Bye Bye Martha
Former Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: State of Confusion
In Martha's case (and others like it) I would be quite happy to see low sentences if the fines were higher (more commensurate with the monetary gains).
I think the idea of Ken Lay getting off easy is a tragedy not only of justice, but business ethics. I think the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is a step in the right direction as far as minimizing the sort of thing he got away with, but I think it's sad that we need laws and rules and reporting structures to make us act ethically...
I think the idea of Ken Lay getting off easy is a tragedy not only of justice, but business ethics. I think the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is a step in the right direction as far as minimizing the sort of thing he got away with, but I think it's sad that we need laws and rules and reporting structures to make us act ethically...
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by jedwards,Jul 16 2004, 02:18 PM
People forget that what she did was take peoples money. Steal from them.
A rich person who steals some working stiff's retirement money should get more that 5 months in a soft prison.
IMO.
A rich person who steals some working stiff's retirement money should get more that 5 months in a soft prison.
IMO.
I'm not saying what she did is right, but I'm pretty sure there are lots of people out there who's done much worse things, who are getting away with it.
And I agree with Brant, $30,000 is probably nothing, to her.
Former Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: State of Confusion
Well, IF the allegations of insider trading are true (I think they likely are...but I could be wrong) then she made a trade based on information that no other "average" stockholder had access to. If this is the case, then she had an unfair advantage.
In the stock market, everytime you make money someone else loses. That's part of the game and I don't have any particular pity on those that lose money on an average day. However, if another player in the game cheats to win the money, that's just wrong and those people should be punished severely...either with jail time or...my preference...monetarily...
In the stock market, everytime you make money someone else loses. That's part of the game and I don't have any particular pity on those that lose money on an average day. However, if another player in the game cheats to win the money, that's just wrong and those people should be punished severely...either with jail time or...my preference...monetarily...
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19,257
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From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by brantshali,Jul 16 2004, 02:32 PM
In Martha's case (and others like it) I would be quite happy to see low sentences if the fines were higher (more commensurate with the monetary gains).
I think the idea of Ken Lay getting off easy is a tragedy not only of justice, but business ethics. I think the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is a step in the right direction as far as minimizing the sort of thing he got away with, but I think it's sad that we need laws and rules and reporting structures to make us act ethically...
I think the idea of Ken Lay getting off easy is a tragedy not only of justice, but business ethics. I think the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is a step in the right direction as far as minimizing the sort of thing he got away with, but I think it's sad that we need laws and rules and reporting structures to make us act ethically...
I dunno, what drives me nuts about Ken Lay (and friends) is that they may end up going to prison, but even if they do, they'll probably come out as rich as ever. In the meantime, their victims aren't any better off because they aren't getting compensated at all, for the crime.
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: La Crescenta, CA
I think all you people are way, way off base. I think Martha's a fine, upstanding American who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think she's taken all of this abuse with unbelievable dignity that's completely in charecter for her. I think she's a true American hero who deserves our undivided support.
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From: Metro NYC
