Brown Post
Ok, lets talk politics.I made the comparison today that the steroid users have done to baseball what slick Willie did to the presidency. I will back up that assertion thusly.
The steroid users in baseball appear to only be more concerned about appearance, and less concerned about the truth. Jason Giambi recently held a press conference in which he profusely apologized for something, but didn't admit using drugs - maybe he's actually got a conscience. Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire flat out deny any use of any controlled substance. This flies in the face of the sworn testimony of people involved, namely Jose Canseco. As long as they keep denying it, and even if they admit to it, there will be a large contingent of people who will either deny that there was ever any illegal activity, or not care if there was.
Bill Clinton was also more concerned with appearance and less concerned about truth. This philosophy was embodied best by the Monica Lewinsky scandal. In the face of sworn testimony and physical evidence that confirmed sexual activity, Willie denied everything - and even looked upset that he was being questioned. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky." Clinton carried on his sharade to the grand jury and perjured himself. All the way through the ordeal millions of people had themselves convinced that the scandal was an evil republican witch-hunt.
Most Clinton supporters don't get it. The argument against slick Willie was not about sex. Not until he was impeached and convicted did he admit to any wrongdoing, and only because he copped a plea to not be prosecuted when he left office.
The whole baseball thing could've been avoided by doing drug tests. Major League Baseball is just as weak today as the republican congress was from 1994-2000. Neither group is willing to hold 'one of it's own' to the fire, and I have a lower opinion of them for it.
posted by Aaron at 5/02/2006
10 Comments:
I voted yes, Bond's a juicer, I also agreed with your comparison. I do disagree with the following idea: only concerned about appearance and less concerned about the truth. I think both camps are concerned about the truth....concerned that they would lose their jobs/wife over the truth. In that regard both camps are concerned that the truth will hurt their livelihood. It's not that they choose to ignore the truth, they choose to hide it. I don't like the idea of any professional athlete using performance enhancing drugs of any kind....that includes legal ones like creatine, etc. I prefer they break records the old fashioned way: hard work, training, and skill. That way it's at least a somewhat level playing ground across history.
My stepdad has the same views about creatine/suppliments. he was once offered a job to sell some muscle pills for good money (he's one of those gym guys that work out for 4 hours) but refused a hefty salary because he didn't believe in taking suppliments. I really respected him for that.
i also think that the Willie issue was completely bogus. i was just as upset about the blatant lying as the rest of the country - but i really blame the media for making the story as big as it was to begin with. All men of power have the opportunity to cheat - heck All people in the spotlight - why did they make it into such a big deal? it only became BIG AFTER he tried to hide the truth to protect his livelihood and what he THOUGHT would put the situation to bed. (no pun intended).
I think i might be talking about 2 different things here - but since you started the comparison - do you think the media has as much to do with the steroid situation being blown out of control - or do you think that the media did a good thing by bringing this problem to the spotlight? Steroids have always been there, athletes have always taken them. Is this big hubbub going to change this - or are they just churning their wheels?
I got this in the email, I thought it would be appropriate to tack on to this post:
It doesn't matter what party you belong to - this is hilarious. From a
show on Canadian TV. there was a black comedian who said he misses Bill
Clinton.
"Yep, that's right - I miss Bill Clinton! He was the closest thing we
ever got to having a black man as President. Number 1 - He played the
sax. Number 2 - He smoked weed. Number 3 - He had his way with ugly
white women.
Even now? Look at him... his wife works, and he don't! And, he gets a
check from the government every month.
Manufacturers announced today that they will be stocking America's
shelves this week with "Clinton Soup," in honor of one of the nations'
most distinguished men. It consists primarily of a weenie in hot water.
Chrysler Corporation is adding a new car to its line to honor Bill
Clinton. The Dodge Drafter will be built in Canada.
When asked what he thought about foreign affairs, Clinton replied, "I
don't know, I never had one."
The Clinton revised judicial oath: "I solemnly swear to tell the truth
as I know it, the whole truth as I believe it to be, and nothing but
what I think you need to know."
Clinton will be recorded in history as the only President to do Hanky
Panky between Bushes."
I think athletes need to be taken to task for their cheating, but why is it the government's job to get involved? Isn't there a MLB Commissioner who should be holding hearings, doling out punishment? Can't they police themselves, or are they all too crooked?
As for Willie, if the under the desk antics weren't that big of a deal, why didn't he just admit he did it and move on? It was the lying under oath that did him in. Hilary is very aware of his many girlfriends and turns the other cheek, so it's not like that alone would have broken up their sham marriage.
Interesting...the word verification is now handicapable. It says it will read the letters to me. TIMMY!
~Jade
I'm glad you haven't been brainwashed by the Clintonistas Jade. You're exactly right about what did him in.
Bobby Ann Williams
Polly Kyle
Susan McDougal
Paula Jones
Gennifer Flowers
Monica Lewinski
Those are the women that have accused 'Bonking Bill' of inappropriate sexual activity. Slick Willie denies everything. Coincidence?
Cas, the Willie thing wasn't about cheating or sex. It was about purjury before a grand jury.
I'm more resentful of the media for things like the Scott Peterson trial, and the Duke rape case. The mainstream media were big supporters of Clinton, and defended him when given the chance. I do think it's a big deal when a president attempts to use executive priviledge to shield himself from prosecution, and generally thumbs his nose at justice - for which he is the ultimate arbiter in our country.
Hey guys, don't be afraid to vote...
My last poll only had one vote, myself.
Cas, not all athletes take steroids. Most world-class competitive leagues have mandatory tests for performance enhancing drugs - this includes the NFL and NBA, not to mention the Olympics. The MLB players union has fought to keep the players free of any such incumberances.
It was a big deal in late 80's/early 90's when McGuire and Canseco were each hitting 30 home runs a year for the A's. In the rest of the 90's McGuire didn't do shit. How the hell can this guy come out of nowhere, 10 years later, and double his homerun output?
Why did they do what they did? Like everybody else, they thought they could get away with it. Bill Clinton and Pete Rose came clean. Someday the others will to. Someday the MLB players union will give in to testing.
im so screwed, i like blowjobs, used to like drugs, and still like cigars maybe i should take my name out of the hat for the next election.
Poll Results:
Do you think Barry Bonds is a juicer?
Yes
3 (100 %)
No
0 (0 %)
I drink juice, is that illegal?
0 (0 %)
Whatever
0 (0 %)
Total votes: 3
Do you agree with my comparison?
Yes
3 (100 %)
No
0 (0 %)
Right-wing fascist
0 (0 %)
Whatever
0 (0 %)
Total votes: 3
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