Josh Green reports on what happens when professional sports and professional politics collide.
« Iraq in 2008 (And Beyond) | Main | Advising Hillary » Roger's Version14 Feb 2008 11:57 am Comments (9)
As a Red Sox fan and a member of the reality-based community, I yield to no one in my dislike of Roger Clemens. And I would not be surprised, to put it mildly, to find out that he has used steroids. And this is a colossal waste of time. I blame the union more than the owners, TBML&J, but whatever, yesterday's hearing was just a show, targeting one guy. Total nonsense, a total embarrassment. Green is right that "Pro athletes like Clemens are deities in their own world and rarely challenged." Pete Rose, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds have been coddled since they were about 8 years old. They had very good reason to believe they could get away with whatever they wanted to. But sometimes that ride ends. 
Both Waxman and Specter, two lightweight clowns, are enamored of their governmental power. As the years go by, Americans become inured to these media and governmental spectacles. Anyone who doubts this should read the next to last chapter in Jonah Goldberg's Liberal Fascism, "We are all Fascists Now," i.e. let the state solve all of our problems, including the tawdry aspects of sport.
Hmm... I am really skeptical about this... but it would be irresponsible not to speculate. Why the heck were all the Republicans on the panel so eager to carry water for Clemens yesterday? I had attributed it to their unerring instinct for supporting the side of wrong and evil, but it's plausible that they were just following marching orders. Good gravy, Peter Leavitt. Are you being serious with that Goldberg reference? I'll let ML&J respond.
Elvis, another option would be to read Goldberg's seminal book.
As a Jays' fan, I can't stand Clemens even though he had two fantastic seasons for us. I honestly think that if he were allowed, he would auction himself off per start to the highest bidder. And as a former undersized high school and college ballplayer, I certainly don't carry any water for pumped-up roiders or other cheaters. But I definitely agree that yesterday was completely ridiculous. What was the purpose of singling out one player, except to set him up for perjury charges later, just to take down a big name? The whole thing just seems silly and talking about what was done or said in 1999 obscures the central issue, which is whether baseball has done enough now to address the problem.
About all you really need to say about Peter Leavitt and Jonah Goldberg's book is that old Petey refers to a book that's been out for a couple of weeks as "seminal." I guess Petey also forgets which party was in control of things when these asinine steroid hearings began, and how Dumbya Bush got into the fray by insisting that his "good buddy" Rafael Palmeiro would never use steroids. I don't remember a follow-up from Dumbya after Mr. Viagra had the positive test for muscle juice. But there is good news for at least one member of the Bush family - the Texas law against dildos has been overturned, so Laura has something to smile about.
Moe, not having read Goldberg's book, you don't have a clue about it. Thomas Sowell remarked as follows on it: This is the sort of book that challenges the fundamental assumptions of its time — and which, for that reason, is likely to be shunned rather than criticized. ....
Here's Thomas Sowell on Petey's other favorite author: "Dorothy Parker's sharp-witted writings used to cut through a lot of nonsense. Ann Coulter is the Dorothy Parker of our time -- an industrial strength Dorothy Parker." Thomas Sowell - 8-29-06 I suggest that Thomas Sowell would praise the droppings of a rabid skunk if it were rambling to the right when it took its dump.
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What a completely ridiculous waste of time. If they're going to engage in a witch hunt among the players, they should also drag in owners (including former Sammy Sosa/Rafael Palmeiro employer Dumbya Bush) and see what those duplicitous fools knew and when they knew it. This is pure election year politics and given that these are the same pols who couldn't be bothered to provide oversight while Halliburton and gang stole billions, it's a disgrace.
Posted by TheBannedMoeLarryAndJesus | February 14, 2008 1:06 PM