Editorial by Michael J. Splinter, Dandridge, TN

STAFF SGT. GIROUARD GETTING BUM DEAL

Most Americans feel insulated and protected from dangerous terrorists, but to whom should we be grateful for this perceived security? Politicians who refuse to close our borders? No, our defenders are the members of our armed forces.

The case of Staff Sgt. Raymond Girouard is a sad commentary on how we thank them for protecting us.

Girouard, who personally hurt no one, is suffering the consequences of the actions of subordinates who killed detained Iraqis. These were terrorists who would have cut their throats if given the opportunity.

For simply attempting to protect these men in his charge, he was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment and has already served more than one year in solitary confinement. Talk about military justice - an apparent oxymoron.

Will President Bust now do the right thing and reunite Girouard with his young son by commuting his sentence to time served or even issuing him a presidential pardon?

Don't bet on it.

What about the newly empowered Democrats who profess so much concern for our military members in Iraq? Will any of them come to the aid of this fine young man by urging Bush to set him free?

Again, don't bet on it.

And you thought you elected your new protectors last November.

The following is a memo obtained by Amatotalk.com written by Leslie Moonves CEO of CBS, to the employees of CBS, announcing and explaining the firing of Don Imus.

To: All CBS Employees

From: Leslie Moonves, CEO

Date:  April 12, 2007

I want to inform you that we have decided to cease broadcasting the Imus
in the Morning radio program, effective immediately, on a permanent
basis.

> We reach this decision after a period of thought, discussion, listening
> to you, and the pursuit of due process in this painful matter. From the
> outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the
> statements that were made on our air about the young women who
> represented Rutgers University  in the NCAA Women's Basketball
> Championship with such class, energy and talent. While we have already
> made our disappointment and outrage clear, I would like to take the
> opportunity to offer my personal apologies to the Rutgers team, its
> impressive Coach, and the entire Athletic Department and Administration
> of Rutgers University. CBS has nothing but the highest regard for that
> establishment and its students, and we are sorry that offense was given
> in such a brutal and insensitive manner.
>
> I would also like to extend an apology to everyone beyond Rutgers. Those
> who have spoken with us the last few days represent people of goodwill
> from all segments of our society - all races, economic groups, men and
> women alike. In our meetings with concerned groups, there has been much
> discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people,
> particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this
> society. That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we
> made our decision, as have the many emails, phone calls and personal
> discussions we have had with our colleagues across the CBS Corporation
> and our many other constituencies.
>
> At the same time, we wanted to take the time necessary to listen to the
> many diverse voices that were raised on this issue. In so doing, we have
> been trying, as best as is possible in such a complex and emotional
> environment, to determine what is, indeed, the right thing to do. I
> believe that in taking this action, we are doing the right thing.
>
> Many of you have come forward during this past week to share your
> thoughts and feelings. I thank you for that. At the end of the day, the
> integrity of our Company and the respect that you feel for CBS becomes
> the most important consideration.
>
> One thing is for certain: This is about a lot more than Imus. As has
> been widely pointed out, Imus has been visited by Presidents, Senators,
> important authors and journalists from across the political spectrum. He
> has flourished in a culture that permits a certain level of
> objectionable expression that hurts and demeans a wide range of people.
> In taking him off the air, I believe we take an important and necessary
> step not just in solving a unique problem, but in changing that culture,
which extends far beyond the walls of our Company.

I want to thank all those who came to see us to express their views. We
are now presented with a significant opportunity to expand on our record
on issues of diversity, race and gender. We intend to seize that
opportunity as we move forward together.

On a day when the media is a ga-ga over the stupid, asinine words of shock jock Don Imus in describing the Rutgers University women's basketball team, it is worth reflecting upon the passing of Eddie Robinson, a  true American legend.

Unlike Imus, Sharpton and MANY others Eddie Robinson was all class.

Though he grew up under the humiliation of segregation and worked while battling institutional racism, he always appeared above being bitter. He once said:

"The best way to enjoy life in America is to first be an American, and I don't think you have to be white to do so.  Blacks have had a hard time, but not many Americans haven't."

His greatness is reflected by the accomplishments of being the second winningest coach in college football history,  the first college coach in history win 400 games and by sending over 200 student-athletes off to play professional football.

1. But in my mind what truly set Eddie Robinson apart, was his ability to turn obstacles, into successes and the graceful way he went about doing it.

He coached at the tiny historically black college of Grambling University. Located in the hinder lands, halfway between Shreveport, Louisiana and Arkansas (or so I am told), with little to no operating budget, a stadium seating capacity of only 13,000...

...he merely sent the first black football player to the pros, got his team invited to play in The Big Apple- New York City- at Yankee Stadium and played before 220,000 paying customers during one season.

Eddie Robinson was a creator. He knew how to create success on the football field, and in the lives of those around him in the process.

In an ever widening gap between America's CEO's and middle America…

Ex-Ford employees will be happy to learn that Ford CEO Alan Mulally will now be able to purchase a small island. While Ford lays of 30,000 employees, the recent financial release shows the top executives at Ford were able to pocket $62 million in compensation as reported to the SEC, even as the company reported losses last year to be $12.6 billion.

Ford brought Mulally in from Boeing last October in a move that can only be appreciated by rock stars  and  pro athletes. Mulally replaces Bill Ford in the position, recent disclosures also show Mr. Ford to have earned $10.5 million last year. Mulally received a $666,667 salary, an $18.5 million bonus, and $8.68 million in other compensation that included relocation costs.

As reported in the Wall Street Journal, Ford spokesperson Becky Sanch, gives explanation for the generous pay package, citing the need to entice Mulally with such compensation to pull him away from his role with Boeing:

"When you look at Alan’s numbers, although they look large, its important to know we did have to recruit him from a long and established career at Boeing."

Stanch also gave some reasoning as to why Ford was willing to offer such a package, adding the compensation was,

"…related to him forfeiting performance stock-option awards at his previous employer."

It is possible that Mulally can give Ford the spark it needs to regain its role as an auto industry leader, but at least so far, the top brass at Ford are unwilling to bring his compensation package in line with the current state of the company's  performance.

The question I ask is this: How can American companies justify paying any CEO $24 million for four months worth of work- at any time- let alone when the company is losing money and laying off workers?

What is it about these CEO's that makes them so charming, so glib that they are able to persuade a board of directors to pay compensation packages drastically out of line with the rest of society?

It isn't right.

This is the second in our '08 Presidential Candidate Spotlight series. Today' we take a "spotlight view" at Tom Tancredo  the Republican presidential canidate from Colorado:

Though he trails the media favorites - Obama, Clinton, Romney, and Giuliani - by as much as 20 to 1 in campaign financing, Tom Tancredo is building a grassroots campaign in hopes his common-sense principles will catch on with middle-America voters and allow him to emrege as a top GOP candidate for the 2008 election.

Tancredo’s message is simple – Secure our borders; ensure the sanctity and sovereignty of our Nation - and the majority will follow.

In a recent newsletter Tancredo voiced his concern on the continuing under-representation of the American People:

“…Wherever I go, Americans like you--of all backgrounds and political beliefs--thank me for standing up for them against the Establishment politicians who have become pawns of corporate America. They believe Washington is selling out our nation, and they are right...”

Tancredo also recently said,

"I have a built-in constituency of average Americans who are worried the impact of illegal immigration will have on their jobs, their schools, their hospitals, their prisons, their national security and their culture. There are millions of them"

Tancredo has also been an outspoken advocate for the release of imprisoned border agents Ramos and Compean and a critic of the Bush Administration for it's (mis)handling of the case.

He may be a long shot bid and regarded as a second tier candidate for the presidency. But he is one of the few with the backbone and conviction to stand for his beliefs.

     While Gilmer Hernandez sits in a federal prison, the immigrants who were involved in an illegal human smuggling operation are cashing-in courtesy of the American taxpayer.

     Claiming violations against their civil rights, Maricela Rodriguez-Garcia and Candido Garcia-Perez, who were in a van that attempted to run over Deputy Sheriff Hernandez after a traffic stop April 14, 2005, in Rocksprings, Texas were successfully able to pocket a $100,000 payday with help from attorney, James D. Doyle, III, in a mediation hearing.

     The settlement may be a small price to pay as it keeps the case out of litigation – Garcia and Perez initially were seeking $1.5 million, and ensures Deputy Hernandez is not sued once released.

     Rodriguez-Garcia was injured in the face and Garcia Perez on the arm by shell fragments from Hernandez's weapon in an attempt to shoot the tires on the smugglers vehicle. U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, who also prosecuted border patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, was successful in convincing a jury Hernandez took unwarranted deadly force. Hernandez is now serving a one-year prison sentence.

     Sheriff Don G. Letsinger told WorldNetDaily:

"I think it is kind of ridiculous that a bunch of people enter into a felony conspiracy to violate the immigration laws of the United States, and one of the conspirators who was driving the vehicle tries to run over a deputy sheriff…”

“…And now the conspirators want to turn around and sue the deputy sheriff for defending his life, as well as sue the county and the sheriff the deputy worked for."

     Clearly, Gilmer Hernandez was in the right place at the wrong time and Rodriguez-Garcia and Garcia-Perez in the wrong place at the right time.

     While Gilmer’s wife and young daughter not only lose a husband and father for a year, the family will also be financially burdened by the loss of income and legal fees; it appears the Bush Administration is sending the message: take the risk to cross illegally. The financial rewards are well worth it.

Whether you are age 25 or 65, The Amato Money Report cuts through all the clutter and hype to give you the news, information and strategies to be properly equipped for financial success in today's world.

The gap between the very rich and those in the middle class continues to widen in America.

We understand that increasingly the government and businesses have become less reliable as they are forced to cut back on retirement benefits, health benefits, medical benefits and social security benefits, causing the need for Americans to become more informed and self-dependent in their financial future.  This is occurring at a time when people are living longer lives- and can now expect to spend more time living in retirement than at any other time in history…and all the while… the cost of living continues to rise, tripling about every twenty years.

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On Friday British film maker John Laurence, director of '"I Am An American Soldier"', spoke out regarding his criticism of articles written recently here and at AmatoTalk.com.

Today defense attorney Anita Gorecki responds to to Mr. Laurence's comments. Ms. Gorecki was the lead civilian attorney representing SSG Raymond Girouard during his recent court martial in what is known as The Iron Triangle Case.