Posted on 03/18/2005 6:23:46 AM PST by MikeEdwards
It was quite the site to behold. There they sat; McGwire, Sosa, Schilling, Palmeiro, some of today’s superstars of baseball and quite possibly tomorrow’s Hall of Famers. But this moment wasn’t about double-plays or RBIs, and instead of home or away jerseys they were wearing pinstripes of the Brooks Brothers variety. These icons of the diamond – along with Frank Thomas who joined them by teleconference and Jose Canseco who sat shunned at the end of the table – were subpoenaed by the United States Congress to talk about steroid abuse in Major League Baseball. A disturbing thought for a couple of different reasons.
Normally when I see California Congressman Henry Waxman in front of a television camera I automatically assume that the “showboat” is preparing to leave the dock. Quite frankly, I don’t think there’s a cause that Waxman believes can’t be furthered along through congressional legislation. So the issue of steroid abuse in America’s pass-time and Waxman seemed a perfect fit. But the giants of baseball – and not the ones from San Francisco – didn’t give Waxman anything to work with. In fact, several times during the hearings members of the committee – professional politicians – commented on how “politician-like” some of the answers were. . . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at therant.us ...
I haven't followed this, but when I heard earlier this week that Congress was going to bring baseball players in to testify about steroid abuse I couldn't help but wonder if this doesn't go beyond the scope of what the federal govmint is supposed to be doing. It's too bad our lawmakers don't have real jobs they have to get back to ... they have too much time on their hands.
If they asked sports heroes to name those who take roids then this would smack of Steroid McCarthyism.
Like Congress doesn't have real issues to worry about.
If performance enhancing drugs are allowed or winked at, I say give Ben Johnson his medal back. Allow drugs in all sports. What the heck...our society is going down the tubes anyway with rampant illegality, profligacy and immorality. Major League Baseball clearly doesn't care, so let them wallow in their own cesspool.
Talk about grandstanding!! I object to any tax dollars being spent on the likes of this hearing! It was not only a non issue for Congress, it was a photo op for the press! There are many things these folks we elect should be doing, but questioning these guys on their use of steroids is not one of them. Businesses, unions and the like police their own with great success...for example (ALPA, the pilots union). That is exactly what professional sports, all of them should be doing...and the players and owners honestly know this...or SHUT DOWN THE GAMES!
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