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Keep Marion Jones in Prison

The president should not commute the disgraced Olympian's sentence. Her precipitous fall sends a chilling—and essential—message to our athletes.

By Mark Starr | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jul 24, 2008 | Updated: 9:47  a.m. ET Jul 24, 2008

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  • Posted By: frotwenty @ 07/26/2008 6:20:41 AM

    Comment: I think a more "cynical and destructive message" young people get from all of this, is the double standard about drugs. How is it that people still try to condemn and criticize (illegal) drugs when there is some pharmaceutical company's latest creation appearing every five minutes on TV, (or in magazine ads)? Oh, that's right. Drugs are bad if you enjoy them, or if corporate America isn't getting a cut. Keep telling you're 8 year old how bad drugs are while you hand her a a couple of ritalin.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/26/2008 3:47:40 PM

      Comment: ...or asprin, lets throw out all drugs. They must all be bad, right? Its not a double standard. Using an analogy of someone giving ritalin to an 8yr old, thats a whole other problem.

      • Posted By: frotwenty @ 07/28/2008 3:36:13 PM

        Comment: So a drug like steroids, which has both positive and negative effects on a person's body is different than a drug like advair, which also effects the body both positively and negatively? Why, because one is legal? I've seen a commercial for asthma medication that actually listed "asthma-related death" as a potential side-effect.

        Bottom line: if a person is willing to accept the risks to their health, who cares what they take?

  • Posted By: mrzoid @ 07/25/2008 9:40:15 PM

    Comment: The only issue is the dangerous precident that the president created when he pardoned Scooter Libby. Now every person who perjured themselves can look at Libby and say, "was my offense any worse than your friends Mr. President?".

  • Posted By: Tri123usc @ 07/25/2008 3:04:44 PM

    Comment: To Crucestodd's comment......relax......careful the way you throw out "racially motivated"....You have zero proof...zero eveidence...and have no basis for your comments.....the YOU need...is ignorrance.

    • Posted By: crucestodd @ 07/26/2008 10:12:06 AM

      Comment: You, then, are exposed as a mindless minion of the racist and hateful one that some call "Bush."

  • Posted By: crucestodd @ 07/25/2008 1:55:30 PM

    Comment: This woman is, truly, America's sweet victim. Persecuted by the mindless minions of the racist and hateful one that some call "Bush," Ms. Jones stands as a shining testament to all that is right with America. Her prosecution was racially motivated, and those who brought these charges should themselves be tried for hate crimes against this proud woman of color!

    • Posted By: rec19724u @ 07/29/2008 12:25:17 PM

      Comment: I am an African American woman who is strongly against your statement that Ms. Jones prosecution was racially motivated, I mean let's face it, she lied..
      She was givin ample time to be honest and yet she chose to lie under oath, as a black woman, I am so tired of something as simple as honesty being turned into a racial issue (Now to all of you who simply are racists, and think that I'm eliminating the fact that there are instances where racism does exist, YOU DO NOT HAVE MY SUPPORT) Let me just reiterate, everything does not have to be a race issue, in this case, it is moral issue, she wasn't honest

      • Posted By: ambassador314 @ 07/30/2008 10:56:23 PM

        Comment: The President and his cabinet lied about Iraq and cost thousands of men and women their lives. Are they going to jail?

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/26/2008 3:42:38 PM

      Comment: Wow, your an idiot.

    • Posted By: sregis @ 07/25/2008 2:52:40 PM

      Comment: jones, herself, begs to differ.

  • Posted By: nobles45 @ 07/25/2008 11:42:06 AM

    Comment: I would find it laughable if it weren't so sad that an insignificant athelete goes to jail and karl Rove and Scooter Libby are free of consequences for possibly endangering the life of Valerie Plame. What they did was plain treason! These are people that run and jump etc.. Nothing more and nothing less. If children or adults idolize and look up to these people as examples of how to live then that's their problem not the athelete.

    • Posted By: archmsu @ 07/25/2008 1:54:40 PM

      Comment: Valerie Plame was never in danger. She wasn't a spy, she was a reseacher!

  • Posted By: jroc @ 07/25/2008 11:22:14 AM

    Comment: Having Marion Jones in prison will not save the sport nor will it stop people from cheating to get ahead in sports. I find it funny that she should be put away but the companys that keep giving these athletes these products as well as the coaches and the rest of these organizations never seem to suffer. So what sport aren' they cheating in ummmmm lets see track, biking, baseball. She is done fine and leave her alone and go after the people behind the bull!!

  • Posted By: Maat @ 07/25/2008 9:37:29 AM

    Comment: Using Marion Jones as a means to end is immoral. It cannot be a reason for keeping her in jail. The only reason that could support such a statement is upholding the rule of law.

  • Posted By: ambassador314 @ 07/25/2008 9:25:33 AM

    Comment: To suggest that prison is a fitting place for Marion Jones is just plain foolishness. This woman has lost everything. She has had to endure public humiliation, is broke and now has to explain to her children what has happened. Prison? What horrific crime did she commit? She lied and cheated and has now had to face the public. There are far more deserving athletes that belong in prison and not to just prove a point to children about playing fair. Prison should never be used as a tool to teach children about fairness. As a parent I have yet to come upon a circumstance that I needed to use the institution of prison as a teaching tool to my children. Prison, to my knowledge is supposed to be used as a teaching tool to the individuals that have been deemed unfit to be rehabilitated or conform to the rules of society. Prison is not something that should be carelessly applied to "teach someone a lesson." As I said there are far more deserving athletes, politicians and CEO's that should be in prison for what they have done to the American public whether it be through lies or criminal activities. Marion Jones will hopefully find a quiet and peaceful life to raise her children in relative anonymity far away from the sporting world that she is viewed as a pariah. If we are to use prison as a tool to deter our children from "playing fair", then why don't we just have a public execution of her in times square and be done with it.

    • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/25/2008 4:29:31 PM

      Comment: YOU ARE AWARE THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SUPPORT THE AMERICAN OLYMPIC TEAMS TO THE TUNE OF CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR!...........................SHE WAS AN OLYMPIC ATHLETE FOR AT LEAST 8 YRS...................................SHE IS A THIEF AND A LIAR AS WELL AS A CONTRIBUTER TO THE CULTURE OF DRUGS THAT WILL BE HER CHILDRENS LEGACY.............................THAT BEING SAID, ALL PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS AND THEROPIES SHOULD BE LEGAL AND AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO ARE WILLING TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE.......................THEN WE ARE BACK AT A TRUELY EVEN PLAYING FIELD AGAIN................OTHERWISE ALL WE KNOW OR SUSPECT IS THAT THE ONE'S THAT CHECK OUT FOUND A DRUG THAT IS PURGIBLE IN TIME TO BE TESTED!...................P.S. MARION IF YOU ARE LISTENING..........................MARRY ME! ..............LOL!

  • Posted By: brushwerx @ 07/25/2008 9:05:54 AM

    Comment: - More of America's simplistic, petty "lock 'em up and throw away the key" intolerance". She cheated in a sport and lied about it ... wooooh, scary ... oh yeah, she better do time. This is why America has a prison population bigger than some states. - Idiocy!

  • Posted By: ambassador314 @ 07/25/2008 8:30:16 AM

    Comment: For you to suggest that keeping Marion Jones in prison will somehow teach athletes anything is sheer foolishness. She has lost everything, and had to face the nation and admit that she had lied and cheated. She has lost her medal, she is broke, and has been publicly humiliated. Prison is a place for criminals that cannot be rehabilitated in any other manner other than removing them from society. She is a mother and has to explain to her children what she has done. No parent wants to face their children and tell them that they are a cheat and a liar. Prison is over the top, and there are a lot more deserving athletes, politicians and CEO's that belong there. Especially these CEO's and politicians that defraud the American public out of so much more than their sentiments for the sanctity of fair play in sports. To suggest that keeping Marion Jones in prison is serving any good for any purpose, or to any person is just plain foolishness. There is something wrong with how we raise our children if we need to use prison as a teaching tool.

  • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 07/24/2008 11:39:58 PM

    Comment: She had ice water in her veins to so brazenly cheat and bask in the Olympics glory that belonged to other athletes. A big fraud, a huge disappointment, and her race is immaterial.

    • Posted By: TheVigil @ 07/25/2008 12:17:26 AM

      Comment: I think what you mean to say is "shame on her for getting caught when the other ones didn't"?

  • Posted By: MV Otter @ 07/24/2008 11:16:03 PM

    Comment: Marion Jones goes to prison for steroids and Scooter Libby is a free man after being accomplice to exposing a CIA agent in the scenario that started the Iraq War .... WHAT A COUNTRY!

  • Posted By: MV Otter @ 07/24/2008 11:13:33 PM

    Comment: Marion Jones goes to prison and Scooter Libby is a free man ... WHAT A COUNTRY!!!!!!

  • Posted By: buttress @ 07/24/2008 10:44:06 PM

    Comment: Why is an African-American woman the face of the drug scandals for you? Given the representation of women in geberal, and African-American women particularly, in the press I think it's shameful that you chose this woman to reflect whatever beliefs you have about drugs and sports.
    Nice to know she was kind and friendly to you on an airplane.
    Oh My GOd! What a betrayel you felt!
    How dare you - how DARE you- even mention someones prison sentence, never mind write a column asking that the President not commute that sentence.
    Never mind the adage of walking in someone's shoes before passing judgement; you don't deserve to eat her dust.


    • Posted By: reisbergsgal @ 07/25/2008 4:09:32 PM

      Comment: Would you feel better if she were a white man? Would you still want her (him) in jail? I'm a black woman and I don't feel like Marion Jones is being singled out because she's black- she's being singled out because she was in history as one of the greatest athletes (Note: I did not say FEMALE athletes) of all time. To find out that someone with such a history is actually a fraud is major. She fits the bill perfectly to be the face of drugs and sports.

      Wonder if the same thing would happen if it was Lance Armstrong?

  • Posted By: TheVigil @ 07/24/2008 8:45:39 PM

    Comment: She admitted her crimes in an era when a lot of other athletes who almost certainly have used steroids - Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds - have not and have not served jail time as a result.

    I think the reporter is being a judgemental ass, personally. Juicing is older than recorded history, and it's not unreasonable to say that some form of it happens with more than 50% of athletes total. And even in the ones not using illegal juice, MOST are on some sort of legal performance enhancer. For God's sake, Tour de France riders back in 1910 used to grind cocaine into their *eyes*, and legally. Mr. Starr, for a veteran sports writer, is horridly out of touch with the reality on the ground.

    I personally think Marion should have gotten community service or a suspended sentence in the first place for having the honor to stand up and admit what she did wrong. Yeah, she screwed up, but in the end she *owned* up, too. Her medals have already been stripped, and I think there's been a double standard in terms of punishing her here, maybe not gender-based, but one that punishes the honest and rewards the dishonest.

    My guess is that there are a *lot* of Olympians who juice and have just found ways to beat the system, and punishing Marion to this extent is just unfair. And punitive. American jails, like all jails, are utterly screwed up and a horrible experience for anyone going through them. The only way that I'll buy Mr. Starr's claims that he's just an reporter who dislikes the "scourge" of drugs, and not one who feels burned by writing coverage that's now altered by circumstance, is if he publishes an unconditional call for the arrests of *everyone* ever associated with steroids or illegal performance enhancers. Otherwise, I just don't buy it, and hope he learns to be less judgemental in the future.

  • Posted By: C. MacLean @ 07/24/2008 8:19:43 PM

    Comment: Sorry, but if Bush can commute Scooter Libby's sentence for perjury before he ever served a day, he can commute Jone's sentence for perjury now that she has served 4 of 6 months. The SOB might as well do ONE good thing before he leaves office.

    She is in jail because we judge our female athletes by a different standard. You don't see Palmeiro in jail for lying to Congress, you don't see Clemens in jail, but Marion Jones? 6 months.

    Her precipitous fall has sent a chilling and essential message to Marion Jones, but I don't see that most professional athletes have gotten the message at all, and Bush commuting or not commuting her sentence won't make the message any clearer.

    Send her home.

  • Posted By: suemable @ 07/24/2008 8:03:16 PM

    Comment: Yes, you are vindictive.

    But this is not about you. It is about Marion, and justice being served while fitting the crime. People who have DUI"s, like Paris Hilton, spend 36 hours in jail! And they don't make statements admitting to fault! Drunk driving kills people. Marion Jones' loss of Olymipic medals didn't.

    Marion is a good woman, gifted, and talented. She made mistakes that many a man have made in baseball, while keeping their multi-million dollar contract. Andy Petitte, anyone? I fully support her. Life is about forgiveness.

    Sue

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/26/2008 3:39:45 PM

      Comment: SHE ISN'T IN JAIL FOR TAKING STEROIDS! SHE IS IN JAIL FOR PERJURING HERSELF!! ANDY PETITTE DIDN'T LIE TO A GRAND JURY!

  • Posted By: mbailiff @ 07/24/2008 4:47:53 PM

    Comment: Using one person to set an example is not right. If you want to crack down on drug use in athletes then do so but don't make an example out of one athlete. Should she stay in jail? I think the punishment should fit the crime and putting this athlete in jail seems like an awfully big punishment for the crimes she commited. I would rather have that cell occupied by a rapist or muderer. I think we need to examine how we carry out the laws in this country and make use of the legal system in a more balanced manor. I don't think Marion Jones is a danger to society and if the judge had not been trying to make an example of her she probably would have received parole time instead of jail time. Now should she be let out early? No, she has been sentenced by the court and by a judge and jury and the president should not overide the courts decision. George Bush needs to spend more time obeying the law and less time helping his friends out of jail.

  • Posted By: frenchpatou @ 07/24/2008 4:21:38 PM

    Comment: American laws are a disgrace to the "free world", We are the land of the free ! Well; that's a lot of b... s... !

  • Posted By: Mitzi76 @ 07/24/2008 4:16:20 PM

    Comment: She began serving her 6 month sentence in March and we will be in August next week. Her prison time will end in September, I don't see what a few more weeks are either way, but then I am not in prison with young children at home. We are all hurt and disappointed that she duped us, hell, she was the darling of the 2000 Games. On a personal note, she may even be a cousin, our parents hail from the same country where the gene pool was very small.

  • Posted By: Brad406 @ 07/24/2008 4:12:06 PM

    Comment: ok i do have to say one thing. i wish i could read a story that dose not invovle someone's owen personal opeinen. i mean this looks more of the auther wanting to say hey i don;t want you to do this. everyday the news is getting more and more focosed on what the reporter thinks. i would love to see more articles on just plan and simple FACT!! not something someone thinks. i want to know what is going on in the world not what you think of what is going on. i want to make my owen opinon of it. this story here dose not show hardly any facts. it is all what the author thinks. to the auther and all other reporters stop telling people what you think and just stick to the facts and for the articles i have read where it is all based on facts i do thank you for those. to bad there are not more of them. if you want to make a statment about this write the president you are a reporter you know the address.

    • Posted By: sregis @ 07/24/2008 4:26:17 PM

      Comment: this is a blog; it's commentary by nature.

  • Posted By: Brad406 @ 07/24/2008 4:10:29 PM

    Comment: ok i do have to say one thing. i wish i could read a story that dose not invovle someone's owen personal opeinen. i mean this looks more of the auther wanting to say hey i don;t want you to do this. everyday the news is getting more and more focosed on what the reporter thinks. i would love to see more articles on just plan and simple FACT!! not something someone thinks. i want to know what is going on in the world not what you think of what is going on. i want to make my owen opinon of it. this story here dose not show hardly any facts. it is all what the author thinks. to the auther and all other reporters stop telling people what you think and just stick to the facts and for the articles i have read where it is all based on facts i do thank you for those. to bad there are not more of them. if you want to make a statment about this write the president you are a reporter you know the address.

  • Posted By: egonz011 @ 07/24/2008 4:09:00 PM

    Comment: Why is that Marion Jone is in jail for lying about taking steroids, while Bush is still free eventhough he lied to get us into a war in Iraq? Marion Jones' only casued a few opympic record to be altered while Bush caused the deaths of thousands of soldiers, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians, and out the whole world in a food and energy crisis. IMO, Bush should give Jones the pardon and take her place at Ft. Worth instead.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 4:30:18 PM

      Comment: She lied under oath

  • Posted By: egonz011 @ 07/24/2008 4:03:30 PM

    Comment: As if Marion Jones lying about taking steriods during the olympics to a grand jury compares to Bush's lie to get us into Iraq. The consequences of Marion Jones' lie is a few olympic records will have to be altered. Bush's lie cost the lives of over four thousand american soldiers. hundreds of thousand Iraqi civilians and has helped to raise the price of fuel causing havoc all over the world. It should be Bush in jail applying for pardon

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/26/2008 3:37:07 PM

      Comment: Your exactly right. You should be on a different message board complaining.

  • Posted By: kyd70 @ 07/24/2008 4:00:52 PM

    Comment: sailor_jon
    Why do some people feel sorryand feel the need for pardons for those dishonorable individuals that commit crimes.
    __________________________________________________________________
    The disgrace here is we now have an athlete that did everything she could to win. Didn't Palmiero lie to Congress? Is he in jail? There's a whole list of baseball players that should be in jail, yet they play on, have their names enshrined on record lists for all time. Then we have Jones, sitting in a jail cell like a common criminal. It's BS in the highest order.
    The punishment should fit the crime. She lied and was publicly disgraced in front of entire country of 330 million people. Where do you go to escape the shame? There are few corners of the country to which she can escape that shame. That's punishment enough. She's a woman!
    Anyway, any sailor that talks like you is a hypocrite. How many years would you be in jail if you were caught with every prostitute you ever solicited?

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/26/2008 3:35:57 PM

      Comment: Her punishment is that she's a woman?

  • Posted By: Notablindsheep @ 07/24/2008 3:34:50 PM

    Comment: Bush pardoned Libby the convicted felon. If he can do that, his pardoning a mere drug-enhanced athlete should come as no surprise. I agree with you that she should not be pardoned. But the criminal sitting in the White House has no clue what is right for this country and certainly has no good judgement about pardoning anyone.

  • Posted By: sailor_jon @ 07/24/2008 3:29:02 PM

    Comment: Why do some people feel sorryand feel the need for pardons for those dishonorable individuals that commit crimes. If all it akes is to say "I'm sorry", we'd have a world of smartass cynical no-goods that take absolutely no resposibility for their actions. Since when does I'm sorry" make up for the deceitfull actions, lying, fraud, complete inconsderation for her fellow atheltes and the honor of Olympic Sports. Keep her in Jail -and get a room next to her for Barry Bonds..and all the others who think they got aeway with cheating.

  • Posted By: Jess0731 @ 07/24/2008 3:26:24 PM

    Comment: Sure, why not kick her a little more while she is down. She's been disgraced and punished for her indiscressions. She has paid a major price for her will to win. She was a role model when she was on top and now she is a lesson to be learned by all that are willing to do anything to win. Don't look at the baseball players, it hasn't cost them what it has cost her. They aren't in jail and are probably only a couple million dollars poorer...poor babies. She wasn't a "pro", she didn't make millions everytime she stepped on the track. She has lost everything by this. If President Bush wants to let her out a little early, let him..That poor woman has paid her dues IN FULL WITH INTEREST as compared to the steriod boys of baseball.

  • Posted By: kickn' butt @ 07/24/2008 3:14:18 PM

    Comment: This author is an Idiot...
    Marrion Jones admitted her mistakes, now how about our cheating, over paid, spoiled little rich baseball playser stup up to the plate; i.e. Berry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Mr Clemmens. You'll never see their teams hand back their Championship Pennats now will you. I don't see the difference, olympic metals or championship pennants. Looks like a case of double standards to me...let's just pick on the girl and let the boys be boys.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 3:17:19 PM

      Comment: This isn't a double standard, she lied to a grand jury. It carries more weight than lying to the public.

  • Posted By: berg1014 @ 07/24/2008 3:11:39 PM

    Comment: No way she should get out. What about the silver and bronze medalists she shared the podium with? Is she going to pay them for missed endorsement deals. She got the limelight and she can't give that back but she can serve her time.

  • Posted By: berg1014 @ 07/24/2008 3:09:36 PM

    Comment: No way Jones should get out early! If anything, she should have to pay the athletes who shared the podium with her for endorsements they missed out on while she enjoyed the limelight!

    • Posted By: truedirector @ 07/24/2008 3:18:31 PM

      Comment: Truth is, I bet you werent happy when Martha and Ivan got out, however, for the sake of repetition:
      This is posted below, but linking to this post can serve as a nice shadow.
      Funny how this works.
      If Marion completes her sentence, from what I can tell through really quick research, unlike Martha Stewart or, for example, Ivan Boesky -who both were WAY more harmful to the US public than Jones- she will be one of the very few public figures to actually serve a full sentence. WOW.. no comment on the balance of justice in this country.

  • Posted By: mlbuie @ 07/24/2008 3:08:20 PM

    Comment: I am amazed at the 2nd rate hypocrites that pass jusgement on the people they hold to an unachievable standard with extreme lack of compassion and forgiveness. What depths of depression and self-loathing have you 'fans' subjected Marion and other athletes to in your unquenchable thirst to see them break another record or exceed what someone did before them.

    I wish they would put your petty ass in jail.

    You dn't know WHAT unspeakable stress and strain you and your ilk ahve subjected her to. And you, on your almighty throne of 'justice' and 'perfection' speak from your hall of holy sports commentatorship about how she must suffer more! :~(

    It is YOU who are the dreg of humanity ... not her.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 3:19:14 PM

      Comment: why send anyone to prison at all if all they have to do is say they are sorry.

  • Posted By: kyd70 @ 07/24/2008 3:03:31 PM

    Comment: S.O.B's like this author and his opinion of commuting Marion Jones' sentence is the reason why most middle-class (and most blacks, regardless of economic stature) don't cry when some snotty Northeasterner is mugged and beaten to death. We all say "Sorry for his family" and "Good riddance" in the same breath.
    Jones is in jail for trying to live up to her countries expectations and using unscrupulous judgement to meet them. The fact she is in jail is a perversity of justice and reinforces my distrust and distaste for the US legal system.
    I bet this dispicable author has been busted for smoking pot and released once the effects wore off..... YET Jones should be in jail. New Englanders love to pick their "Black of the week" until they find out they are real people with real issues.
    The only problem is that Black's issues get them jail time, and this author's issues get him a pat on the butt.
    How manly is it to demand a longer prison sentence for a woman who lied? I bet your wife does the same thing everyday she tells you she loves you.
    Snotty New Englanders are the reason why I moved to South Carolina. One day other men will join me in denouncing jerks like you and you will denounce our Black women no more.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 4:39:29 PM

      Comment: ...and then you can take over the world!

  • Posted By: kah27530 @ 07/24/2008 3:02:33 PM

    Comment: Sure.....dont commute her sentence......save it for the likes of Scooter Libby, Karl Rove and the likes....

    • Posted By: alexmathis @ 07/24/2008 3:54:26 PM

      Comment: No, Jones is in jail for lying to a grand jury.

  • Posted By: wmpinkus @ 07/24/2008 2:39:25 PM

    Comment: If the President commuted Scooter Libby's sentence, which was imposed after millions were spent on a jury trial, why should he not commute Jone's sentence which was imposed after she had pleaded guilty and spared the taxpayers the cost of further investigation and jury trial?
    w_p@pacbell.net



    w

  • Posted By: phyleus @ 07/24/2008 2:30:12 PM

    Comment: Ms Jones' humiliation and disgrace has been complete. To continue her imprisonment is cruel and spiteful and carries the tinge of bias. She was guilty and has paid a costly price I am sure she has learned her lessom. She is not a hardened criminal. Mr Starr's article unfortunately reflects the attitude ot so many, the black doer's punishment must be harder and longer.

    The treatment of Barry Bonds cpmpared to Canseco, Macguire, Palmerio, Sosa is another example of this bias.

    • Posted By: truedirector @ 07/24/2008 2:34:00 PM

      Comment: This is posted below, but linking to this post can serve as a nice shadow.
      Funny how this works.
      If Marion completes her sentence, from what I can tell through really quick research, unlike Martha Stewart or, for example, Ivan Boesky -who both were WAY more harmful to the US public than Jones- she will be one of the very few public figures to actually serve a full sentence. WOW.. no comment on the balance of justice in this country.

      • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 3:22:22 PM

        Comment: That's not bias. Nobody liked Barry Bonds before, they had more of a reason to dislike him after.

  • Posted By: lizbrosh @ 07/24/2008 2:26:26 PM

    Comment: I think most of you are forgetting she is also in jail due to the check kiting scheme her and her ex Tim Montgomery were convicted of. I believe bulk of her jail time is due to that and lying to federal prosecutors about BALCO.

  • Posted By: Tony C. @ 07/24/2008 2:24:18 PM

    Comment: When are they go to throw Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds in a cell? Lying, cheating, perjuring, steroid addicted losers!

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/26/2008 3:33:05 PM

      Comment: They 'go to throw' when they go to trial. she confessed, avoiding trial; they have not.

  • Posted By: Tony C. @ 07/24/2008 2:21:42 PM

    Comment: Marion Jones should stay in jail because she committed perjury. End of story. Don't do the crime if you don't want to do the time. However, I'm surprised she hasn't been released, as there are two forms of justice in America, one for the have's and one for the have not's.

    If Congress and the president want to do something really meaningful they ought to pass whatever legislation is necessary to remove the words "With Liberty and Justice for All" from the Pledge of Allegiance.

    What a crock. If they are not willing to abolish the words, then at the very least, they should change them to read "With Liberty and Justice for All the Rich and Powerful".

  • Posted By: tennessee hog @ 07/24/2008 1:58:27 PM

    Comment: And let Pete into the Hall of Fame while you're at it Mr. President. But make sure you keep Micheal Vick locked up. And go get Pacman too.

  • Posted By: inetmom @ 07/24/2008 1:51:32 PM

    Comment: There are dozens, if not hundreds of men (black, white, mixed race) who have committed the same crime. Why is Marion the only one to be locked up? This is pure and simple discrimination. Our jails are overflowing with real criminals. She is not a criminal. She just got caught up in a scam perpetuated by the coaches that want to win at any cost. Let her go!!

  • Posted By: nettkitten @ 07/24/2008 1:47:31 PM

    Comment: I feel incredible sorrow and empathy for Ms. Jones and, indeed, for all of the athletes out there who feel that the will never be good enough without the doping that unfairly puts them ahead of the rest. But, really, the fault lies not entirely with them. As American consumers we regularly exercise our cold and calculating ferocicty on all celebrities be they athletes, pop stars, movie stars or presidents. We view them, analyze and disect them, chew them up and spit them out and the only way to please us is to be head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. These people have to win or dance or sing or rule in a manner so over-the-top just to get and keep our attention for their 15 minutes that the reality of doping is hardly a surprising necessity. Now, for Ms. Jones, add that to the pressure put on a black athlete to perform, and a woman at that. Not only is America counting on her but her ethnic community and her gender community are all requiring more than her best in order to be accepted. I don't condone what she or any of the other athletes have done. I agree that jail is the best place from which to send her message: this behavior is not acceptable and won't be tolerated. It's also the place from which she can remain safe from the rest of us; from the pit-bull pundits who would tear her limb from limb for letting all of us down. And in the immortal words of John Candy in "Cool Runnings": "The thing to remember about a gold medal is this: if you're not enough without it you'll never be enough with it". In jail or out I suspect that we will never allow Marion Jones, or indeed any of these people that we idolize momentarily, to be enough.

  • Posted By: Olddad1 @ 07/24/2008 1:43:33 PM

    Comment: I think it is a good thing that he did not pardon her.I mean he has to use the pardons for his buddies like Scooter & Karl. They only lied to the American people causing thousands of deaths .Lord know we want to keep those dangerous steroid users off the streets.

  • Posted By: deanavernon @ 07/24/2008 1:42:48 PM

    Comment: I do not agree with you. No man has ever suffered this greatly for committed an equivalent crime. This was not murder, she is not a dangerous person. There are numerous people (men) who have never been caught, she unfortunantly got caught and I found her punishment to be terribly severe. I think she has suffered enough. She was still a great athlete. I still respect her for that. I hope God will bless her, she certainly deserves it after all this crap she has been put through.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 3:33:42 PM

      Comment: Are you serious!? suffered this greatly? 6 MONTHS! Your comparing her to people that have 'never been caught' ok, so the ones proven guilty we let go, the ones we DON"T EVEN KNOW OF we....send to jail? And great athlete? SHE WAS TAKING STEROIDS!!! you respect someone that is an admitted cheater, right. Your exactly right, she put herself through alot of crap.

  • Posted By: really?!? @ 07/24/2008 1:42:24 PM

    Comment: LOL... "equal under the law" and the G. Bush should not be in the same paragraph.

  • Posted By: lras138 @ 07/24/2008 1:29:58 PM

    Comment: Oh please. She hasn't killed anyone. She came clean. Where's the common sense in all this?

  • Posted By: lras138 @ 07/24/2008 1:28:51 PM

    Comment: Oh please. Who'd she kill?

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 4:53:22 PM

      Comment: Who'd she kill!? I'm almost certain she got 6 months, i would hope if she killed someone she would get more time than that.

  • Posted By: susanmg @ 07/24/2008 1:27:18 PM

    Comment: So SHE should stay in jail, but people like Landis, baseball stars, football cheats....they get to go free? Marion owned up to her sins, and has paid far more already for them than the many men guilty of the same and worse. The same happened to Martha Stewart. I'm all for jail, but please be fair and convict the MEN too.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 3:44:18 PM

      Comment: Are you even aware of what actually happened?? SHE PURJURED HERSELF!! While I'm sure that eventually the others will get what is coming to them, they did not lie to a grand jury. The same happened to Martha Stewart? I don't recall Martha Stewart taking steroids at the olympics, participating in a check cashing scheme, and then lying to a grand jury about her involvement, EVER.

    • Posted By: Keith Franz @ 07/24/2008 2:45:49 PM

      Comment: You seem to have glossed over a few rather critical points. First, she was involved in a check-writing scheme and second, she committed perjury. That is why they are after her. Her arrogance will be her undoing. Andy Petite, Jason Jiambi were stupid enough to lie to the public about their steriod use. They are not in jail because they were smart enough not to lie to a grand jury.

  • Posted By: klebrun @ 07/24/2008 1:22:27 PM

    Comment: If he can commute Scooter Libby for an action that has led us into a disastrous war under false pretenses, commuting Marion Jones should be a no-brainer. At least she took responsibility for her actions.

  • Posted By: John_Toradze @ 07/24/2008 1:20:49 PM

    Comment: The difference between Marion and other Olympic champions is - she came clean. Don't pretend other medals haven't come from doping or are not now. For honesty, you want to crush her? What message is that, Mr. Starr? "Don't admit anything" is the message. Asanine fools will never die - will they Mr. Starr? You should be ashamed of yourself.

    • Posted By: rjkardo @ 07/24/2008 1:25:21 PM

      Comment: She came clean after she was busted and was unable to deny the mass of evidence against her. She does not get any credit for that.

  • Posted By: dglascoe @ 07/24/2008 1:16:09 PM

    Comment: "Our nation's most cherished values." And what, may I ask, are those values? I am a 71 year old African American female who has been privy to those most cherished values. Dishonor reigns. Consider civil rights, Iraq, 'don't ask, don't tell', immigration, etc. - what values are inherent in America's thinking and behavior? If we prosecuted every American who dishonors America's values, the prisons would be overloaded. In fact, I believe we'd have to begin at the top with our commander-in-chief.

  • Posted By: presidentbush @ 07/24/2008 1:15:01 PM

    Comment: Are you kidding? Marion Jones? How about:

    The president should not commute the disgraced [insert any convict] sentence. [The convict's] precipitous fall sends a chilling???and essential???message to [anyone in society who stands to "learn" from the conviction].

  • Posted By: truedirector @ 07/24/2008 12:53:49 PM

    Comment: Funny how this works.
    If Marion completes her sentence, from what I can tell through really quick research, unlike Martha Stewart or, for example, Ivan Boesky -who both were WAY more harmful to the US public than Jones- she will be one of the very few public figures to actually serve a full sentence. WOW.. no comment on the balance of justice in this country.

  • Posted By: kcreech @ 07/24/2008 12:52:03 PM

    Comment: We know that Marion Jones is not the only athlete to use steroids--she is however the ONLY one to admit it. Others can sit in front of congressional committees and deny, deny, deny and therefore forgo prison. Marion Jones had the courage to confess to her use and face the consequences when not one male athlete has done the same. Marion Jones repented, took her punishment and is forever disgraced in the public eyes. Yes, that sends a message to other steroid taking athletes???never admit to use because look what happened to Jones.

    How very sanctimonious of the author and his ???burn the witch??? attitude. Marion is the only former multimillion dollar, contract steroid taking athlete in prison, and she happens to be a woman. Would this editor still have the same attitude if it was a start baseball player? When do you think we will ever see one of them admitting to steroid use?

    I think the Editor does sound vindictive???thou doest protest loudly.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 3:59:08 PM

      Comment: How very convenient of you to forget that she was also involved in a check cashing scheme as well. Never mind the fact that other baseball players are under investigation as well for exactly what she did, lying to a grand jury. You also missed that Andy Pettite ADMITTED to using steroids along with other MLB players but NOT under oath. So much for protesting loudly, you really should get your facts straight if you want to make a convincing argument.

  • Posted By: rocketspad @ 07/24/2008 12:48:44 PM

    Comment: To put Marion Jones's offense on a higher level than that of Scooter Libby, Dick Cheney and George suggests that Mr. Starr has an inflated view of the importance of sport in our life.

  • Posted By: BROWNLOVE 42 @ 07/24/2008 12:46:26 PM

    Comment: YES INDEED

  • Posted By: BROWNLOVE 42 @ 07/24/2008 12:45:58 PM

    Comment: Oh yes Mr. Starr let Marion Jones stay in prison and let your boy Clemens go scott free, because after all
    he didn't use the juice. How typical of you people.

    • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/25/2008 4:44:30 PM

      Comment: ............WHICH PEOPLE ARE THESE?

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 4:57:21 PM

      Comment: Who says Clemens got off!? I think he is awating trial.

  • Posted By: bjs111572 @ 07/24/2008 12:43:16 PM

    Comment: I guess I don't agree with you Mr. Starr. What good will a few more months in prison do? Jones has been stripped of her glory; where will she go from here? Her punishment will continue on for many years. Can she compete again? Could she coach; would you allow your son or daughter to be coached by a known cheater? Would your company endorse a known cheater? She has lost the life as she knows it and she has paid her price. Mr. Starr, I don't know about you, but I work in a world of business where dollars and cents make a difference in the lives of people everyday. Perhaps you do not pay enough in taxes and along with your bitterness towards Jones you would like to see her stay in jail and pay the bill. I would rather have my tax dollars that are used towards federal prisons to be used towards "real" crimminals and for the prosecution of them. In a system that is already bogged down with frivilous law suits, why would we want to continue to jail and punish a person who's time served is immeasurable in history books. Marion Jones will always be known as a cheater and for an Olympian who was stripped of her medals - isn't that enough? I agree with HellSpawn Darkness in regards to Scooter Libby - as well as this thought....when the role models are children see today are Presidents that lie, administrations that are corrupt, businesses that withhold information, sports stars committing crimes and celebrities showing their private parts getting out of a car what should we expect out of our community? It's time we clean things up, but Jones has served and will continue to serve her time for many years to come. Thankfully you were able to spend some time with your wife on your anniversary

  • Posted By: pinkpanther87413 @ 07/24/2008 12:22:57 PM

    Comment: Bush commuts Libbys sentence for TREASON!
    Bush claims Executive Privilage for TREASON
    Both commited during a time of war -Sentence is DEATH! Do Not Pass Go, Do not collect 200 dollar! DEAD!
    Let this girl go, the time does not fit the crime, and time in our faces, is hell,o for her to live with.

    • Posted By: mlbuie @ 07/24/2008 3:23:04 PM

      Comment: Right! I've always felt this! A President commuting a treasonous criminal while we trounce this woman pressured by the ilk of Mark Starr into exceeding their ravenous hunger for "more, MORE"!

      Starr ought to be ashamed to even put this crap to paper or web page!

  • Posted By: HellSpawn Darkness @ 07/24/2008 12:21:22 PM

    Comment: Whereas I totally agree that Marion Jones betrayed our trust and faith in her, as well as her abilities, I find it hard to beileve that "We as a People" can look upon our "President" and NOT at the very least consider the option. I say this in light of the double standard that is applied to another individual who didn't even have to ask openly for their sentence to be commuted. Not to say that what was done by Jones is right, but it is the height of duplicity and hypocracy for the public and sports writers to lay down the hammer on her while not even acknowleding the commuted sentence of one I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Marion cheated and got medals for her trouble, whereas "Scooter" cheated and the Government, to say nothing of the press, did it's absolute best to look the other way. How sad a state we have become if we can openly call for the "crucification" of a celebrity, be it sports or otherwise, and the same is not done for those who were chosen for "higher callings". Namely, to uphold and preserve the rights and laws of this great land. "Convey our nation's most cherished values", I'm more surprised that you were able to write that with a straight face than I am of Bush having said it with one.

  • Posted By: JenLot @ 07/24/2008 12:18:21 PM

    Comment: And what comment does it send that Scooter LIbby has yet to serve a prison sentnece for the lies he told on behalf of the Bush Administration. Obviously Marion Jones will never compete again and making a statement by having her in jail during the '08 Olympics won't make a bit of a positive impact...only a negative impact on her child, who did nothing wrong.

  • Posted By: Stlmovoter @ 07/24/2008 12:17:23 PM

    Comment: A prison sentence should be based on the crime, not on whether it makes a good moral lesson for others. Let her out.

  • Posted By: JenLot @ 07/24/2008 12:17:05 PM

    Comment: And how about Bush and Scooter Libby...does that send the right message to our children? She has served her time...she will not ever compete again...doesn't seem like keeping her away from her child any longer is going to make a bit of impact...except perhaps a negative impact on her child, who did nothing wrong.

  • Posted By: keylove97 @ 07/24/2008 12:10:19 PM

    Comment: The crime does not fit the punishment. I feel that she has been punished greatly by society and the media. Her name has been tarnished by her own doing. She has definetly has paid her debt to society. Her medals, dignity, name, legacy has been tarnished. What else do you want from her? She should be able to go home and raise her children. She can turn this around by making speechs to schools as community service and talk tho them about the dangers of being involved in using drug enhancers. She should be a working example for others. Leaving her in jail doesn't accomplish anything.

  • Posted By: makethedeal @ 07/24/2008 12:10:09 PM

    Comment: It's terrible things come to this. Say what you want about this athlete, I suppose a white actress who drives drunk, causes accidents and has drugs on them is ok to do about 5 to 20 minutes of jailtime... just enough time to sign some autographs and take a few pictures with the LAPD. Don't write about the injustices of the court system and the corruption but come down hard on the black female athlete who dosen't even have the fame and money of a Barry Bonds. I'm a white male and I feel bad for Jones and she paid her dues 10 times over compared to these other people to buy or smile there way out of everything. I'm not saying it's right but under the current laughable court sysytem and what they allow to go on... an eye for an eye, give her the 20 minutes of less sentance, take her medals and move on. MLR

  • Posted By: makethedeal @ 07/24/2008 12:09:52 PM

    Comment: It's terrible things come to this. Say what you want about this athlete, I suppose a white actress who drives drunk, causes accidents and has drugs on them is ok to do about 5 to 20 minutes of jailtime... just enough time to sign some autographs and take a few pictures with the LAPD. Don't write about the injustices of the court system and the corruption but come down hard on the black female athlete who dosen't even have the fame and money of a Barry Bonds. I'm a white male and I feel bad for Jones and she paid her dues 10 times over compared to these other people to buy or smile there way out of everything. I'm not saying it's right but under the current laughable court sysytem and what they allow to go on... an eye for an eye, give her the 20 minutes of less sentance, take her medals and move on. MLR

  • Posted By: TechMom @ 07/24/2008 12:06:42 PM

    Comment: By all means, keep Marion in jail - provided that all of the MEN who have lied and are lying about taking performance enhancing drugs get at minimum the same sentence! (They know who they are!)

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 5:00:51 PM

      Comment: SHE IS NOT IN JAIL FOR LYING, SHE IS IN JAIL FOR PURJURY AND FRAUD! Is it really that dificult to figure out!?

  • Posted By: TechMom @ 07/24/2008 12:04:15 PM

    Comment: By all means, keep her in jail - provided every single one of the MEN who are lying through their teeth that they never used steroids gets the same sentence!

  • Posted By: efnwestport @ 07/24/2008 11:57:47 AM

    Comment: Well one person agrees with you.

    What I think is particular to this case and most involving women. Is that the company Marion Jones kept is largely responsible for her down fall. She made horrible choices, and is responsible for them. I have to wonder that if she had had a different experience with regard to her private life, would this have happened?

    I think she should be pardoned, the crime does not fit the punishment.

  • Posted By: jerushahale @ 07/24/2008 11:56:12 AM

    Comment: Marion Jones did indeed rob someone -- she robbed the athletes that competed against her. The rightful winners of the gold, silver and bonze cannot go back and capture their moment on the podium, their crowning moment for many years of hard work, for it is forever lost to MJ.

  • Posted By: peacenik65 @ 07/24/2008 11:55:27 AM

    Comment: As the saying goes, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime!". But the greater truth is that MERCY suits all our cases -- every one of US! I suggest we all reconsider throwing that stone!

  • Posted By: cwickham @ 07/24/2008 11:54:32 AM

    Comment: Since pro baseball players who have been involved in performance enhancing drugs are not serving time, but an amateur black woman is, I don't see the equality nor fairness in this (I'm white, BTW). I think it is complete BS that the pros go untouched while the courts pick on someone without resources to get out of their predicament. At least Marion had the guts to admit her wrong doing while the multi-million dollar a year primadonas continue to say they've done nothing wrong. If you're worried about the image a sports figure portrays, try focusing on pro sports instead of the amateurs.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 4:10:13 PM

      Comment: you are aware she is not in jail simply because she took steroids, right? You do know that she lied under oath and was involved in some type of fraudulent scheme, right? The only reason she is in jail right now is because she confessed to purjury and saved herself a trial, something that Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds will find out about soon enough.

  • Posted By: poppafu59 @ 07/24/2008 11:52:35 AM

    Comment: Sending a message to young athletes is what this is all about. I would think that the shame of this ordeal and the time in jail would serve as a deterrent to most young atheletes.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 5:02:13 PM

      Comment: Agreed, thats exactly why she is in jail

  • Posted By: thorpey52 @ 07/24/2008 11:51:02 AM

    Comment: Jones have to live with the dishonor to her country, family, herself. Yesterday I read in our local paper that a defrocked priest plead guilty to many counts of rape of a child. His plea agreement ordered house arrest, probation.......no jail time. I have a hard time understanding a legal system that doles out these kinds of inappropriate sentences. I believe that Jones' sentence is harsh and does not fit the crime. Maybe community service is in line,

  • Posted By: Jronn @ 07/24/2008 11:49:58 AM

    Comment: I'm sorry. Did you use the word values and Bush in the same sentence? The same George Bush who allowed a convicted felon named Scooter Libby to walk away from his perjury conviction and has allowed his inner circle to circumvent the law time after time?. The same George Bush who has trampled on our Constitution with regularity? You have the gaul to point towards someone such as him for moral leadership? Why don't you make one more hypocritical request and ask him to not only leave Jones in jail, but make some room for all of those close to him who deserve to be there much more than her.

  • Posted By: InstantClassic @ 07/24/2008 11:49:52 AM

    Comment: Bush can't claim the moral high ground on issues of pardons and commutations after commuting Scooter Libby's sentence.

  • Posted By: calliecat @ 07/24/2008 11:46:52 AM

    Comment: Marion Jones should be pardoned. She doesn't belong in jail. I'm sure she has paid for her mistake a thousand times over. Where is your compassion? Put the murderers, drug dealers, robbers etc. behind bars. Not a wonderful person like Marion Jones.

    • Posted By: Keith Franz @ 07/24/2008 2:49:22 PM

      Comment: wonderful person??? Ask the athletes that she cheated out of a medal if they think she is a wonderful person. What about the athletes that were robbed of their right to stand on the world stage, receive a gold medal and hear them playing your national anthem? Do you think they would say she was wonderful??

  • Posted By: needtoknow49 @ 07/24/2008 11:46:38 AM

    Comment: Your argument would be a lot more persuasive if all the MEN who have done the exact same thing were also sitting in jail. But they aren't. Conicidence? I hate cheating in sports just as much as you, but I hate the inconsistent application of consequences even more.

  • Posted By: calliecat @ 07/24/2008 11:45:31 AM

    Comment: Marion Jones should be pardoned. She didn't kill anyone or rob anyone. I'm sure she has paid for her mistake mentally a thousand times over. Let her out of jail. She doesn't belong there. Where is your compassion?

  • Posted By: InstantClassic @ 07/24/2008 11:44:53 AM

    Comment: Bush can't take the moral high ground on any pardons/commutations after commuting Scooter Libby's sentence.

  • Posted By: jonnyguitar @ 07/24/2008 11:44:44 AM

    Comment: Let's face it. As long as people are willing to pay hefty ticket prices and demand superhuman performance from athletes, no matter who you put in jail won't make any difference. Athletes are competitive. They'll do what it takes to be bigger, better, stronger. Even if it means taking drugs. I can't say I feel a whole lot safer with Marion off the streets, can't say I'm really happy my tax dollars are paying her room and board. I'm sick of sending messages. The fans and sponsors demand performance and they pay handsomely for it. Quit blaming athletes for figuring out how to deliver. And Marion in jail? Stupid. Just stupid. Like 6 months in the slammer is really the factor that's going to keep someone from popping a few steroids. I'd say a life in poverty with no medals to show for your hard work is pretty harsh, but oh, I forgot...we're fans...we're never satisfied.

  • Posted By: needtoknow49 @ 07/24/2008 11:44:14 AM

    Comment: Your argument would be a lot more persuasive if all the MEN who have been caught doing the exact same thing (and not just in track, but baseball, football, basketball, you name it) were also sitting in jail. But they aren't. Coincidence? I hate cheating in sports just as much as you do, but I hate the inconsistent application of punishment more.

    • Posted By: drewcan2 @ 07/24/2008 4:26:31 PM

      Comment: SHE IS NOT IN JAIL FOR CHEATING!! If you read the article you would know that! If you are talking about all men doing the 'exact same thing' by that do you mean lying under oath, participating in a check cashing scheme, and then admitting to their purjury to avoid trial yet were not in jail, then yes, you would have a valid argument.

  • Posted By: curryjm @ 07/24/2008 11:41:16 AM

    Comment: Per your article, "...in federal court she confessed to lying to investigators in both the BALCO drug-scandal case and a check-fraud case involving her former boyfriend..." Apparently she is in prison because she perjured herself and because she helped pass bad checks. She is not in jail because she used performance-enhancing drugs, only because she lied about it. If her involvement in the check-fraud case was not significant, then I would support her getting out of jail early. I for one am really tired of hearing about people who go to jail not for committing a crime, but for lying about their behavior. If something is not outright illegal, why shou