F-4 Phantom pilot for the US Navy during the Vietnam War. A call-sign is that fanciful nickname pilots give each other, like Maverick, Goose, and Juggs. Juggs was an actual call-sign given to a female naval aviator because of "her fantastic superstructure." I'm familiar with Randy Cunningham's background because of my interest in aviation. He was a famous naval aviator during the Vietnam War. Before heading over to Vietnam, he was one of the first graduates from the Navy Fighter Weapons School, "Top Gun." He was the war's first American ace, a pilot who shot down at least five enemy aircraft. His last kill was the most famous aerial engagement of the war, the duel with "Colonel Toon," a mysterious Vietnamese top pilot, though no official records of him exist. In fact, some name him as Colonel Tomb. The leading pilots of the North Vietnam were well-known and well-documented, but not Colonel Toon. In any case, the dogfight is famous and is in lots of aviation history books. You can even buy paintings of it. After shooting down Toon, Cunningham ditched his plane in the sea. For that sortie, his commendations would include a Navy Cross, the second-highest military award. Afterwards, he became an instructor at Top Gun.
Nothing he did afterwards seems to have lived up to his Vietnam days. He did business and teaching. He was Dean of Aviation at National University. He was a talking head during the 1991 Gulf War. He set up a company, Top Gun Enterprises, to sell books and merchandise related to him. In 1990, he ran for Congress in San Diego, though his primary residence was in Orange County. He's been a leading member on Appropriations and Intelligence committees, which got him in his current troubles, since he's been assigning contracts to defense companies that give him lots of money. Top Gun Enterprises was used as a tax shelter for some of the bribes. In his press conference today, Representative Cunningham referred to his Vietnam days. "I learned in Vietnam that the true measure of a man is how he responds to adversity. I can't undo what I have done, but I can atone."
The other interesting thing I find is some of the defenses for Cunningham, even though Cunningham has pled guilty and tearfully apologized for his actions publicly. I have heard on the radio that it was Washington that corrupted him and forced him to take the bribes. I have read people that say he shouldn't do any jail time, because either he has performed such sterling service to his country, or because he's one of the "good guys," a faithful conservative Republican, unlike another Vietnam veteran, John McCain. I don't know if the apologists believe what they say, are blinded by hero worship, or believe that someone of their own political belief, can do no wrong.
Is what happened in Vietnam all that matters? I guess for some people, it does. I admired Cunningham for his flying exploits, but I think of Cunningham better, because of his emotional press conference. He admitted he committed wrongful actions. He didn't justify or excuse them. However, he doesn't get a pass from me because of Vietnam or for his apology. He was a corrupt politician who got caught.
Duke was Cunningham's call-sign when he was a F-4 Phantom pilot for the US Navy during the Vietnam War. A call-sign is that fanciful nickname pilots give each other, like Maverick, Goose, and Juggs. Juggs was an actual call-sign given to a female naval aviator because of "her fantastic superstructure." I'm familiar with Randy Cunningham's background because of my interest in aviation. He was a famous naval aviator during the Vietnam War. Before heading over to Vietnam, he was one of the first graduates from the Navy Fighter Weapons School, "Top Gun." He was the war's first American ace, a pilot who shot down at least five enemy aircraft. His last kill was the most famous aerial engagement of the war, the duel with "Colonel Toon," a mysterious Vietnamese top pilot, though no official records of him exist. In fact, some name him as Colonel Tomb. The leading pilots of the North Vietnam were well-known and well-documented, but not Colonel Toon. In any case, the dogfight is famous and is in lots of aviation history books. You can even buy paintings of it. After shooting down Toon, Cunningham ditched his plane in the sea. For that sortie, his commendations would include a Navy Cross, the second-highest military award. Afterwards, he became an instructor at Top Gun.
Nothing he did afterwards seems to have lived up to his Vietnam days. He did business and teaching. He was Dean of Aviation at National University. He was a talking head during the 1991 Gulf War. He set up a company, Top Gun Enterprises, to sell books and merchandise related to him. In 1990, he ran for Congress in San Diego, though his primary residence was in Orange County. He's been a leading member on Appropriations and Intelligence committees, which got him in his current troubles, since he's been assigning contracts to defense companies that give him lots of money. Top Gun Enterprises was used as a tax shelter for some of the bribes. In his press conference today, Representative Cunningham referred to his Vietnam days. "I learned in Vietnam that the true measure of a man is how he responds to adversity. I can't undo what I have done, but I can atone."
The other interesting thing I find is some of the defenses for Cunningham, even though Cunningham has pled guilty and tearfully apologized for his actions publicly. I have heard on the radio that it was Washington that corrupted him and forced him to take the bribes. I have read people that say he shouldn't do any jail time, because either he has performed such sterling service to his country, or because he's one of the "good guys," a faithful conservative Republican, unlike another Vietnam veteran, John McCain. I don't know if the apologists believe what they say, are blinded by hero worship, or believe that someone of their own political belief, can do no wrong.
Is what happened in Vietnam all that matters? I guess for some people, it does. I admired Cunningham for his flying exploits, but I think of Cunningham better, because of his emotional press conference. He admitted he committed wrongful actions. He didn't justify or excuse them. However, he doesn't get a pass from me because of Vietnam or for his apology. He was a corrupt politician who got caught.
posted by Pettifogger | 3:59 PM
2 Comments:
Nicely put. That's pretty much how I feel. I've long admired the guy. He has to face the music. I hope that one day he recovers.
Word.
Great post.
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