Free Marfa!

Sometimes, no, oft times, American Jurisprudence eludes me. I wish someone would take the thirty seconds to explain what Martha Stewart did that was so heinous, so destructive that she should be removed from public sight.

My theory is this: It's Leona Helmsley all over again.

Leona was admittedly a really 'ballsy broad.' I really admired that about her, though. I grew up with her ads for such mythical places as the Helmsley Harley Hotel, and seeing the "Queen of Mean" expounding about her hatred of shoddy hotel experiences. The classic, which haunts me to this day, and has on more than one occasion labeled me a snob is "I wouldn't drink form plastic. Why should you?" There was a photograph with a picture of Mrs Harry's quaffed head slightly askew holding a polished glass tumbler.

Leona, Martha--they are probably cut from the same cloth, although Martha is probably a 300 count cotton and Leona a nice silk damask. Admittedly, they have probably been unkind to a person or two along the line, but really people...Who hasn't? We've all lashed out at a person or two along the way, but notoriety drives wronged people to the National Enquirer and the like. Famous people get Lifetime - Television for women (and gay men) specials. In short, the entire world knows efficiently and quickly that Martha (Mizzz Stewart to you!) once dared to criticize a staffer for opening bottles of expensive wine needlessly.

So, what is the sin? Wanting things to be right? Okay, with Leona there was that tax evasion thing but all in all, she was a woman with vision and the means to achieve it. She falls in the same category as the Oprah Winfreys of the world, though probably not as nice in the grand scheme. That's ok. Success often breeds arrogance, and the two make wonderful bedfellows.

Once again, I ask--what is this turrible thing that she's done? My contention is she has been shafted by American society that desires so to vilify the successful woman. It's not right.