Get convicted, go to jail.

So Winona "Moustache" Ryder goes shopping one day at Saks, and decides to do a little shoplifting because she was "preparing for a movie role". Okay, whatever. She gets her day in court and gets convicted of grand theft. Now the prosecutor is saying that she doesn't want Winona to go to jail, just a little probation here and a little community service there and Voila! Justice has been served!

Tell it to the kids serving time for stealing food to eat.

Tell it to the mother of three doing LIFE because her "third strike" was lifting a carton of cigarettes.

Here's a list of items Ms. Ryder was convicted of stealing:

* Gucci dress (white): $1,595
* Marc Jacobs thermal top: $760
* Yves Saint Laurent blouse: $750
* Natori handbag: $540
* Dolce & Gabbana handbag: $525
* Eric Javitz hat: $350
* Eric Javitz hat: $225
* Rhinestone hair band (black): $140
* Rhinestone ponytail holder (black): $120
* Rhinestone hairclip (black): $110
* Rhinestone hair bow (black): $110
* Cashmere blend socks (beige): $80
* Beaded purse, two (black): $55 each
* Saks socks, two pair (cream): $38 each
* Donna Karan socks, one pair (brown): $20
* Calvin Klein socks, two pair (gray): $16.50 each
* Calvin Klein socks, one pair (purple): $16.50

The prosecutor says she won't seek jail time because it's a first offense. I understand that, and I hope, if ever I am convicted of a crime, they'll go easy because I have never been convicted of anything before. But in a case that was so ridiculously visible, what type of message are we sending? That rich Hollywood starlets can steal from ritzy department stores and not get sent to jail?

Oh. Message sent and received.

More later...
Paul