It made me want to gold leaf my microwave: I refer to Martha Stewart’s gutsy interview with Barbara Walters on 20 20.
The Other Charlotte (and this) has dealt with the unfairness of the government’s case against Stewart–they went after her for fibbing when they realized they couldn’t make the case for insider trading–but I want to say a few words about role models.
In speaking with Barbara, Martha Stewart was something very few people dare to be in our day–aloof. In an era when big men sob on TV, Martha didn’t give us that pleasure–she was controlled and dignified, giving the most determined performance since Scarlet O’Hara, another woman of courage, if not exceptional warmth, shot the Yankee intruder.
She was obviously on TV in an effort to create a favorable impression that will help save her company, which is a good thing. I thought it was a hoot and a half that she compared herself to Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for even less than fibbing, and offered to send him a free subscription of her magazine.
Joyce Purnick in today’s New York Times says that Mr. Mandela is taking the high road and not criticizing her for the comparison. For an extremely different take, however, there’s Andrew McCarthy’s piece in National Review.