Posted 9/29/2010

WHY MARTHA STEWART SHOULD BE VERY ANGRY

When Martha was investigated by the Feds over the issue of selling stock based on insider information, she allegedly told a fib or two. When the case against her fell apart for lack of evidence, the Feds went after her on a charge of "lying to Federal Investigators."

Martha was charged, tried and sentenced to 10 months in the pokey. Just for telling a fib or two.

What must she think now in reading about the current FBI scandal? A scandal that involves more than lying.

It seems that between 2009 and January 2010, FBI agents were tested to determine how well they understood the law and the rules governing surveillance of American citizens. At the end of the test, all were required to certify that they had taken the test without any help from anyone.

But a great number of them cheated by using their computers, crib sheets and software that contained both the test questions and answers. Yet they "certified" they had taken the test without help.

In other words, they lied. They lied to federal investigators. And they cheated on top of lying.

Making matters worse, several supervisors were caught lying and cheating on the exam.

What they did was far worse than anything Martha allegedly did.

So how long are these people going to serve in prison?

It appears they are not going to go to jail at all.

It appears that they are not even going to be fired.

Instead, the FBI is being instructed to review its testing procedures and "hold those involved accountable."

Nobody is demanding prosecution for "lying to federal investigators" – a felony.

Nobody is outraged that these cheaters and liars are not being held to a higher standard. Instead, it appears that FBI investigators are above the law.

Some of you may remember the good old days when government workers were called "Public Servants" and got paid less than the rest of us.

But now government workers are called Public Officials and make twice as much as the rest of us.

Now we are the servants – even though we pay the bills.

To realize how far we have fallen, just consider this: If the Feds could bring down a powerful person like Martha Stewart for something as flimsy as fibbing, what could they do to you and me?

I consulted an attorney about this.

He gave me one piece of advice which I pass on to you:

If you are ever investigated by the Feds, SAY NOTHING. Absolutely nothing.

Then get a lawyer and let him do the talking. There is no federal penalty for your silence.

At least not yet.

As Martha would say, "That's a good thing."

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