If Martha Stewart is guilty of insider trading....

[SusanT]

Does that change your opinion of her?

[Mickey17]

Hmmmm... I am not quite sure what to put as the woman is an amazing decorator and cook to be sure, but even without the though of insider trading she bugs the HECK out of me as a person. Just her condesending tone makes me want her to go to prison for something, anything.

[BlueMoose]

I didn't vote because my answer doesn't fit into any of the categories. No, it wouldn't change my opinion of her, because I don't have a very good opinion of her in the first place.:eek: (and for what it's worth I bet she's guilty!;) )

[wallycat]

She used to be a broker on wallstreet....so I can't believe she didn't KNOW what she was doing....
and she appears cut-throat, so it doesn't surprise me that she'd be dumb enough to try to salvage some $$ to dump stock...

It does give me pause about quality of her products because if she's dumb/naive enough to risk losing business profile by doing this---how can I be sure her merchandise is good of quality as she professes.

[Kahlico]

I never bought any of her products although I will confess I purchased her magazine once.

I enjoy browsing around her website for recipes but I will not fork over anymore money for her magazine. She seems a bit shady but that will not stop me from using recipes and tips from her website.

I never looked at Martha in that much of a negative way before this scandal broke out. IMO if you didn't like her, turn your head. I think I'm just riding the neutral wave now...

My jumbled thoughts :)

:D
~emilie

[sneezles]

Originally posted by wallycat
It does give me pause about quality of her products because if she's dumb/naive enough to risk losing business profile by doing this---how can I be sure her merchandise is good of quality as she professes.

Well, I for one wouldn't buy anything that has her name on it or was endorsed by her (and IMO having a line at Kmart so the "common" person can enjoy her style!!! YUCKKK!!!).

[Beth]

I had not heard that she was a broker on wall street before. That really makes the dumbness dumber. I read that she sold less than $300,000 in stock the day before the FDA decision was announced. Now, $300,000 might make a difference in your life or mine, but for the many, many millions she is worth it is such a measly sum to risk so much. Guess it shows that when you have too much, too much is not enough.

[linsleyd]

DH calls her an alien and I believe I have to agree with that!

:D

[beacooker]

Originally posted by BlueMoose
I didn't vote because my answer doesn't fit into any of the categories. No, it wouldn't change my opinion of her, because I don't have a very good opinion of her in the first place.:eek: (and for what it's worth I bet she's guilty!;) )

Exactly what I was going to say.

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by wallycat
She used to be a broker on wallstreet....so I can't believe she didn't KNOW what she was doing....

On the other hand, if she was a broker on Wall Street (I knew this; also a model for the Ford modeling agency, as I recall), she would know how to recognize the signs, project risks and take steps to avoid a loss. Instinct plays a large part in things like that, and the amount at issue was $300K. A drop in the bucket for her. If she knew all about what was going on, she would most likely have done more.

Years ago I read all the Martha Stewart jokes and spoofs, and a lot of 'I hate Martha' stuff, and decided to pick up her magazine out of sheer curiosity. Did this woman really live like they said, spray-painting turkey carcasses for decorative sleighs at Christmas (yes, I know: it was a joke ;) ). After reading the mag I decided that people needed to chill out and pay attention.

The magazine is set up to be a collection of nifty ideas for do-it-yourselfers. The world is not expected to save shoeboxes so that they can be covered with silver lame, spray-painted and filled with Christmas potpourri.

I then took a look at her shows to see how nasty and sneery she was on-camera. On camera, she is fine. I watched her jolly a very shy guest along, in fact. Now, I know of people who worked for her and say that she's the picky b*tch from beyond, and she's a tough businesswoman, especially when dealing with antiques (a friend of mine, an antique dealer in CT, has a friend in the civic association who likes to remind Martha that he used to have her cater his parties).

I'm not a Martha Stewart 'fan', as I am a Jaques Pepin 'fan' and a Julia Child 'fan' and a Madhur Jaffrey 'fan', but I do get her magazine on a regular basis and use her recipes. She puts out a good product.

Now, if I find that she's actively supporting the tobacco industry or animal research, I'll rethink things.

[HRJ]

Originally posted by Beth
Guess it shows that when you have too much, too much is not enough.

Well put.

I didn't vote either -- no, a conviction would not change my view of Martha, it would validate it.

I've always considered her the world 's biggest hypocrite, telling the women of America we should be these obsessively domestic creatures, spending our time caning our own chairs and churing our own butter, or whatever, while she made her fortune as a cut-throat businesswoman on Wall Street. (Not that there's anything wrong with pursuinig interests like cooking, crafts, gardening -- those are all my interests, too -- but I can't stand the haughty way she has taken it upon herself to "instruct" us mere mortals.) Plus, yes, she does put on all these airs, like she's some old blueblood, when she actually comes from Nutley, New Jersey.

I usually don't spend that much time thinking about Martha Stewart, but since she's been in the news so much, she's become a hot topic of conversation at our lunch table at work.

Rant over.

Helene

[Molli526]

I voted no.

I think she is a very cut-throat business woman, but what is wrong with that? She is very successful with MSL and she has made some very smart moves in that arena.

I also really like her magazine. My subscription was up but I just couldn't think of not renewing it. It has a lot of good ideas etc.

I think she knew what she was doing with the Imclone.

I don't buy her stuff from KMart b/c I hate KMart. They are based out of Troy, MI, the next city over from me. The stores around here are horrid- but that is a different thread of itself. My friend buys some of her stuff and it is on either end of the spectrum.

[Beth]

Guess I should also say I didn't vote. I'm in the group that didn't really change views and didn't think that much of her to begin with (although I respect what she created).

The point that a former broker would be more likely to read the signs and make a move is a good one, but I am curious about two things. Did she sell all her holdings in the company or only part (part could indicate a hedge more than insider information). Second, if she just read the signs, why the story that she had a pending sell order when that now seems to be false? That doesn't say much for her broker at any rate.

[Jill123]

I can't believe that as a savvy businesswoman who's on the NYSE board would risk her livelihood and reputation for a couple hundred grand (although I'd heard what she ended up saving was around 50k). That has to be small beans for someone like her. But then again, I know that when it comes to money, even millionaires need a little more. (Which is probably how they got to be millionaires!)

I know I'm in the minority here, but I really don't have a problem with Martha. I've heard all the stories about what a huge b**** she is, but they really don't bother me. I guess I care more about the products than the actual CEO -- can anyone tell me that you check out the CEOs of every company of every product you buy to find out if he or she is a good person? (I'm not talking about criminal activity or involvement in "taboo" industries, etc. -- just whether or not they're nice to people that work for them?)

I do buy her products at K-Mart (they're the only reason I step foot in a K-Mart, actually) and I like her products. They're good quality, inexpensive and attractive. What's not to like about that?

[guavagirl]

but just think of what she could do for the prison environment -- all of those flowers, ribbon boxes, handmade paper, hand-stitched lamp shades, and herb gardens could translate into some very highly domesticated prisoners.

Inappropriate, I know (:D), but I couldn't resist the barb.

[foodiedelite]

Would this whole insider trader story be treated differently, if it were Emeril or Bobby Flay in Martha's shoes?

Yes, the media does make it sound as though Martha is guilty of insider trading. As mentioned, she was a successful stockbroker for years on Wallstreet. She is very shrewd and wouldn't attempt to jeopardize her reputation on such an obivious undertaking.

She had verbal orders to sell if the stock fell below $60, which is what occured. Her broker had noted this on her account.

I was glad to see she canceled her appearance on the morning show. She doesn't need to be harrassed or used by the media, in need of a prominent fall guy for all the corporate white collar crime that's been going on.

It's so funny as much as she's disliked,her show continues to air season after season,her magazine ads were up last month and her merchandise does well at KMart. Martha has become an "icon" of the woman we love to hate, as we all aspire to the unobtainable.

As much as I'd love to say Martha wears on my nerves, I find she provides inspiration for many people--from homemakers to businesswomen fighting the glass ceiling.

Just my two cents, as I know I'm in the minority here!


:rolleyes:

[boisewinesnob]

My opinion is mixed.
I got a couple of her magazine, but they were not very practical for my home, so I have never bought one since. I do like to watch her show, even though she does irritate me....acting as if she already knew everything before the guest explains whatever it is they're making, pronouncing words to try and make herself sound smarter, etc.
One time she had one of the Lobel's on (from Lobel's butcher shop in Manhattan) and he made some BBQ chicken that I make all the time now. Our absolute favorite BBQ chicken recipe. And I have learned other interesting things from her show.

guavagirl---HAHAHA! good one about the prison. Maybe she could plant some DOLL-yas :rolleyes:

Also, I have mentioned before that she is like the Mr Rogers for adults....going to factories to see how things are made and stuff.

[BlueMoose]

Martha irritates me as a person...her mannerisms and her know-it-all attitude. Also, she makes it seem like she does all these projects when in reality, her "people" do most of it for her.

That being said, I think she has great taste and gives out great tips, projects, recipes and information. In fact I wanted to buy a book of hers at Sam's recently about transforming flea market finds, but I already had a lot in my cart:rolleyes: . Maybe if they still have that book when I go out there tomorrow...;) :D

I think she fully deserves her success, because she's a very shrewd business woman and has worked extrodinarily hard to get where she is.

That still doesn't mean I need to be in the Martha fan club.;)

BTW....here's a recipe to share:

Martha's recipe for water: Simply mix 2 parts hydrogen with 1 part oxygen. Mix until thoroughly combined.:D :o

[greysangel]

I dont have much of an opinion on Martha, but I would love that BBQ recipe boisewinesnob :D :D

[lhall]

I don't really like Martha. Some of her ideas are nice and I did decorate my dining room table with ribbon, tree cuttings, and pinecones at christmas (it looked nice). But, so much of the stuff she does just takes so much time it's not really practical. Which I find annoying.

I don't buy her stuff because I also don't shop at Kmart.

I don't think the insider trading will change my opinion of her.

Leigh

[boisewinesnob]

Originally posted by greysangel
I dont have much of an opinion on Martha, but I would love that BBQ recipe boisewinesnob :D :D

Here it is:

Glazed Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings
serves 6

20 to 25 chicken wings
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1 1/2 T soy sauce
1 T ketchup
1 T rice-wine vinegar
1 T freshly squeezed lime juice
1 t light brown sugar
1 t chopped garlic
1 t chopped fresh ginger
1/4 t Asian chile paste
salt and pepper to taste
cooking spray

1. Prepare wings by cutting through the joints to make 2 pieces. Snip off the tips. Put the wings in a shallow glass dish.
2. Combine the hoisin sauce, ketchup, vinegar, lime juice, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chile paste in a small bowl, and whisk well. Brush liberally on the chicken wings, turning them to coat both sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cove, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
3. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill. Lightly spray the grill rach with cooking spray. The coals should be moderately hot.
4. Grill the wings, turning with tongs 3 to 4 times and brushing with any remaining glaze during the first 10 minutes of grilling or until cooked through, 15-25 minutes. Serve immediately.

I am not a big fan of wings, so I always use drumsticks. I have done them with skins, and without, and they turn out great both ways. I usually have to throw them in the oven--325--for about 15 more minutes because I can never cook them all the way on the grill without them getting too black (because of the sugars). So I just BBQ as long as I can get away with and then bake for a few minutes until the meat is done.
It is called sweet and sour, but it tastes much more like BBQ, I think. Just no hickory/smoky flavor to it...maybe that's why they call it sweet and sour.
Anyways, so easy and yummy!

Suzy

[julia]

Nope, my opinion wouldn't change. Something interesting that I saw in the paper this week, George Bush Jr. apparently sold off some stock in the early 90's when he was director of the company just before the stock fell to $1.00 from $4.00 - and the quotes in the article were that the President did nothing wrong - so why is Martha in all of this hot water?

[greysangel]

suzy;

that looks very yummy!!! thank you!

JeAnne