[dwilli]

I cannot see any gain from this woman doing prison time. The government needs money more than the self-satisfaction of putting her behind bars,

Fine her 25, 50 million,whatever amount of dollars and years of community service.

[Miss Marple]

Federal sentencing guidelines are rather strict. Attorney on Fox this morning said depending on her pre-sentencing review, she will get 10-24 months. This is not something that can be mitigated by the judge. The only thing that would keep her from going to prison would be a presidential pardon, and I think the odds of that are slim to none.

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.

[longtermmemmory]

Does the judge have discretion? He may not have a choice.

The really really stupid thing is that if she disgourged teh 50k she would ahve had a slap on the wrist and her life.

The judge may have no choice.

Stewart was convicted by her own arrogance.

Keep in mind, anyone else who would be likewise conviceted would 100% go to jail not "mercy".

[Buffalo Head]

"I cannot see any gain from this woman doing prison time. The government needs money........."

Get serious! Justice was dealt to someone who lied to federal officials to cover up illegal activities. Your reasoning is similar to those who defended William Jefferson Clinton.

"It's just about sex", "It's just about money", etc. Shame on you.

[leadpenny]

What's that old saying about meeting the same people on the way down as you met going up?

She met the jury.

[from occupied ga]

The government needs money more than the self-satisfaction of putting her behind bars,

The "government" is made up of people who need self satisfaction. In fact the reason they're into government work is that it's not terribly challenging, gives good job security (after all if you're in private industry and what you're doing is't popular, you go out of business. If you're in government work and what you're doing isn't popular, then you just raise taxes some more and send your JBTs to collect the cash) Generally speaking government bureaucrats are very much into self satisfaction. Going after Martha Stewart was totally an ego an publicity move.

It was a pretty sure thing too, because most New Yorkers are the among the most envious and jealous of Americans. Proof you ask? Their culture is one of envy. They relentlessly elect liberal democrats who run on the politics of envy.

[cynicom]

Prison time for non violent crime has always been for a deterrent value. It is her fault she is in this position, no one else's.

[RichardW]

I disagree. Modeling those orange jump suits is very important to these high rollers. They actually fear going to prison, much more than common pedestrian criminals. I've seen those clowns actually laughing and cutting up when they are paraded around in chains. Martha won't be laughing.

[camas]

no one is suppose to be above the law, not even a rich bit#h. let her do the time.

[devane617]

I say fine her 25-50 mil and send her to prison. She did the crime, had an opportunity to plead to a lesser charge and do no time. She continued her lying pompous ways until she got what she deserved.

[SarahW]

I hate to see her doing more time than OJ.

She's a meanie, and a liar, but I can't see that the thing she lied about doing was any great crime against the "little guy". The stock in question is doing just fine, for one thing.

I think she ought to get a suspended sentence at the most. Community service might save her stinking soul.

[Justin714]

So you're saying that if someone breaks the law and they have enough money they can be spared from doing time in prison?
Imagine what would happen if you and I are found guilty of the same crimes Martha committed.
Break the law, do the time...simple as that.

[Hank Rearden]

The government needs money more than the self-satisfaction of putting her behind bars

I can't believe you posted this. Regardless of Martha Stewart, Big Stupid Government needs a swift kick in the @ss, not more money.

[Indie]

Fine millionaires because they can afford it and make all of us average family folk go to jail??
I don't think so Scooter. Fine her AND put her in jail.

[Polybius]

I cannot see any gain from this woman doing prison time. The government needs money more than the self-satisfaction of putting her behind bars, Fine her 25, 50 million,whatever amount of dollars and years of community service.

The issue involved is company CEO's and Wall Street honchos having a Good Ole Boys and Girls Club where they use illegal inside information to make money they don't need any more of at the expense of unsuspecting Mom and Pop investors such the rest of us.

Martha Stewart, a billionaire, used illegal inside information to sell stock she knew was going to tank to some poor schmuck who was not in the Club. She saved $52,000 or, as she boasted in an interview, .0006% of her net worth.

In order to save .0006% of her net worth, she illegally sold that stock to some unsuspecting persons to whom $52,000 most likely meant quite a lot.

The testimony revelead that she later bragged, "Isn't it nice to have a broker that will do that (break the law) for you."

If you or I illegally swindled $52,000 from another person or persons, we would go to jail. So should Martha Stewart. Maybe not for 20 years but just long enough to demonstrate that there is not one set of laws for the Good Ole Boys and Girls Club and a second set of laws for the rest of us.