THAT'S A GOOD THING!

Martha Stewart got to be a very wealthy woman by lecturing the nation on proper domestic behavior. That fact alone makes her early-March conviction on federal obstruction-of-justice charges succulently amusing. Tempting as it may be to view the Stewart trial only as a morality play, we must acknowledge the larger issues at play here: the integrity of the justice system and the accountability of publicly traded corporations. Some of Marthaís supporters will argue that federal prosecutors needlessly threw the book at their hero, and that she was an attractive target because of her high profile. Theyíll also suggest that any prison sentence she might receive is too harsh. Well, Iím here to tell ya that theyíre doubly wrong!

Those who intentionally mislead investigators assault the very foundation of our criminal justice system. If lying to investigators carried no consequences, the result would be more corruption and crime. Stewartís conviction sends the message that the rich and powerful can't always break the rules with exemption from punishment.

Furthermore, publicly-traded companies depend on the good will of investors like you and me. When the elite knowingly profit from insider info, they abuse that trust and they abuse the system itself. While Stewartís conviction does not do away with the need for the government to pursue more outrageously bad or reprehensible instances of corporate corruption, it should prompt other titans of business to be more heedful of the consequences related to taking care of their personal friends and associates. As Stewart herself was fond of saying so damned smugly, that's a good thing.

Specifically in response to your second paragraph, are we to infer that you are similarly outraged at the acquittal of President Clinton when he lied under oath during the Lewinsky scandal that led to his impeachment?

Didn't President Clinton assault the very same foundation of our criminal justice system? Should he not suffer legal consequences for his untruths?

Clintonís acquittal sends the message that the rich and powerful (and some politicians) CAN always break the rules with exemption from punishment.