Paula Deen said some horrible things that cannot be defended.
Having written that, how long should we punish people for saying stupid things in the past?
Plus, there is the matter of intent and context.
Deen lost her Food Network job. She'll likely lose millions of dollars worth of endorsements.
It appears there's more to the story. If you believe the allegations in a court case, she condoned some mean and sloppy behavior at one of her restaurants.
We are a country of second chances. Ask Don Imus, Anthony Weiner, Mark Sanford, Charlie Sheen, Kristen Stewart, Martha Stewart, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Tiger Woods, and Ray Lewis. There are a thousand others. I'm sure we haven't seen or heard the last of Paula Deen.
I never liked Paula Deen because she appeared to be a big phony.
I can't help wondering if the punishment fit the crime.
