GUILTY

[Catsmeow]

The main problem I have with her is that she doesn't understand what she did wrong.

[nebula]

so..... i'm curious about what everyone else thinks regarding the verdicts?

I'm going to stick my nose into thread and say a couple things:

One - I'm tired of celebrity trials. I wish they'd just leave the daily rumbles alone, let the courts do their jobs, and then release the verdicts. This would make life 95% easier on the jurors who basically have to live a sheltered life so they aren't influenced by the media coverage. (And that's only one reason for my belief in this.)

2 - Just by the look of her countenance I can only say that woman is in serious need of Jesus!

[artsylady]

Imagine being in her shoes for a moment. Your stock broker calls you and says 'your stock is going to plummet. You'll lose 50 million by tomorrow morning if you don't sell. So what do you want to do?'.

Imagine how hard it would be to say 'No, don't sell!"? I think it would take an enormous amount of restraint - even for a Christian. imo.

[traveller]

Having compassion for someone doesn't mean they're let off from wrong doing. I don't have contempt for her or anyone, but breaking the law is breaking the law. It doesn't matter how hard a thing is to resist, if it's wrong. If compassion were the only factor then all the prisons would be empty. Do we let off our children when they run across a busy street without looking because we've done the same thing in the past? Will that teach them not to do that again?

Like I said before, this could be a way to get her attention. Sometimes God slows us down, so we'll focus on Him.

[papasangel]

She broke the law yes. People who had their retirements taken by schemes like this tend to be a bit emphatic about seeing someone pay for the crime. I agree she should be punished but then again so should all those execuitives from Enron etc that have been caught. People place their money in these ventures knowing that maybe they will lose that money but the potential gain outwieghs the risk they take. Its all risk. You are placing your money in someone else's hands and they are not as constrained as you would be. After all these brokers make money on trades and its not their money is it. Its heart braking to see an older couple who invest their life's savings into these schemes and loose them. All they are trying to do is protect their right to a comfortable retirement. They are the victims I feel sorry for. Now you see elderly people who have been scammed having to take jobs as greeters at Walmart etc or even short order cook just to make ends meet barely. You see them having to choose as to wether to buy medicine or food or pay the rent. Its heartbreaking and wrong. Our country and the world is founded by our elders. Their work brings the country to where it is today.

We need to protect people from investment scams like this. If it takes prison time then so be it. Not to be a smart aleck or anything old Martha will probally redecorate the place in no time at all. Add insult to injury and make her pay back moneys lost by investors. Her and her broker should be held responsible.

[Guest LadyC]

If there really is a problem with crowded jails and because of that, they are letting pedophiles and murderers go because of this, I would certainly rather see Martha free than any pedophile. Whether or not this is a real issue, i don't know.

the vast majority of pedophiles and murderers are tried at a state level. they never see the inside of a federal prison, and certainly not the prison facility that houses white collar criminals.

rest assurred, not one single violent criminal will be let out because of overcrowding based on martha's conviction.

[other one]

Have you ever sinned and knew you were sinning when you did it?

Yes, and I don't believe I should be given any slack until I admit it and ask for forgiveness

Let me ask you this: Have you ever sold a vehicle

[Catsmeow]

I know she will be punished. One way or the other...but I remember the adulteress being chased in the streets by an angry mob.

The Pharisees, eager to see her stoned, asked Jesus what they should do.

Jesus never once said she was innocent. He didn't say she didn't deserve punishment...

What He did do is show people how none of us are in much of a position to cast stones, considering our own faults.

I'm so overwhelmed my my own faults and lack of virtue, I can't spend much time oogling over someone else's sin.

I guess I'm all too aware of my own.

My only hope for Martha isn't that she get's justice. I hope she finds freedom and forgiveness.

Personally, I so glad God isn't always JUST...but rather merciful. Because if I got what I deserved I'd be on my way to hell. God has chosen to be merciful and spare me what I really deserve.

Martha may be famous but right now she looks like any other human being who's frightened and alone.

[Guest LadyC]

cats, with all due respect, i don't think anyone here is like the angry mob that wanted to stone the prostitute. none of us i don't think really wants to see her do the max sentence. we just don't want her to get off with no consequence at all. if such a high profile case with a celebrity, one who has been a role model for women for decades, gets off without any punishment, then she sets the precedent and is a role model for getting off the hook for anyone who commits a similar crime.

[traveller]

Yeah - that's what I mean too.