John McCain would like the federal government to take over Major League Baseball because Bud Selig isn’t doing things the way McCain likes. No, that’s not how it’s being phrased. But McCain advocates MLB being more agressive in enforcing its own rules, and is willing to have the government take action to enforce them if he doesn’t.
All this because of a report, using what is purported to be leaked grand jury testimony, that Jason Giambi used steroids. A violation of MLB rules. Funny, I would think McCain should be more concerned about the fact that secret testimony was released illegally. Shouldn’t our government be more outraged at illegal activity than with alleged breaking of rules in a private organization?
Two issues are at play in this situation. The first is as outlined–steroid use in professional sports. The second is a continuation of the MSM hypocrisy. Bloggers can ruin someone’s career by spreading unsubstantiated claims about someone’s wrongdoing. MSM would never do that. Yet there is no substantiation of the claim Giambi used steroids and the story was picked up and spread throughout newsrooms within an hour.
Of course, human beings have no need for substantiation of something they already believe to be true. Another allegation is simply confirmation. Yet we would hope our “professionals” in MSM would be immune to this, and demand facts. Unfortunately, we know that isn’t the case. Whether it is Dan Rather or Bill O’Reilly, a story too good to pass up will not be stopped just for lack of fact.
And how will they handle McCain’s involvement? Steroids are not illegal. Use of steroids by athletes is not illegal. If McCain wants to make them illegal, he is in the right business. But he is not in the business of baseball, and needs to shut up or put up.
John McCain never saw a camera he didn’t like!
And don’t forget, it’s not the nature of the crime, but the seriousness of the charges!
Comment by DagneyT — December 6, 2004 @ 7:23 am
I hope he does push for something. Couple a politician’s desecration of a sacred game with with the S&L problems he had and he will crush his presidential bid.
Comment by Slice — December 6, 2004 @ 7:29 am
I was surprised at that statement, so I had to look it up, and it does turn out that you’re incorrect. In general, anabolic steriods are illegal under federal law and almost every state’s laws as well (I presume there are legal presciption or medical uses defined in the laws, of course). This site selling a book on the subject of steroid law has some more details; apparently, on the first of the new year, a new federal law kicks in that greatly expands the existing list of anabolic steroids that are officially controlled substances, and some very stiff penalties already exist in some states. So that may alter your opinion on McCain in this particular case.
In spite of all that, I am also very disappointed to not see more stories on why/how this supposedly-secret testimony was supposedly leaked. It’s disgraceful how news organizations pick up a story like this and try to cover their own asses by simply stating “XXX Newspaper is reporting that…”
Then again, I would also like to know why the provision even exists for such top secrecy on grand jury testimony. Got any good answers or resources for that?
Comment by Bogey — December 6, 2004 @ 3:07 pm
Obviously, I’m out of touch with the changes in laws. Previously, the use of steroids was limited to prescription use. There are quite a few, and include such things as asthma inhalants and cortisone used in joint problems.
As to altering my opinion of McCain, my issue with him is his threat that the federal government will step in to an issue of MLB rules. That’s why I stated he should be concerned with the laws instead. In my view, he is raising his profile right now in several ways, and I can only attribute his sudden interest in media attention to one thing.
The idea behind secret grand jury testimony is to make sure all information is provided to determine whether a trial is in order. The goal is to have non-interested parties look at available evidence for that determination, without the voir dire associated with jury trials. Wallace may be able to shed more light on that, as he just recently completed a term on his local grand jury. None of the testimony, as I understand it, is admissible in a trial, and all information must be resubmitted.
My complaint about the whole media issue is that they have done precisely what they (Bill O’Reilly is but one) have disparaged bloggers for this very thing. There is a case going before the Supreme Court soon which will make some judgement on the ability of a reporter to protect sources. Bloggers may be cited in the decision as well.
I have in mind a post on the topic I’ll try to get at tonight.
Comment by Mike — December 6, 2004 @ 3:56 pm
Fastest and easiest way to get MLB to clean their house, simply remove the absurd anti-trust exemption. The gutless wonders inside the beltway will never do that though.
Comment by Bubba Bo Bob Brain — December 8, 2004 @ 12:21 am
I don’t know hwo that would change this issue, but I understand the union desire to see it go away. I’ve never understood why professional athletes had a union. They want the benefits of union bargaining–except when bargaining their own individual contract. Don’t you wish you could do that?
Comment by Mike — December 8, 2004 @ 5:51 am