This just in. At a news conference at her offices today, Martha finally took the reins and rose above the fray, stating that she would take jail over waiting out her appeal.
"I cannot bear any longer the prolonged suffering while I and my people await vindication in the next step of the legal process"
The legal process is endless. The appeal seems to have become so delayed that it would not be heard until sometime next year. Thank goodness Martha is going to be able to turn off the tap of lawyer's fees, which must make bill paying painful each month.
Interestingly, we have become much more mixed in our opinions of Martha in the past month since we have had a number of engaging conversations with clients about her plight. Clearly she is head strong and made some stupid mistakes, but she is also getting slammed for much smaller infractions than a number of corporate leaders have gotten away with lately.
She has been a professional inspiration to many women and puts out damn good products with great style.
We tend to think that people get what they ask for, and Martha has asked for a lot, including trouble. We also tend to be optimistic and predict that Martha will not only come through this, she will be better for it. We would buy her stock now while its low. MGR
This sn't an original opinion, but one worth restating: martha Stewart was picked on because of her name. If the same steps were taken to bring down an anonymous corporate CEO, the news coverage would have been substantially less.
By going after Martha the prosecution was able to put a face on the problem in order to bring attention to it. I can't see Martha Stewart's plight being much of a deterrant. CEO's will still be as crooked as they think they can get away with. Especially if it means making, or saving, millions of dollars.
Whole-heartedly agree with Gil. Martha's punishment does not fit "the crime". I keep thinking of the Enron higher-ups who robbed so many of their OWN financial futures, and the "questionable" actions of Martha don't even come close.