Two views on Martha.(Letters To The Editor)(Letter to the Editor)

"The Last Word" commentary is normally on target with orthodox conservative thought, but "Straining at Gnats, Swallowing Camels" (March 8 issue) by Mr. William Norman Grigg was an exception. Going libertarian and wobbly on Martha Stewart is something I would not have anticipated in THE NEW AMERICAN.

We are all rightfully outraged at the justice system's failure to deal effectively with Joseph P. Smith and like child molesters but that is irrelevant to the Martha Stewart case, which in no way affects bringing violent criminals to justice. Subsequent actions by the SEC and the stock exchanges indicate how serious insider trading is and how vital investor confidence is to the world of high finance.

Martha Stewart is a triumph of new ideas and hard work in the American way but her wealth and celebrity status, apparently, led her to believe that she was above the law. If there is a mitigating factor in her favor it is the example of her friend Bill Clinton, for whom she raised large sums of money and whose wrongdoings she defended at every opportunity. As we know Clinton repeatedly got away with violating the law. Stewart's problems stem from her failure to recognize that Clinton's departure left her vulnerable.

The prosecution ...