The Rick Amato Show

The Rick Amato Show Expands To Weeknights on 1170 KCBQ!

La Jolla, CA- The Rick Amato Show is expanding to weeknights on 1170 KCBQ. Beginning May 1st the show will now be heard weeknights 9pm-11pm (PST), with rebroadcasts airing on weekend nights. It becomes San Diego's only local late night talk radio show. The show can also be heard online at amatotalk.com.

"I would like to thank KCBQ, our sponsors and our growing loyal audience of listeners who have all helped make this opportunity possible", Amato said.

"In addition I would like to express a special thanks to both Lou Dobbs of CNN and Tony Blankley of The Washington Times for their support in being  friends of the show".

Among Rick's guests next week will be: Lou Dobbs of CNN, Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA), former USC running back Anthony Davis commenting on the Hip Hop culture in America, and Joe Loya father-in-law of convicted Border Patrol Agent Ignacio Ramos.

Over the past year the show has grown from a one day a week weekend program to one which has developed a national audience of online listeners, featured a consistent solid guest lineup and received repeated national exposure.

Rick Amato believes that increasingly working  middle-class Americans feel under represented, under appreciated and overwhelmed as lobbyists and special interest groups gain greater influence in Washington- among both political parties- all at the expense of everyday people.

Not Suitable For Exploitation

The Rick Amato show is saddened by the recent tragedy at Virginia tech, our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected.

It is amazing how quickly the special interest groups and those with a self fulfilling agenda take center stage to turn a horrific event into their personal soapbox, overlooking the real story, that 32 innocent men and women have lost their lives, leaving countless grieving family members and friends, whose lives will be forever changed.

The media is filled with speculation and second guessing as to how the events could have been avoided or better handled. The special interest groups race to parade their causes, exploiting the lives lost; proclaiming gun control would have prevented the shootings or the contrasting view that armed students and security guards could have stopped it, better planning on the part of the school officials could have saved more lives, scapegoat the mental health professionals who had evaluated Cho Seung-Hui for not reporting his psychological problems, blaming the fact that the family had a hard life, that he was bullied, the professors for not reporting his disturbed writings, and blaming the police because he had two previous stalking cases – all just theories of those thinking their way could have prevented the casualty.

So who is right? While the timing is not, all these opinions make viable arguments; there are countless scenarios that could prevent such a disastrous event.

Conversely, think for a moment, of the precedence set by the courts, the government, the politically correct, and the media in trying to figure out which would best apply. I could go on and on to dispute all the special interest claims.

I’d rather advise a simpler solution: Respect yourself, respect your fellow man, it is not always about coming out in front, but using integrity, common-sense, moral standards, and having accountability - the attributes that are too often under-glamorized and overlooked.

Anthony Payne

Associate Producer, The Rick Amato Show

Journalist Tells It Like It Is

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.

Memo From CEO Of CBS To Employees: Imus Fired!

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.

An American Legend Passes

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.

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.

 

Ford CEO Earns $24 Million, Lays Off 30,000 Workers

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.