There appears to be some concern about whether some baseball players have been ingesting a performance enhancing sustance called steroids. A recent book (no link, thank you very much) by a former major leaguer has alleged such use. Some players have admitted mistakes. And some are ready to move on.
Time for Congress to save the children and baseball. Nothing about apple pie or motherhood in Representative Davis’s press release:
Today Chairman Tom Davis
(R-VA) and Ranking Minority Member Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) announced a
hearing on Major League Baseball’s recently negotiated steroids policy.
The hearing will focus on how the testing policy will be implemented,
and how it will effectively address the use of prohibited steroids by
players.
Maybe they’ll tackle apple pie and motherhood on Friday.
"Some have asked why a congressional hearing is a good idea, why it’s
necessary," said Rep. Davis. "First, there’s a cloud over baseball, and
perhaps a public discussion of the issues, with witnesses testifying
under oath, can provide a glimpse of sunlight. Second, I’m extremely
concerned about the message being sent to children. We have a
responsibility to help educate all Americans but especially young
people who admire and emulate their heroes–about the very real health
risks associated with steroid use. We can help kids understand that
steroids aren’t cool.
Ah, it’s always about the children. Though it’s hard to understand why a Congressional hearing will reduce the coolness of steroid use. Especially when many of the players they’ll be hearing from are future Hall of Famers.
I particularly like the name of the committee. It’s the Government Reform Committee. Maybe they could hold hearings on why the Government Reform Committee is holding hearings on steroids. The press release could read something like this:
Today Chairman Tom Davis
(R-VA) and Ranking Minority Member Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) announced a
hearing on why the House Government Reform Committee is wasting its time prying into stuff that is none of the business of Congress. The hearing will focus on how the hearing policycame to be implemented,
and how it will effectively address the use of absurd hearings by publicity hungry representatives.
"Some have asked why a congressional hearing is a good idea, why it’s
necessary," said Rep. Davis. "First, there’s a cloud over Congress and
perhaps a public discussion of the issues, with witnesses testifying
under oath, can provide a glimpse of sunlight. Second, I’m extremely
concerned about the message being sent to children. We have a
responsibility to help educate all Americans but especially young
people who admire and emulate their heroes–about the very real
risks associated with the abuse of Congressional power. We can help kids understand that the Constitution is cool.
My earlier take on steroids is here.
