[billbears]

Remember, before the trial she was offered a chance to plead guilty and pay a fine. She refused. This is her fault, not the government's.

No it's the government's fault for prosecuting such a senseless 'crime'. Stewart didn't do anything a normal person would have done in that case. Yes, admittedly she probably covered it up but she doesn't deserve jail time for it.

[Howlin]

Good to see you standing by your moral principles and advocating situational ethics.

[nopardons]

Oh really? But " normal " people would NEVER have been given an " insider " tip and though I usually view people harshly, I doubt that most would commit criminal acts, given the chance to.

But, coming from YOU, especially, what part of no force and fraud libertarianism, makes it okay to commit FRAUD now? :-)

[Miss Marple]

Martha Stewart is not a normal person. She was a stockbroker, and knew quite well the rules on insider trading.

Even after she was caught, she was offered a plea bargain which only involved a fine and a suspended sentence, and she refused.

Apparently you think that she is to be forgivien because she is a woman and famous. That isn't how the law is supposed to work.

I find it interesting that you, who have been on this forum for years ranting about how Bush is privileged and gets breaks, are suddenly supporting Martha Stewart. It is amazing that you have decided that she is being persecuted. One might think that your motive is simply to disagree with anything the Bush Administration has done. When the Enron people are on trial, will you support them as well?