As a parent I can tell you that you are very wrong in your assessment. I have been through the recruiting process as a player and as a parent and I can guarantee you that if I want my son to go to a particular University they will go to that University. They may think its their decision, but in reality its mine. Almost every parent that I have ever talked to during recruiting has said the same things. The parents talk to each other and there is a very strong network for information. The parents do talk. Your dilousional if you think the parents have no influence on the decision. Ask Richardson, Jackson or Marlon Brown if his family didn't have an influence on his decision.
I never stated that I was defending Foley or Slive. I simply stated that the two situations were completely different. Foley made a big deal out of it, Hamilton didn't. Slive had to address it when Foley came out and made it a big deal. The real story here is why didn't Hamilton make a big fuss over what Spurrier said about Kiffin? It surely would have made a few headlines if thats what we're after.
You may be right, it may not have any negative impact on what happens here at all and then again it might. But why even take the chance? Publicity? That it somehow makes us relevant?
If we land a top ten class in 2010 it won't be because of this incident. I would say were more apt to lose one because of it than gain one.