Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
Accepting a bribe in any form is over the line. Cunningham trades on his name and reputation of honor and integrity. This is a guy who is a lot more like Joe Foss than Greg Boyington, and rarely hesitates to say so. He is in a position that requires him to be so. This is not a case of Cunningham being FORCED to try to be something he's not. He chose to enter public service and trade on his reputation and name.
I agree if he took a bribe, he stepped over the line. Legally, and ethically. Whether he did it or not may be an issue, but I'm not going to believe him just because he flew fighters.
If the man actively trades on his history, or ever compares himself to a man like Joe Foss, to me that shows a major character flaw right there. I personally dont care if he flew fighters in Vietnam or flipped hamburgers in Canada hiding from the draft, neither act specifically says hes trustworthy or not. I need to know more context than just his actions to judge character. He may be a bonafide hero, but telling everyone he is just to get votes (to me) tarnishes the image, so to speak.
As I said though, I dont know the man so I could be way off base. I hope for the sake of those who do believe in him that they are not dissapointed.
