What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

[Jistic]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

Baseball is a business just like any other business. I guess if you work for me and I havent given you a raise in 5 years then the government needs to step in and do something about it? Or better yet, what if my business is failing OR im not selling the brand of deodarant you like to buy, you gonna call the government andhave them step in?

No but if you have unfair hiring practices, sexual harrassment issues, or unsafe work enviroments, then yes the government is going to step in and do something. And they should. If half of the people working at your store are doing and/or selling illegal drugs, then yes the government is going to step in.

If baseball wants 'the government' to mind their own business then perhaps they won't mind if they lose their anti-trust exemption? Nope didn't think so.

[Jistic]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

Baseball is a business just like any other business. I guess if you work for me and I havent given you a raise in 5 years then the government needs to step in and do something about it? Or better yet, what if my business is failing OR im not selling the brand of deodarant you like to buy, you gonna call the government andhave them step in?

No but if you have unfair hiring practices, sexual harrassment issues, or unsafe work enviroments, then yes the government is going to step in and do something. And they should. If half of the people working at your store are doing and/or selling illegal drugs, then yes the government is going to step in.

If baseball wants 'the government' to mind their own business then perhaps they won't mind if they lose their anti-trust exemption? Nope didn't think so.

[sammyc521]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

If baseball wants 'the government' to mind their own business then perhaps they won't mind if they lose their anti-trust exemption? Nope didn't think so.

Amen brother.

If you think government has no right dealing with baseball, then you're allowing your political mindness cloud your judgement.

Since we all can agree that baseball is a game/business it is allowed to govern themselves to an extent, but since they practice their games on American soil, the United States government has the right to intervene.

But what does it really matter? Just because the government want baseball to clear up its game, what's the harm in that? Do you think as a fan of baseball, you should allow players to cheat you out of a level-played game?

[sammyc521]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

If baseball wants 'the government' to mind their own business then perhaps they won't mind if they lose their anti-trust exemption? Nope didn't think so.

Amen brother.

If you think government has no right dealing with baseball, then you're allowing your political mindness cloud your judgement.

Since we all can agree that baseball is a game/business it is allowed to govern themselves to an extent, but since they practice their games on American soil, the United States government has the right to intervene.

But what does it really matter? Just because the government want baseball to clear up its game, what's the harm in that? Do you think as a fan of baseball, you should allow players to cheat you out of a level-played game?

[mickj]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

But what does it really matter? Just because the government want baseball to clear up its game, what's the harm in that?

Because it is not a constitutional function of the government to interogate americans against their will on a subject that has nothing to do with the consitutional functions of government. Is getting rid of steroids in baseball a good thing? That's up for the fans and MLB to decide, not the government.

Since we all can agree that baseball is a game/business it is allowed to govern themselves to an extent, but since they practice their games on American soil, the United States government has the right to intervene.

Ummmm.... no they don't. See above. Unless you can find that amendment that authorizes congress to do what they are doing. Last time i checked it wasn't there.

Do you think as a fan of baseball, you should allow players to cheat you out of a level-played game?

If i am disgusted with the product MLB is feeding me then i will no longer consume that product. I have no right to cry and whine to the government to make them fix what i think is wrong with it. No one is holding a gun to your head to watch MLB games. If you don't like what the athletes are doing, then don't watch it.

[mickj]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

But what does it really matter? Just because the government want baseball to clear up its game, what's the harm in that?

Because it is not a constitutional function of the government to interogate americans against their will on a subject that has nothing to do with the consitutional functions of government. Is getting rid of steroids in baseball a good thing? That's up for the fans and MLB to decide, not the government.

Since we all can agree that baseball is a game/business it is allowed to govern themselves to an extent, but since they practice their games on American soil, the United States government has the right to intervene.

Ummmm.... no they don't. See above. Unless you can find that amendment that authorizes congress to do what they are doing. Last time i checked it wasn't there.

Do you think as a fan of baseball, you should allow players to cheat you out of a level-played game?

If i am disgusted with the product MLB is feeding me then i will no longer consume that product. I have no right to cry and whine to the government to make them fix what i think is wrong with it. No one is holding a gun to your head to watch MLB games. If you don't like what the athletes are doing, then don't watch it.

[SPTO]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

Because it is not a constitutional function of the government to interogate americans against their will on a subject that has nothing to do with the consitutional functions of government. Is getting rid of steroids in baseball a good thing? That's up for the fans and MLB to decide, not the government.

Uh? They're interogating the players against their will? Well let's see here Congress wanted to investigate the steroids issue in sports and to see how rampant it is. They simply ASKED the players to talk about the issue. They declined so since congress is doing an inquiry and investigation they issued subpoenas. I'm sure Ken Lay, Jeffrey Skilling and those types didn't want to go to Congress about cooking the books for Enron but they had to. I didn't hear many people saying "oh these guys are going against their will!"

Ummmm.... no they don't. See above. Unless you can find that amendment that authorizes congress to do what they are doing. Last time i checked it wasn't there.

Hmmm. I guess you would've supported the Trusts and Monopolies that were taking up the US economy and choking independent businesses becasue there's no ammendment to stop trusts etc etc. It may not be fair but sometimes government has to intervene when something is going on that's not in the common interest.

If i am disgusted with the product MLB is feeding me then i will no longer consume that product. I have no right to cry and whine to the government to make them fix what i think is wrong with it. No one is holding a gun to your head to watch MLB games. If you don't like what the athletes are doing, then don't watch it.

It's not a matter of public perception. The public may be apathetic to it all but again this is being done for the common good for the players' health,

[SPTO]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

Because it is not a constitutional function of the government to interogate americans against their will on a subject that has nothing to do with the consitutional functions of government. Is getting rid of steroids in baseball a good thing? That's up for the fans and MLB to decide, not the government.

Uh? They're interogating the players against their will? Well let's see here Congress wanted to investigate the steroids issue in sports and to see how rampant it is. They simply ASKED the players to talk about the issue. They declined so since congress is doing an inquiry and investigation they issued subpoenas. I'm sure Ken Lay, Jeffrey Skilling and those types didn't want to go to Congress about cooking the books for Enron but they had to. I didn't hear many people saying "oh these guys are going against their will!"

Ummmm.... no they don't. See above. Unless you can find that amendment that authorizes congress to do what they are doing. Last time i checked it wasn't there.

Hmmm. I guess you would've supported the Trusts and Monopolies that were taking up the US economy and choking independent businesses becasue there's no ammendment to stop trusts etc etc. It may not be fair but sometimes government has to intervene when something is going on that's not in the common interest.

If i am disgusted with the product MLB is feeding me then i will no longer consume that product. I have no right to cry and whine to the government to make them fix what i think is wrong with it. No one is holding a gun to your head to watch MLB games. If you don't like what the athletes are doing, then don't watch it.

It's not a matter of public perception. The public may be apathetic to it all but again this is being done for the common good for the players' health,

[brudjazz]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

I think it is quite right though, as this is a "private" business who should be allowed to police their own actions IAW the law of the land.

The problem is that Major League Baseball DOESN'T WANT TO police itself, because getting rid of steroids and even performance enhancers (NONE of that stuff should be allowed, play the game on your own merits) would cause the game to lose lots of money. Well, actually it would be athletes that lose a lot of money, because they wouldn't be hitting 70 homeruns per year. Were you salivating when McGwire beat the HR record? I surely hope not, for it was clear than that he was using steroids. Any fool that didn't know that is well.....a fool.

[brudjazz]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

I think it is quite right though, as this is a "private" business who should be allowed to police their own actions IAW the law of the land.

The problem is that Major League Baseball DOESN'T WANT TO police itself, because getting rid of steroids and even performance enhancers (NONE of that stuff should be allowed, play the game on your own merits) would cause the game to lose lots of money. Well, actually it would be athletes that lose a lot of money, because they wouldn't be hitting 70 homeruns per year. Were you salivating when McGwire beat the HR record? I surely hope not, for it was clear than that he was using steroids. Any fool that didn't know that is well.....a fool.

[glucklich]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

Uh? They're interogating the players against their will? Well let's see here Congress wanted to investigate the steroids issue in sports and to see how rampant it is. They simply ASKED the players to talk about the issue. They declined so since congress is doing an inquiry and investigation they issued subpoenas. I'm sure Ken Lay, Jeffrey Skilling and those types didn't want to go to Congress about cooking the books for Enron but they had to. I didn't hear many people saying "oh these guys are going against their will!"




Hmmm. I guess you would've supported the Trusts and Monopolies that were taking up the US economy and choking independent businesses becasue there's no ammendment to stop trusts etc etc. It may not be fair but sometimes government has to intervene when something is going on that's not in the common interest.

It's not a matter of public perception. The public may be apathetic to it all but again this is being done for the common good for the players' health,

Holy smoke! Where do I begin. First of all your comparison with Ken Lay is really way off the mark unless you happen to have lost money wagering on MLB because of steroids.

It is a matter of public perception. Whether or not Congress is misusing power is totally relevant. And comparing this issue with MLB with the monopolies is laughable. A person is far more likely to start a business that may one day compete with a large corporation than one is likely to play MLB baseball. Also, there are several examples that are more important and relevant to people and their every day lives that Congress chooses to ignore...until it becomes a media story (just like steroids in MLB baseball), which kind of makes that Jeremy Bentham-Greatest Good For Greatest Number stuff bunk.

[glucklich]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

Uh? They're interogating the players against their will? Well let's see here Congress wanted to investigate the steroids issue in sports and to see how rampant it is. They simply ASKED the players to talk about the issue. They declined so since congress is doing an inquiry and investigation they issued subpoenas. I'm sure Ken Lay, Jeffrey Skilling and those types didn't want to go to Congress about cooking the books for Enron but they had to. I didn't hear many people saying "oh these guys are going against their will!"




Hmmm. I guess you would've supported the Trusts and Monopolies that were taking up the US economy and choking independent businesses becasue there's no ammendment to stop trusts etc etc. It may not be fair but sometimes government has to intervene when something is going on that's not in the common interest.

It's not a matter of public perception. The public may be apathetic to it all but again this is being done for the common good for the players' health,

Holy smoke! Where do I begin. First of all your comparison with Ken Lay is really way off the mark unless you happen to have lost money wagering on MLB because of steroids.

It is a matter of public perception. Whether or not Congress is misusing power is totally relevant. And comparing this issue with MLB with the monopolies is laughable. A person is far more likely to start a business that may one day compete with a large corporation than one is likely to play MLB baseball. Also, there are several examples that are more important and relevant to people and their every day lives that Congress chooses to ignore...until it becomes a media story (just like steroids in MLB baseball), which kind of makes that Jeremy Bentham-Greatest Good For Greatest Number stuff bunk.

[Stu]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

Holy smoke! Where do I begin. First of all your comparison with Ken Lay is really way off the mark unless you happen to have lost money wagering on MLB because of steroids.

It is a matter of public perception. Whether or not Congress is misusing power is totally relevant. And comparing this issue with MLB with the monopolies is laughable. A person is far more likely to start a business that may one day compete with a large corporation than one is likely to play MLB baseball. Also, there are several examples that are more important and relevant to people and their every day lives that Congress chooses to ignore...until it becomes a media story (just like steroids in MLB baseball), which kind of makes that Jeremy Bentham-Greatest Good For Greatest Number stuff bunk.

You're correct in saying there are more important issues to look at but that doesn't tell the whole story. Many of the issues mentioned earlier in the thread don't fall under the scope of the congressional committee that is conducting the hearings. However, they have a sub committee that deals with drug policy, making the steroids issue well within their scope. Also, it is estimated that over 500,000 high schoolers have tried steroids making this a problem worth looking at.

You are correct in criticizing them for not stepping in until the steroids issue becamse a media story. Unfortunately that is the nature of our government. We choose to ignore real problems until something bad happens, then when it does we overreact.

[Stu]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

Holy smoke! Where do I begin. First of all your comparison with Ken Lay is really way off the mark unless you happen to have lost money wagering on MLB because of steroids.

It is a matter of public perception. Whether or not Congress is misusing power is totally relevant. And comparing this issue with MLB with the monopolies is laughable. A person is far more likely to start a business that may one day compete with a large corporation than one is likely to play MLB baseball. Also, there are several examples that are more important and relevant to people and their every day lives that Congress chooses to ignore...until it becomes a media story (just like steroids in MLB baseball), which kind of makes that Jeremy Bentham-Greatest Good For Greatest Number stuff bunk.

You're correct in saying there are more important issues to look at but that doesn't tell the whole story. Many of the issues mentioned earlier in the thread don't fall under the scope of the congressional committee that is conducting the hearings. However, they have a sub committee that deals with drug policy, making the steroids issue well within their scope. Also, it is estimated that over 500,000 high schoolers have tried steroids making this a problem worth looking at.

You are correct in criticizing them for not stepping in until the steroids issue becamse a media story. Unfortunately that is the nature of our government. We choose to ignore real problems until something bad happens, then when it does we overreact.

[glucklich]

Re: What is your take on the Congress and MLB?

You're correct in saying there are more important issues to look at but that doesn't tell the whole story. Many of the issues mentioned earlier in the thread don't fall under the scope of the congressional committee that is conducting the hearings. However, they have a sub committee that deals with drug policy, making the steroids issue well within their scope. Also, it is estimated that over 500,000 high schoolers have tried steroids making this a problem worth looking at.

You are correct in criticizing them for not stepping in until the steroids issue becamse a media story. Unfortunately that is the nature of our government. We choose to ignore real problems until something bad happens, then when it does we overreact.

OK, if Congress wants to make steroids a more serious drug by putting into another classification, they should. But they dont need Mark McGwire to do that. If they want to do something about steroid use in HSs then they should but Mark McGwire is not required to do that. There is a difference between the gvt working for you and you working for the gvt. Doing something about the problems is the former. Calling these people out to satisfy curiosity because, in part, Jose Canseco wrote a book qualifies as the latter.