OK, i realize that drug use is a problem in any sport, but can someone please explain to me why congress seems to equate the national pastime as important as national security. They are wasting are tax money on something that is none of their concern other than the fact that they can. Last I checked, congress had no business making sure that this “sport” was not being overran by juiced up apes. End rant
http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/03/16/steroids.baseball/index.html
I agree. IMO, it will be difficult to find someone that will argue that whether or not Mark McGwire was on steroids when he broke the record in 97 is a matter of the federal government.
One of the dolts in Congress who is leading this fiasco cited chapter and verse of the charter that allow them to hold the hearings. Basically the charter says they can hold a hearing any time, any place, about anything they want.
He proclaimed this on one of the Sunday morning news shows, and with such eerie pride.
If memory serves me congress controls baseball. At some point Baseball gave a controlling interest to congress so it could remain a monoply.
Reason 1 billion why baseball sucks.
but can someone please explain to me why congress seems to equate the national pastime as important as national security.
It’s a joke. A complete travesty.
On the other hand, everyone’s favorite senator, McCain is leading the charge here, so I guess that must mean it’s a good idea. Moderate, reasonable, a Republican but not a stupid bigot, never panders, and all that. Boy, I only wish he could be elected president.
Let me repeat. The goverment is envolved in baseball legally so it can remain a monopoly.
So, what are you saying? Congress rules baseball sort of like it governs the city of DC?
Do you have a source? The only thing I can find on it is about how major league baseball used to be “the only industry in the United States that is exempt from the antitrust laws without being subject to alternative regulatory supervision.” (Or it might still be, I’m not sure. But either way, I can’t find anything about Congress having a controlling share of major league baseball.)
Ken Burn’s Baseball on PBS. Had a whole episode about it. One of the commisioners killed any other leagues from forming by getting the goverment involved.
Baseball an un-American sport. It sucks ass.
I would think that congress has a few other items more imprtant than steroids n basebell. Maybe social security, educational standards, national security. etc. nah, baseball is the highest priority.
I am ashamed of my government at times. This is one of those times.
This reminds me of the time that I heard a Michigan legislators complaining about how they needed to do something about a Deja Vu sign on the freeway outside of Lansing (our state capitol). I thought that if that was all that this guy had left to work on, then it was time for them all to go home and stop spending our money. I think the same here.
Baseball is like Congress’ mis behaving step child. Baseball runs around the house screaming and wont stop no matter what congress does. Congress is putting its foot down. I dont mind hearings, I dont like Grand-Standing.
I do wish Mcain would run for Prez.
" I would think that congress has a few other items more imprtant than steroids n basebell. Maybe social security, educational standards, national security. etc. nah, baseball is the highest priority."
I just read that some 500,000 high schoolers have used steroids. Still think it’s not an important issue? Or do you think the two (steroid use in baseball and in youth) are unrelated?
Basically the charter says they can hold a hearing any time, any place, about anything they want.
He proclaimed this on one of the Sunday morning news shows, and with such eerie pride.
Say that too, it about sent coffee right through the nose. It was either Meet the Press or This Week
Ken, is this twice in one week I agree with you?
Steroids are a serious issue. Congress has every right to investigate. Sure, they should have more serious things to do like SS and the like, but those aren’t getting done anyway.
The investigation has already uncovered the fact that players can pay their way out of being causght for nominal money rather than face suspension. The recently enacted drug policy is a joke, all for reasons that were kept secret.
As far as Congressional investigations go, this one is actually pretty good. Of course, that is not saying much.
Congress has an obligation to set national drug abuse policy. They need to investigate to do it intelligently. Let them do this. Otherwise, they will just spend their time finding new ways to tax and spend. This is harmless.
I do have to admit though that I have been listening to Henry Waxman for 30 years now, and his appearance on Meet the Press last week was the first time I ever agreed with him on anything, so I am probably wrong about all of the above.
I don’t know if this is the Best use of Congress’s time, but this is a fairly minor committee, and Baseball does have Anti-trust protection afforded by the govt, so I’d say the govt has a vested interest in finding out to what extent baseball is saturated with systematic use of illegal substances used to increase the level of play, which leads to bigger stats, which leads to more excitement, which leads to higher attendance, which leads to higher revenues for owners.
Steroid use is a personal choice.
It is not the governemnts role to tell me what I can and cannot do to my body as long as know one else gets hurt by what I am doing. Stupidity cannot be legislated.
500,000 kids “used” steroids. Number may be high. Kids have a tendency to lie to pollsters in order to appear trendy and cool.
National defense and social security affect 300 million americans. Yeah, I still think their priorities are out of line.
Not to change the subject but if 500,000 kids have tried steroids I have to ask. Where are the parents of these kids? Steroids have definite physical and personality manifestations. Steroids are expensive. Where are the parents?
"t is not the governemnts role to tell me what I can and cannot do to my body as long as know one else gets hurt by what I am doing. Stupidity cannot be legislated. "
Except that they can, and they do, all the time. You can’t do cocaine. You can’t smoke in a restaurant in some states. You can’t use asbestos in construction.
So, it is your position that any and all substances should be legalized? This includes marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstacy, and the like? Is it also your position that everyone should be allowed to take any substance that helps them do their job, such as playing baseball? Even if it means that others of equal or greater talent, but who choose not to endanger their health, are effectively shut out of that profession?
Is it also your position that the government (at the federal, state, and local level) should not provide health services to anyone whose health may (or may not) have been damaged or destroyed by such substances? Say, at an emergency room of your municipal hospital, funded through tax dollars?
Is it also your position that one should be able to engage in any activity, as in driving a car for example, while under the influence of any substance, as long as nobody else gets hurt? Think of that football player whose career was ended by Bill Romanowski’s punch, while the latter was, most likely, using steroids.
Just think how much a War on Steroids would accomplish.
It would get rid of steroids just like we’ve gotten rid of marijuana, cocaine, meth, etc…
I can’t wait.
I agree completely. I find that any effort labeled “The War on …” where “…” is some intangible enemy (think Drugs, Terror), is a joke.