Keep Marion Jones in Prison

"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.

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].

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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,

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.

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