Disgraced Ex-Rep. Ill-Served by Brashness

[Judi Lynn]

Disgraced Ex-Rep. Ill-Served by Brashness
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD
Associated Press Writer

March 4, 2006, 2:35 PM EST


As a Navy fighter pilot in Vietnam, Randy "Duke" Cunningham became a legend for fearlessly diving into aerial combat, his aggressiveness seemingly held in check only by gravity.

Years later, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he tested a different kind of limit -- his own capacity for excess.

The man who had represented the wealthy suburbs north of San Diego was sentenced Friday to eight years and four months in federal prison. After resigning from the House in disgrace, he pleaded guilty to accepting $2.4 million in bribes -- a crime without peer in congressional history.

"I have ripped my life to shreds," the 64-year-old Republican said in court.
(snip/...)

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-cunningham-bribery,0,1394048.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[bluestateguy]

1. This sentence is soft

I think the death penalty should have at least been considered.

And there are real questions about his war service and whether or not he actually earned his medals. I not saying the rumors are true, but they are out there. Some people say...

I hope he gets roughed up a little in prison.

I love it when white male conservatives go to jail.

[henslee]

2. I dont root for him to be anally penetrated but I think a 10+ sentence

would have been appropriate. This is a serious breach of trust * years with time off -- he could probably be out in 5.5 yrs or so.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Like I asked my adolescent client regarding his charge of

shoplifting: Are you sorry you did it or are you sorry you got caught?