There's a pretty good piece in Slate today discussing how "Obstruction of justice has basically cemented its place in the law-enforcement playbook as the new tax evasion" -- it's the one charge the feds will get you on if they can't nail you for the big stuff.

It hits on the thought I had following the Martha Stewart case. There was all this talk by the prosecutors about how this shows that no one is above the law, and people will learn that you can't steal and lie.

Actually what any smart person would learn from this is that you should never, ever talk to the police or investigators. The minute the feds show up at your door you should shut your mouth until your lawyer shows up.