When is a Bribe Not a Bribe on Capitol Hill?

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California's Republican Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham faces 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes, including a Rolls Royce, a $7,000 antique toilet and a yacht as his personal residence. Word of his transgressions first broke when the Copley-owned San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a lobbyist bought Cunningham's house at a price so inflated that it later sold for a $700,000 loss in a hot real estate market. As scandals multiply on Capitol Hill, other Republicans are worried about facing the outrage of voters. What's happened to the party that promised an end to graft and corruption when it took over Congress 12 years ago? What's the difference between business-as-usual and Cunningham's felony crimes? We look at those questions as ask what it all means for national security. Making News: Unruly Court Session at Saddam Hussein-s TrialAs trial resumed today in an unruly courtroom, Saddam Hussein declared, "I am not afraid of execution." Howard Lafranchi is in Baghdad for the Christian Science Monitor and joins us with the latest.Reporter's Notebook: Chavez Party Sweeps Venezuela ElectionPresident Hugo Chavez now controls all seats in Venezuela-s National Assembly after the opposition boycotted yesterday-s election. What does that mean for US oil interests and its influence in Latin America? Phil Gunson writes from Caracas for the Economist, the Miami Herald and Newsweek magazine.
California's Republican Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham faces 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes, including a Rolls Royce, a $7,000 antique toilet and a yacht as his personal residence. Word of his transgressions first broke when the Copley-owned San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a lobbyist bought Cunningham's house at a price so inflated that it later sold for a $700,000 loss in a hot real estate market. As scandals multiply on Capitol Hill, other Republicans are worried about facing the outrage of voters. What's happened to the party that promised an end to graft and corruption when it took over Congress 12 years ago? What's the difference between business-as-usual and Cunningham's felony crimes? We look at those questions as ask what it all means for national security.
  • Making News: Unruly Court Session at Saddam Hussein-s Trial
    As trial resumed today in an unruly courtroom, Saddam Hussein declared, "I am not afraid of execution." Howard Lafranchi is in Baghdad for the Christian Science Monitor and joins us with the latest.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Chavez Party Sweeps Venezuela Election
    President Hugo Chavez now controls all seats in Venezuela-s National Assembly after the opposition boycotted yesterday-s election. What does that mean for US oil interests and its influence in Latin America? Phil Gunson writes from Caracas for the Economist, the Miami Herald and Newsweek magazine.

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Warren Olney