I believe it is unfortunate that Paula Deen’s career as a TV chef appears to be in an unrecoverable death spiral. Hell, even Martha Stewart made a comeback after being jailed for securities fraud. She was actually convicted of a serious crime.

OK, so maybe Deen made some racist remarks a few years ago, in a private setting. But so what? She has and should be criticized for this, but to demolish her entire public persona over some thoughtless words (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t done the same at some time or another?) is terribly unfair. She has made numerous public apologies, offered extravagant contrition, and suffered severe public humiliation enough already. Let the punishment fit the crime.

A sincere public disapproval of language or behavior is one thing, but Paula’s actions are not, and should not be a crime, just bad manners. Once made public knowlege and publicly condemned, she should be forgiven and we should move on. I suppose her sponsors have the right to reject her services if they feel it is in their financial interest, and her customers have the right to reject her products if they find her actions that objectionable. But those should be free choices, not a code enforced by some self-appointed morality police.

¡Basta, ya! Enough already! Leave the poor woman alone.