"Dukes" of Hazard

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) resigned yesterday after admitting to taking bribes worth $2.4 million and evading taxes. Apparently the guy took bribes from at least 3 defense contractors to get them federal money. All of this started when he sold his home to to defense contractor Mitchell Wade, in 2003, for $1.8 million. Wade later sold the same home for $700,000 less. Many think it was a payback to Cunningham for contracts awarded to Wade. Easy to do when you serve on a defense appropriations subcommittee, responsible for spending approval on defense programs. The "Duke" faces a maximum of up to 10 years in prison (which he won't get) and $350,000 in fines.

Just another thorn added to Republican woes. Although Cunningham wasn't a big name politician, it adds to the growing worry for the GOP that, come election time next year, voters may turn the other cheek, especially in key swing states. Now, if the Dems can get their act together, maybe something good can come of all this mess.

In other news, citizens of Boulder, Colorado…beware. Michael Brown, former head of FEMA…yeah, that one, is setting up a disaster-preparidness consulting firm in your backyard. Apparently, he thinks he's learned from his Katrina mistakes and wants to share that knowledge with others. Hey, maybe he has…regardless, take it with a grain of salt. Talk to your local emergency responders to best deal with disasters. Not the guy that left New Orleans to rot and was president of the International Arabian Horse Association…sigh…