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Listen To Pre-Deployment Pep Talk

Posted by Rick Amato on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 9:53:45 PM

British reporter John Laurence was embedded with the 101st Airborne Division for 14 months in Iraq. The same division which PFC Corey Clagett served.

Afterwards John Laurence produced a documentary which was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

Prior to Tribeca, Laurence sent me the film's trailer- I presume to generate publicity- and I am told that portions of the pre-deployment pep talk given to Corey Clagett and others are contained in the trailer.

Remember, the pep talk was never admitted in to evidence and the commanding officer who gave the pep talk was never required to testify when asked to do so.

We firmly believe that a soldiers' state of mind is relevant when accused of murder and when facing a life sentence without parole.

Click here to view the trailer.


The pep talk included the message:

" Don't let them live to fight another day. They're going to breed, multiply . . .You'll be eaten unless you act like the dominant one on the food chain...rely on your training to do what's right, do not hesitate...you're the hunted... don't bring any of them back
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Great Week Nite Line Up Planned!

Posted by Rick Amato on Monday, February 04, 2008 9:45:00 PM

We have put together what we hope you will find to be a great line up for the week!

Monday: The night before Super Tuesday, with the republican party in an uproar and California becoming a toss up- our Guest is Ursula Kuster, The National Vice Chair of Women for Mitt Romney....plus your phone calls!

Super Tuesday: Our guests are San Diego County Democratic Party Chairman, Jesse Durfee...and San Diego County Republican Party Chair Tony Kravic....plus your phone calls!

Wednesday: Corey Clagett Fundraiser! Guests: Corey's mother Melanie Dianiska, Congressman Bob Filner, Congressional Candidate Bob Watkins (R-CA, 52nd), Bill Wells and Court TV contributor defense attorney Kerry Steigerwalt...PLUS your phone calls and donations!!!!

Thursday: Our scheduled guest is Tom Bevan the co-founder of realclearpolitics.com


Keep checking back for updates!

Remember you can catch Rick this Tuesday morning at 6:45 am On 'Good Morning San Diego' on KUSI Television!







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Rick Amato's Letter To Clemency Board

Posted by Rick Amato on Saturday, February 02, 2008 2:45:16 PM

Recently I received a hand written letter from Ft. Leavenworth prison written by American soldier Private First Class Corey Clagett.

The letter- dated on Christmas Day- wished me well and asked me to thank our radio audience for both their emotional and financial support.

Corey Clagett also informed me that he has an upcoming Clemency Hearing scheduled in the near future. He asked if I would be willing to send a letter of support on his behalf.

Below is a copy of my letter to the Clemency Board at Ft. Leavenworth, KS prison in support of PFC Clagett.

(Letters have also been written by House Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Bob Filner and by San Diego resident Bill Wells):



January 28, 2008

Dear Members of the Clemency Board:

As a journalist who follows military justice issues closely, I am writing to appeal for clemency for Private First Class Corey Clagett.

I understand that PFC Clagett pled guilty to murder charges against him, even though he killed no one. His current attorney believes that he was given extremely poor legal advice from his JAG attorney who told him that he might spend the rest of his life in prison if he did not plead guilty. There were three insurgents who were killed in this case, and the other two defendants have admitted to killing all three.

In similar cases, military members who killed the enemy outside of the rules of engagement have often been given sentences of months. I understand that one of the other two defendants in this case, who killed one insurgent, was given a sentence of six months. His commanding officer was given immunity. Although he never fired his weapon, PFC Clagett was given a sentence of eighteen years.

PFC Clagett went to Iraq as ordered and served as required. As a result, he is facing a life in prison for an action he did not take. I urge you to grant clemency to Corey Clagett. I appreciate your attention to this critical case.


Sincerely,


Rick Amato
Radio Talk Show Host, KCBQ San Diego
Op-Ed Columnist, The Washington Times
Columnist, Townhall.com



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Bob Filner's Letter In Support Of PFC Clagett

Posted by Rick Amato on Saturday, February 02, 2008 2:43:00 PM

As reported here in a previous posting (A Break In The Case) Congressman Bob Filner- House Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee- announced that he would be sending a letter of support to the clemency board in the case of PFC Clagett.

We have obtained a copy of the letter and have displayed it below:


January 23, 2008

Dear Members of the Clemency Board:

As Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am writing to appeal for clemency for Private First Class Corey Clagett.

I understand that PFC Clagett pled guilty to murder charges against him, even though he killed no one. His current attorney believes that he was given extremely poor legal advice from his JAG attorney who told him that he might spend the rest of his life in prison if he did not plead guilty. There were three insurgents who were killed in this case, and the other two defendants have admitted to killing all three.

In similar cases, military members who killed the enemy outside of the rules of engagement have often been given sentences of months. I understand that one of the other two defendants in this case, who killed one insurgent, was given a sentence of six months. His commanding officer was given immunity. Although he never fired his weapon, PFC Clagett was given a sentence of eighteen years.

PFC Clagett went to Iraq as ordered and served as required. As a result, he is facing a life in prison for an action he did not take. I urge you to grant clemency to Corey Clagett. I appreciate your attention to this critical case.

Sincerely,

BOB FILNER

Member of Congress

BF/ss
2465343

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