During a visit to a U.S. History class at San Dieguito Academy, Encinitas, California in 2004, this Congressman said, “I’ve flown an airplane over this city with a 20mm Gatling gun. I could’ve disintegrated this whole school in half a second. I’ve never committed a crime with a weapon. I support people like myself with the right to bear arms that are legal.” He says that “the only people who support abortion have already been born.” He compared prostate cancer treatment to gay anal sex before a group of elderly cancer patients and no man would enjoy prostate cancer treatment “unless he’s Barney Frank.” He's serves his eighth term in the U.S. House of Representatives after first being elected in 1990. He lives part time on a 42 foot yacht on the Potomac River which is called the Duke Stir. He owns a $2.5 million mansion outside San Diego. He serves on the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Holy Potsie's prostate, Batman, it's Mr. Cunningham!
He's received campaign contributions from employees and agents of companies like the Furman Group, Gen-Probe, Inc. and American Defense International. A review of his reports filed with the Federal Election Commission reads like a who's who of military, farming and medical political action committees. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has called on the House Ethics Committee to investigate the 2003 sale of his home in California to Mitchell Wade, founder of MZM, Inc. a government contractor for $1.7 million. A few months later the buyer resold the house at a $700,000 loss. The FBI is now investigating the entire matter. Cunningham's attorney says that the FBI searches of his homes are “an appalling abuse of government power.” It seems to me that one good abuse deserves another.
MZM, on its website, states that its mission is “To assist leaders of government and private industry prepare for and adapt to the increasing perplexities and challenges of the 21st century, particularly in the critical areas of security and intelligence.” Yep, it sure sounds like they've assisted the leaders in our government. Oh, and did I forget to tell you that the Duke Stir happens to be owned by Mr. Wade? Oh, Heaven's to Betsy, sounds to me like this calls for an independent prosecutor. Arthur Fonzarelli, your country needs you.
Article comments
1 - RJ
During a visit to a U.S. History class at San Dieguito Academy, Encinitas, California in 2004, this Congressman said, “I’ve flown an airplane over this city with a 20mm Gatling gun. I could’ve disintegrated this whole school in half a second. I’ve never committed a crime with a weapon. I support people like myself with the right to bear arms that are legal.” He says that “the only people who support abortion have already been born.” He compared prostate cancer treatment to gay anal sex before a group of elderly cancer patients and no man would enjoy prostate cancer treatment “unless he’s Barney Frank.”
Sounds like a pretty interesting and funny fellow to me. Too bad it appears he's also corrupt...sigh...
2 - Temple Stark
The guy deserves jail time. Him and "can't walk straight" Delay could share a jail sell for a few years.
3 - RJ
What crime has Delay been indicted for?
BTW, it's "jail cell" not "jail sell"... :-/
4 - Temple Stark
Don't be a typo tit ya dip.
Cut from the same cloth. - Corrupt pieces of shit. Neither has done a lick of good in their careers as far as I can tell; all front.
5 - Nick Jones
Delay hasn't been charged with any crime, but he's being investigated.
6 - Silas Kain
You're absolutely right, Nick. Delay has been convicted of no crime. And the House Ethics Committee is a disgrace for the polarization that exists within it. Republicans and Democrats can't serve on that committee and remain ethical.
There's a crisis in confidence of Congressional members' ability to remain neutral when it comes to matters of behaviour unbecoming one of their own. That crisis in confidence lays directly on the shoulders of Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. A Speaker, while elected by the majority political party, is supposed to oversee the entire body and preserve its dignity and ability to function as an estate free from corruption.
We haven't seen real leadership from the Speaker's Office since the days of John McCormick. Speaker Hastert is a fine man with a keen knowledge of American history. He's been a teacher. He's served his constituency in Illinois brilliantly. I had hoped that his genteel manner would bring some kind of harmony to the House divided. I've been very disappointed in his lack of accomplishment.
The reason why I set my sights on Duke Cunningham in this piece is to illustrate how quickly the GOP will run the other way now that things are surfacing. Behind the scenes there will be GOP operatives working to get Cunningham to resign. There'll be a hate campaign by Democrats in his home district. I'm not defending the man. As far as I am concerned he has served 7 terms too many. But that being said, the evidence and allegations that have made their way to the media clearly underscore the need for immediate change to the campaign finance structure in place today. What can we do, within the realm of Blogospheria, to facilitate positive change in Washington? We have the power right here, my friends. Maybe it's time we show them just how powerful we can be.
7 - Silas Kain
I'm amazed that the situation with Congressman Cunningham isn't drawing out more commentary. Everyone seems to have their knickers in a twist over the SCOTUS. To me the issue of influence peddling and soft campaign contributions is equally as serious as the kind of nominee the President selects for the highest Court in the land.
8 - Nancy
That issue is being pushed under because every single one on the hill just about is guilty of it. As for the media, they're owned for the most part by GOP-affiliated persons & groups, and right now the GOP doesn't want to rock the investigation boat anymore than it has to, and the Dems seem to have agreed this is a good thing to do.
My continuing refrain: lobbyists & lobbys should be illegal. Taking ANYTHING from special interests or whatever they want to call themselves to soft-peddle what they really are, should be illegal, whether it's a trip to Scotland, a new car, dinner, or a shopping trip for the wife of. Those leaving political positions should be barred from consulting, or joining influence-peddling firms for FIVE or TEN years, not one. That would put a quick jam in the "revolving door" of ex-politicos for sale.
9 - Silas Kain
Thank you, Nancy, I totally agree. So once again I make my challenge:
What say you bloggers from both sides of the aisle? Are we ready to unite in a campaign to demand poltical campaign finance and influence peddling reform? I say we have the talent and the power. The question remains, do we have the guts?
10 - gonzo marx
heh..i say chuck lobbyists feet first into a wood chipper
CSPAN could cover it live
i bet after the first dozen or so, it would evacuate K street
nuff said?
Excelsior!
11 - Temple Stark
itd be nice if aliens would take them. cleaner.
Temple "neat freak with a giant headache" Stark
12 - macromayhem
Living in the district this Congressman represents - let me tell you. His antics are appalling. He has made outrageous comment after outrageous comment. NO accountability from the voters in this district. This should shed some light on the misgivings of his true character.
13 - Silas Kain
Thanks, macro, for giving us a first hand opinion of a constituent in Mr. Cunningham's district. It's most apalling that the voters have not made him more accountable. Is it that his political machine is so powerful or that the voters of your district are so clueless that they don't care who they elect?
14 - Silas Kain
On July 1, I wrote this piece. Today, Congressman Cunningham pled guilty admitting he took $2.4 million to steer defense contracts to conspirators using his leadership position on a congressional subcommittee. As tears poured out of his eyes, he read a statement in front of the Federal Courthouse in San Diego and he has resigned from Congress. Again, we need campaign finance reform!
15 - Silas Kain
What??? No commentary on Cunningham?
16 - ClubhouseCancer
Mr. C jumped the shark.
17 - Silas Kain
Sentencing is scheduled for Feb 27.