According to the www.washingtontimes.com, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner asked, who is going to jail over the scandal at the IRS?

I hope no one.

If they do go to jail, it should be for a crime. A scandal is a public embarrassment, such as when Tiger Woods was caught by his wife while cheating on her. Some states used to make that a crime, but no one wanted him to go to jail. He lost some endorsements and his swing, for a while, but he didn't commit a crime.

It's up to Congress to make a law that prevents such targeting of groups by the IRS, if there isn't such a law already. Let's make sure that is taken care of, Mr. Speaker.

As for firings, as many want, yes, that's appropriate for public embarrassment or hurting the trust people should have in your organization.

Penelope Soto, the 18-year-old girl charged with a prescription drug crime, became an Internet video and cable news sensation last week when she famously flipped off and swore at a judge during a video conference. She picked up a 30-day jail sentence after the judge called her back when she flipped him off.

Her tune changed. She apologized for the behavior, both to the judge and to her family, and the judge, noting too many people such as police officers and teachers receive too much abuse, lifted the jail term.

She avoided the full jail sentence for contempt of court after a hearing saw her appear in person in court. The girl's attitude, which earlier included playfully rubbing her fingers through her hair, laughing at the judge's questions and not answering questions about how much she owned, was much different and much more respectful at the follow up hearing.

Lessons, i suppose, can be learned.