GOP congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a former Top Gun pilot and fighter ace was downed today due to media attention.

Embattled Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham canceled his public appearances at community events scheduled for today, his spokesman said.

Cunningham, R-Rancho Santa Fe, was to attend a pancake breakfast here this morning, among other holiday events. His speech at the Encinitas Fourth of July Community Celebration and Pancake Breakfast was to be his first public appearance in the two weeks since he has become the subject of investigations by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's Office and a grand jury in connection with his financial dealings with a defense contractor.

"It is clear from all the advanced publicity that any Fourth of July celebration he is scheduled to attend will become a media frenzy," Cunningham's press secretary Mark Olson said last night.

Riiiiiiight! Maybe Duke would like some chicken.