Faint Praise: Duke Cunningham Edition

Well, it took him long enough, but Randy Cunningham (Kleptocrat-CA) has finally come clean (via TPM).

I have to say I am impressed with the forthrightness that the Duke expresses in his statement. He actually seems contrite, and he actually seems to understand what a terrible breach of trust and decency his actions constitute.

It's hard not to reflect on the time in which we live: a time when the President of the United States and his chief aides have repeatedly misled the people, distorted facts, and in some cases quite clearly outright lied about the necessity and conduct of a war---and then impugned the honesty and patriotism of those who would dare confront them with their mendacity and mistakes. As despicable as the Duke's actions were, this sort of contrition -- hell, this sort of acknowledgment of reality, however ugly -- is sorely lacking from our so-called leaders.

It feels weird to praise the Duke, however faintly.

But at least he's man enough to admit his transgressions.