armani suits and steroids
by Justin Roper
Published: May 21, 2008
Economists claim that we’re headed into the biggest recession since The Great Depression, our government has spent over $500,000,000 in Iraq, and homes are headed into foreclosure faster than you can spell ARM. But all Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) wants to do is reopen Spygate: the closed NFL case regarding the New England Patriots and their video cameras.
Being a Cowboys fan, I understand the frustration that Specter must be going through after his Steelers were defeated by the Pats in the 2004 AFC Championship Game, followed by the devastating loss the Eagles took in the Super Bowl. However, I have my priorities in line, and I don’t attempt to waste taxpayer’s money on totally irrelevant issues. I’m sure while Sen. Specter parades around Pennsylvania and Washington in Armani suits, men and women who spent the night at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia, without a pillow or blanket, can’t wait to see hundreds of thousands of dollars poured into a fund to find out whether or not Bill Belichick had Matt Walsh film a series of walk-through practices.
At a May 14th press conference regarding the subject, Specter said, “After a lot of consideration, it’s my judgment there ought to be an impartial investigation, an outside investigation, like the investigation baseball had with the help of former Sen. George Mitchell.”
First of all, the topic of steroids in baseball and filming practices are two entirely different subjects with varying levels of legal importance. Although I don’t agree with Congress providing monetary supplements to George Mitchell for his “steroids in baseball” investigation, at least the substance in question was illegal by the laws of state and federal constitutions alike. And Congress had a leg to stand on when it defended the investigation by portraying the fact that learning more about steroids, its consumption and accessibility would help them to understand and deter the use of the substance across America. Let’s face it, after the deaths of many high school athletes who took steroids, it’s difficult to ignore the problem. However, the “supposed” filming of rival team’s practices in no way, shape or form causes harm to any of the good citizens of America (Steelers and Eagles excluded).
Specter went on to say, “If the NFL does not agree to commission a Mitchell-type report then it’s up to Congress to investigate and take corrective action.”
Hmmm. Well, as long as we’re using that logic, I wonder if the people at Webster’s Dictionary will agree to commission a report as to why the president can’t correctly pronounce the word “nuclear.” If not, then it will be up to Congress to take corrective action! Unfortunately, though, it’s not illegal to be dumb, so no investigation on the president’s barnyard speech has nor ever will be mounted. He represents the nation poorly by sounding like an illiterate on international television, and in seven and a half years no one has corrected him. No one has corrected him because it’s not illegal. Therefore, a matter such as filming practice sessions, which are also not illegal by state or federal law, definitely does not warrant Congressional attention.
Does Sen. Specter really not have anything better to do with his time? While the rest of his GOP cohorts are out finding ways to jack up the prices of oil and prop up greedy lending institutions, Specter sits around reliving the glory days of JV football. It really wouldn’t be fair to the argument if I didn’t downplay the significance of filming anyway. I played quarterback for ten years, and let me be the first to tell you: if a Coach doesn’t change his signals all the time, he’s an idiot and doesn’t deserve to be coaching period. Any knowledgeable football mind would say the same.
The only NFL coach that came forward and presented evidence against the Patriots was Eric Mangini, current head coach of the New York Jets and former assistant to Belichick in New England. Contradictory to popular thought, it wasn’t Belichick who was black-balled by other NFL teams and coaches, it was Mangini for being a snitch! Why? Everybody does it! From college teams to NFL teams, coaches send their camera men up to the booth to film the opposing sideline for any advantage they may be able to use in the future. No other NFL teams spoke up because they didn’t want a broad investigation into the matter; a lot more teams and coaches would have been found guilty of the same practice.
I’d like to congratulate the citizens of Pennsylvania for voting for such an in-depth, go-getting senator. There are high school student council’s around the globe that would be proud to have him serve on their committees. Thank goodness, as of yet, no investigation has been mounted. Specter was quick to confirm he did not have the “factual basis” for a hearing before the Judiciary Committee. “But I don’t want people to think that we’re backing off,” he said. Sound familiar? From Iraq to Spygate, it’s just more of the same.
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May 22nd, 2008 at 3:51 am
I agree with you completely. Some of the things Congressional investigative hearings have dealt with have been a complete waste of time and waste of taxpayer money. It almost seems like a diversion from real problems or a chance for congressmen/senators to draw attention to themselves. Eastland v. United States affirmed that Congress had the authority to issue subpoenas when there is a necessary legislative remedy to be found. I don’t think the steroids fiasco or this proposed investigation will amount to any significant legislative reform. Its more of just a witch hunt to go after a few individuals, rather than a real societal problem. We haven’t learned from McCarthyism.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Spector is being paid by someone to do that. I have to assume that only a man being paid would take sucha stupid stance.