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Class Envy Got Martha Stewart
RushLimbaugh.com ^ | 3-9-04 | Rush Limbaugh

Posted on 03/10/2004 8:28:00 AM PST by ConservativeStLouisGuy

RUSH: Let's go ahead and do this Martha Stewart business, and not get it out of the way, but I don't want to spend a whole lot of time on it because you have been inundated with it all weekend long. But here are just a couple of observations. Martha did not lie under oath. Bill Clinton did. Bill Clinton actually committed perjury before a federal judge. Now, Martha Stewart lied, but she didn't lie under oath in court. She didn't testify. What happened was, the FBI shows up, asked her some questions, they said you don't have to talk to us, but if you do, you'd better not lie to us, and she did. She told them some things, but this is where her problem comes in.

Martha Stewart is part of the New York, Hamptons, intelligentsia glitterati society set that championed people like Bill Clinton, and they saw what Clinton got away with, and they saw the different standards that set in when Clinton was in the White House. And they saw in themselves, I think, the chance to be on that same level. "Law enforcement just doesn't come after people like us," they say, "we get away with things like this, we are protected, we're too important," or what have you. And it has come to pass here that Martha Stewart's discovered that she's not, or was not, on the same level. And look at this. Martha Stewart saved $51,000, I mean she would have lost $51,000 had she just shut up and gone along with this whole thing and if she had just said she's sorry, all these things up front, "Yeah, I might have made a mistake, I didn't know I was making a mistake," any number of ways to handle this, but she had a stiff upper lip and hung tough.

In the meantime, Hillary Clinton made a hundred thousand dollars on real insider trading with the cattle futures. Martha Stewart could not possibly - and this is another problem she's got is this jury - the judge should have told this jury to shut up. This jury has made it plain they convicted her of things she wasn't charged with. She wasn't charged with insider trading and one of the reasons why is she's not capable of insider trading because she's not an insider. Insider trading is among market people. She's not, she was not literally qualified to be an insider and thus insider trading is not something - she wasn't charged with it anyway, and yet if you listen to some of these jurors that came out of there, “This is a victory for the little guy and our 401(k)s and our health care and our...” I just wanted to throw up. What do you mean your 401(k)s and your health care? This case had nothing to do with it. All Martha Stewart did was hire about 500 average little people who are now going to be in deep trouble because her company's been destroyed. And who destroyed her company? She didn't. She built it up from nothing. She may not have been a likable person to people, I don't know. But she sure is paying the price for not being one. She got convicted because she's a b-i-itch in people's minds because she wasn't friendly, because she's not nice to people, and this is a chance to take it out. This is a class envy verdict. The feds destroyed her business, she didn't. With all these charges and everything, they're the ones that have destroyed the business for Martha Stewart. But she's sitting around thinking this is not going to happen to her, she just can't fathom it happening to her, and part of it I think is because of the circle in which she runs.

Why did she get caught and the Clintons didn't? It's like I've always said to you people, don't try this stuff at home. Leave it to the professionals. Martha tried it on her own, she didn't tell the truth to the feds, and, you know, when you do that, you got to leave it to people who are professionals at it, like the Clintons. If you're going to lie to the feds, don't try it at home, let the pros that know how to get away with it all their lives like the Clintons do it - ill gotten information. Yeah, Hillary can do it, but, Martha, you can't, you are not Hillary, and you are not Bill. You leave this stuff to the pros. You know, she did build her business. She didn't use accounting tricks. She did deliver quality products. She worked and worked and worked, and that's all she did. And, yes, she probably is not the nicest person in the world to people, and she probably was persecuted at the same time. I'll tell you something else I don't think helped her and I don't know if you've heard, I don't know if anyone else has said this because, frankly, this is another one of those things after the first hour of coverage there wasn't anything more to learn. They had covered what the sentencing guidelines are and the rest of this weekend was just a devotion to the new 24/7 news cycle. But as I listened to the jurors that spoke, I was appalled. I was literally appalled.

These jurors had their own agenda in there. They heard what they wanted to hear. They saw what they wanted to see in many cases, and you have to understand who they are. In fact, jury deliberations on Friday were delayed because of a subway accident. These jurors rode the subway to court. They don't ride limousines. They don't ride in the back of big SUVs. They don't do anything that Martha Stewart does. If you live in New York and you read the tabloids every day, you quickly discover that there is a strata of society that is hip and "it," and then you discover that you aren't in it. And every day you read about how Martha and her friends are always doing something fabulous. They're either in the Hamptons, or they are at the top of the tallest building drinking champagne and wine or they are in St. Martin or they are in Connecticut at an arts and craft show, or they're at the latest movie opening, or they are somewhere really fabulous where the members of the jury don't get to go. Members of the jury are average Cretans compared to the beautiful set in New York. See, to the average New Yorker, the world is not Tina Brown, it's not Barry Diller, it is not all of these people whose names are typed in bold in the gossip columns along with Martha Stewart's. The world is what you heard these jurors talking about coming out of there. The world is where they get shafted because the big guys are having all the fun, getting rich and then making all the little guys pay for it with their 401K's and all this, and so I think it came down to one thing, though.

I think it came down to one thing. If Martha had not treated Douglas Faneuil like a pimple, she would have been okay, but when Faneuil, who already had the truth on his side, came in and talked about how mean she was to him, that fueled the conceptions that the jurors had for the kind of person she is and then the nature of the evidence was such that she had not told the truth. And if you believe Faneuil, as the prosecutor said, this trial is over, but you take the emotion out of it, or you give the emotion to the jurors and take it away from Martha, I just think there are so many cultural things to learn from this verdict because there are people who have done far worse. If you look at the Clinton years, folks. I mean stop and think of this. We're going to send her away. Forget whether you like her or not, why should it matter whether she's liked or not when it comes to justice and the law, why should it matter?

So here's a woman who, however she did it, did it on her own, builds her business, employs a lot of people, she brings products to the market that wouldn't otherwise be there in affordable stores for people, and it did really well because she sells a lot of stuff. I don't think she connected with her audience. I think she remained a distant figure, but nevertheless she had things that people liked and they bought them in droves. You go back and look at what they said, "She lied to the FBI," and now we've got all these people saying, "You do not lie to the government." Well, for crying out loud, we just came out of eight years of it, and Bill Clinton got away scot-free with doing so much more than this. And Hillary as well. And so I don't know whether there's a backlash against that or whether Martha thought that she was part of that and you couldn't blame her. I mean that is the crowd she ran in. Bill Clinton was her guy. She was doing fund-raisers for Clinton, and, you know, you cannot argue and dispute the notion that what happened in the late nineties with Clinton had to change the way the beautiful people looked at the way people like them are treated by the law. So there's a lot of things here to consider, but she's going to go to jail for 16 to 20 months.

She's not going to get a presidential pardon. Well, I don't know. That's not a bad idea. I hadn't thought about that, but barring that she's going to go to jail for 16 to 20 months and end up with a destroyed business, and you can take a look at people far more powerful than she will ever hope to be getting away with far, far more and being excused for it.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

RUSH: By the way, this jury, the jury getting even, for all little people getting screwed. Let's not forget all the little people that have invested in Martha Stewart's business, and are going to see the stock plummet now. A lot of little people getting hurt because of this jury. A lot of little people getting hurt. I mean, I'm not saying that's not a reason for the verdict, I'm just taking the words of some of these jurors. They were getting even for what's been done to the little guy. Well, this jury's got some culpability here in doing some damage to the little guy is all I'm saying. This class envy stuff, folks, is dangerous, dangerous stuff, and there's one political party out there pushing it. Here's Alex in Staunton, Virginia. Hi, Alex, welcome to the program.

CALLER: Mega dittos, Rush, happy to be on.

RUSH: Thank you.

CALLER: Die hard Republican, I actually have the Bush-Cheney '04 sticker on the back of my car, not like that woman from Friday. But the defense of Martha Stewart, both my wife and my father-in-law are stockbrokers and Martha Stewart was a stockbroker, has a series 7 license and the cardinal rule is you don't trade on inside information, and Martha violated that, and on top of that, Martha was a board member of the New York Stock Exchange. So she had a double responsibility to ethics in this and she broke those rules, and, you know, I've read a lot of defense of Martha in the conservative press and the Washington Times, et cetera, and I just flat out disagree with it. She got caught, she knew she was wrong.

RUSH: Wait a second, there's no conservative-liberal to this. And, by the way, I'm getting very suspicious here of all you people who call here and say I'm a registered Republican, I have a Bush-Cheney sticker on my car, just talk to us and we'll know whether you do or not. But I mean you people call here, I got a Bush-Cheney thing on my car, Bush sucks, Bush and Cheney are cheating everybody with Halliburton. Well, then why you got the thing on your car? You're not fooling us. Or me, anyway, with this talk of "I have a Bush-Cheney sticker on my car" and then launch into some stuff about the conservative media. That's just seminar caller get-up and I don't fall for it. Substance of your comment I will make in just a second. All right, here's the final Martha Stewart analysis. Given what she was charged with, and given what she got - she got what she got. That's what H.R. just told me, so there you have it.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: envy; marthastewart; rushlimbaugh
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Rush NAILED the whole Martha Stewart thing in yesterday's show....as always, right-on insights by the Maha Rushie...

FReegards,

- ConservativeStLouisGuy
1 posted on 03/10/2004 8:28:02 AM PST by ConservativeStLouisGuy
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
For a change Rush is short and sweet then moves on. He might cover 30 topics in ashow instad of 6 if he was as focused as he was ont hsi sotry. He is RIGHTm about the jurors and Martha should sue her stupid lawyer for never mentioning in the closing arguement that Martha can't be an insider.
2 posted on 03/10/2004 8:32:58 AM PST by q_an_a
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
I love Rush and everything but if the above is any example, he nailed NOTHING!

CALLER: Die hard Republican, I actually have the Bush-Cheney '04 sticker on the back of my car, not like that woman from Friday. But the defense of Martha Stewart, both my wife and my father-in-law are stockbrokers and Martha Stewart was a stockbroker, has a series 7 license and the cardinal rule is you don't trade on inside information, and Martha violated that, and on top of that, Martha was a board member of the New York Stock Exchange. So she had a double responsibility to ethics in this and she broke those rules, and, you know, I've read a lot of defense of Martha in the conservative press and the Washington Times, et cetera, and I just flat out disagree with it. She got caught, she knew she was wrong.

RUSH: Wait a second, there's no conservative-liberal to this. And, by the way, I'm getting very suspicious here of all you people who call here and say I'm a registered Republican, I have a Bush-Cheney sticker on my car, just talk to us and we'll know whether you do or not. But I mean you people call here, I got a Bush-Cheney thing on my car, Bush sucks, Bush and Cheney are cheating everybody with Halliburton. Well, then why you got the thing on your car? You're not fooling us. Or me, anyway, with this talk of "I have a Bush-Cheney sticker on my car" and then launch into some stuff about the conservative media. That's just seminar caller get-up and I don't fall for it. Substance of your comment I will make in just a second. All right, here's the final Martha Stewart analysis. Given what she was charged with, and given what she got - she got what she got. That's what H.R. just told me, so there you have it.

The caller made excellent points and Rush didn't respond to it at all. He just inserted a red herring argument and piled hyperbole on top of it. Might make interesting radio talk, but it is far from nailing the debate.

3 posted on 03/10/2004 8:37:04 AM PST by King Black Robe (With freedom of religion and speech now abridged, it is time to go after the press.)
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
Martha Stewart wasn't charged with or convicted of perjury.

Bill Clinton was not on trial in Martha Stewart's case.
4 posted on 03/10/2004 8:39:39 AM PST by alnick (Kerry is like that or so a crack sausage.)
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
I was listening to this exchange yesterday, and what I heard was Rush playing the class-envy card (used about as often as Jesse Jackson's race card).

The caller was absolutely correct. A stockbroker knows that insider trading is a violation of rule number one. And if she didn't know it was wrong, why did she lie to cover it up?

Unfortunately, the caller made the fatal decision to attempt to establish his conservative credentials (probably knowing this would be the first line of attack when Rush decided to slam him). A few seconds later, when Rush heard that the caller was going to actually disagree with him, it was all over. Forget the fact that the caller was right. Cut him off and go on the offensive.

Rush is generally right on the issues, but when he is wrong or when someone disagrees with him, he attacks. I, for one, get tired of his boorish behavior. That is why I have pretty much quit listening to him.
5 posted on 03/10/2004 8:44:15 AM PST by WayneM (Cut the KRAP (Karl Rove Amnesty Plan). Call your elected officials and say "NO!!")
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To: alnick
...Bill Clinton was not on trial in Martha Stewart's case.

More's the pity...

6 posted on 03/10/2004 8:44:28 AM PST by SAJ (t)
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To: King Black Robe
Once Rush realizes he has a seminar caller he dispatches them pretty quickly.
7 posted on 03/10/2004 8:45:09 AM PST by evad (Cut taxes again. Cut spending. Cut Guv Regulations. Cut Guv Programs...Repeat)
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To: King Black Robe
Duck and run for cover!
8 posted on 03/10/2004 8:45:21 AM PST by WayneM (Cut the KRAP (Karl Rove Amnesty Plan). Call your elected officials and say "NO!!")
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
Mr Limbaugh will win even more friends with this one. Even those who love to see the mighty, 'er high and mighty, take a tumble. I hope they take Rush's points carefully- these points will stand scrutiny.I posted previously on FR as a MINORITY in a poorly put, but similiar vein, like the El-Rushbo.

I said liberal spouse and I finally agreed on something, re skewed justice. I thought to put the money where the mouth is. Yep, in Canada it is SEARS that carries Martha products- I footed the bill and we PURCHASED products- ahem, modestly though. 25% off. Hey, this is good stuff, these items.

Free Martha.

9 posted on 03/10/2004 8:45:28 AM PST by Peter Libra
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To: Mrs Zip; BOBWADE
ping
10 posted on 03/10/2004 8:46:00 AM PST by zip
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To: evad
I've heard these callers, and I would almost bet my next paycheck that this guy was not one of them.
11 posted on 03/10/2004 8:50:49 AM PST by WayneM (Cut the KRAP (Karl Rove Amnesty Plan). Call your elected officials and say "NO!!")
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy; newgeezer
Rush impresses me less and less. OK he's right that she got screwed and it is a case of class envy. Beyond that he'd just yacking. He doesn't know what she was thinking and he's arrogant for suggesting that he does.

"~The persuit of money is the source of all good~" Rush.

12 posted on 03/10/2004 8:51:37 AM PST by biblewonk (I must try to answer all bible questions.)
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
One thing I will disagree with regarding Rush's analysis on Martha.

He said that she lied and that was her downfall. He also commented that she should have left the lying to the professionals, alluding to the Clintons who would instinctively know to say something like "I don't remember".

The part I disagree with is that there is conclusive proof that she lied at all. Other than that I would agree that he "nailed it" right on.

This whole episode again strenghtens my belief that the last place an innocent person want to find themselves is at the trial stage of our justice system.

13 posted on 03/10/2004 8:52:31 AM PST by evad (Cut taxes again. Cut spending. Cut Guv Regulations. Cut Guv Programs...Repeat)
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To: WayneM
I would almost bet my next paycheck that this guy was not one of them.

You could be right but the point is, Rush thought he was. Therefore, he get's the bum's rush.

14 posted on 03/10/2004 8:55:23 AM PST by evad (Cut taxes again. Cut spending. Cut Guv Regulations. Cut Guv Programs...Repeat)
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To: King Black Robe
I disagreed with every point Rush made in defense of Martha. His comment that lying to the FBI was okay as long as she wasn't under oath was just disgraceful.

He blames the jurors for not being of the elite class.....therefore.....WHAT, THEY'RE TOO DUMB TO KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG?

15 posted on 03/10/2004 9:00:01 AM PST by OldFriend (Always understand, even if you remain among the few)
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
So now we're going to hear, "Usually I agree with Rush, but Martha should be sewed up in a bag and beaten with two by fours..."
16 posted on 03/10/2004 9:00:54 AM PST by claudiustg (Go Sharon! Go Bush!)
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To: WayneM
The caller was absolutely correct. A stockbroker knows that insider trading is a violation of rule number one. And if she didn't know it was wrong, why did she lie to cover it up?

  Martha Stewart wasn't an insider at ImClone. She did not have inside information at ImClone. This is why she was not charged with insider trading.

  Now, the SEC is going after her in civil court on insider trading - but wait until you hear their theory on the case. Stewart knew that Waksal was selling shares, because her broker told her. That is market information - not insider information. It is legal to trade on market information. However, the SEC contends that, on hearing Waksal was selling, Stewart inferred that the FDA was rejecting the application on Erbitux - which is insider information. So, under this theory, if you guess at insider information, you are guilty of insider trading.

  As to why she lied to cover it up... I certainly have no particular insight, but I'd theorize she figured the feds were out to get her and make her an example. So she wanted to make sure they didn't get anything. The mere fact that she hadn't necessarily done anything illegal is far from a refuge.

  And, of course, it's very hard to be sure she really did lie during those interviews, as we have only sketchy notes and agent recollections to go by. If lying during an investigation is illegal, I wish the investigators were required to record those conversations.

Drew Garrett

17 posted on 03/10/2004 9:09:16 AM PST by agarrett
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
"And who destroyed her company? She didn't. She built it up from nothing. She may not have been a likable person to people, I don't know. But she sure is paying the price for not being one. She got convicted because she's a b-i-itch in people's minds because she wasn't friendly, because she's not nice to people, and this is a chance to take it out."

Hogwash. Rush getting a little nervous?

18 posted on 03/10/2004 9:14:50 AM PST by Endeavor (Don't count your Hatch before it chickens)
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
I think there is a general desire on the part of us little people to see some of the privledged class get what a little guy would get in the same circumstances.

Bernie Ebbers et al are next.

Is there a double standard compared to the Clintons. Yeah, get over it. They are not in office any more.
19 posted on 03/10/2004 9:14:53 AM PST by Pylot
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To: OldFriend
You called it correctly.
20 posted on 03/10/2004 9:16:14 AM PST by Endeavor (Don't count your Hatch before it chickens)
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