Have you ever needed forgiveness for a mistake? Repented and received no mercy?

Did you see the pain in the face of Marion Jones this week during her press conference?

6 months in prison for lying to federal investigators about using steroids, HGH, and other banned substances

Here is what she originally said when she denied all allegations

CLIP 1

But after months of investigation she finally admitted to it

CLIP 2

So here she sits – 6 months in prison

To be followed by 400 hours of community service for each of next two years

Marion Jones – Olympic sprinter

Winner of 5 gold medals at Sydney in 2000

Has been financially wrecked

Reputation and name forever sullied if not ruined

Publicly humiliated in every way imaginable

And now living with husband in 1200 SF home with 4 year old son, and 7 month old son who is still nursing

She is a stay at home mom – nearly broke

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas said he gave her the maximum under the plea deal to send a message to athletes who have abused drugs and overlooked the values of "hard work, dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship."

Unilike Martha Stewart, she did not go all the way to trial – wasting millions of dollars

She came clean

Unlike Barry Bonds, she is not sitting pretty, soaking in millions, setting records while the evidence mounts, and in complete denial, facing perjury charges

Marion Jones came clean

And now she will be separated from her kids – with nothing left

No wonder she sounded like this

CLIP 3

She has been leveled, humbled, and dishonored now

As she lies in the street beaten and kicked, judge now comes and puts heel of his shoe in her face and digs it in as wiggles it for extra effect

Shame on him – this goes way beyond justice

Marion has been punished enough

Time for a little mercy

Have you ever made a mistake where folks kept piling on?

Ever begged for mercy and received nothing but stones?

Ever had to forgive someone when no one else would?





Misc.

Martha Stewart – 5 months in prison, 5 months home confinement and she went to trial and was convicted of essentially same thing

Forgiveness book – points

Paulk – probation and $1000 in case he was involved in