<I could see--barely--a $1.5 million annual retirement check for a hugely successful CEO that had brought billions into his company (Well? Does Ebbers fall into this category?), but what the hell would he need to borrow over $400 million for, low interest or not?

He was the merger-force that built the WorldCom empire, while Sidgemore was the tech-guru who envisioned better ways to make networking network. In truth, Ebbers couldn't email his way out of wet paper bag, but, man, he could buy!

The loans were to cover his bad investments a couple years ago -- which cut heavily into our last pay raise. I haven't been close to a raise since -- but next year looks promising...

Dan