Remember the old saying, How hard the mighty have fallen? It seems appropriate in relation to Martha Stewart.
I have been halfheartedly following this story for months now. Not overly intersted for a long time, then becomeing very curious with all the hype. We, the people seem to love it when someone rich and famous falls or stumbles.
Perhaps in this case people seem to relish the idea that the epitomy of household bliss has tripped and bloodied her nose. Its hard when the rest of us slug our butts out every day trying to eek out a living and build lives - while someone who was just like us, builds a billion dollar company doing what we hate to do - and does a damn fine job of it.
Yes, if Martha broke the law she needs to take her lumps. Doesn't it say somewhere that the punishment needs to fit the crime?
I am confused though, and wondering why all the hype. I understand that insider trading is illegal. I understand that this crime is taken very seriously. What I don't understand is why there again seems to be a different response for different people.
Factiva lists 29,916 references to Martha Stewart in the past two years. Kenneth Lay, the former CEO of Enron, gets 21,057 references. Dennis Kozlowski, the former Tyco CEO who lifted a tidy $600-million from his company, is mentioned 9,317 times. And Mr. Waksal, the man at the heart of the ImClone scandal, is cited a mere 6,745 times. (Factiva.com, the Dow Jones/Reuters database of more than 8,000 news outlets in 118 countries). MICHAEL DEN TANDT
I do think that Martha Stewart is an easy target. We wrap ourselves in indignation, pointing a finger and clucking that she lied so she needs to be punished. If she is guilty, then she takes her lumps, but should we be dishing it out to her with such relish? Lies seem to roll off the lips of many people these days. Nation leaders lie with ease, over and over and when caught, they say Oops Sorry. I think we really need to get some perspective on this issue and remember that she is innocent until proven guilty; then the punishment should fit the crime, and should reflect the norm in society. What was that baseline norm again?
Anyone who lives in Ontario has heard of the Holly Jones case. The 10 year girl who was abducted, and her dismembered body was found a day later. I did not say Raped, because that information has not been released to the public yet; however, the police are investigating all known sex offenders in the area.
The incredible news from this horrible crime is that there are over 200 registered sex offenders in that area. Unbelievable. When I heard this of course I wanted to find out how safe my own neighbourhood is. Except, this information is available to police only, and only if they check the registry, and only if the offender registers, and only if the offender is from Ontario. (other provinces do not have a registry yet)
The hue and cry has again gone up for a National Registry. Again, we sweet people are only asking that police have access to it. For once I envy our American neighbours.
At kspsor.state.ky.us/SORRelatedSites.htm you will find a listing of the American registry's listed by State and how to access them.
Yesterday a block from where Holly lived, another little 6 boy was almost abducted. The vigillance of his mother was the only thing that saved him, she looked back at the child just in time to see him being led away by a man. After she screamed the man ran off leaving the boy behind.
Canada has now agreed that we need some kind of national registry - one that will be available to police only. The haggling has begun over how serious the crime must be to get your name on the list.
Some towns are now publishing the names of johns who are convicted in their areas, but we still refuse to let parents know the name of convicted dangerous sex offenders living on their streets? Perhaps this needs to be an election issue.
The Canadian Centre for missing Children is here : www.victimsofviolence.on.ca/ They also have a lot of tips on how to keep your child safe, as well as discussion on current issues.