Posted on 06/10/2002 7:07:33 PM PDT by GeneD
WASHINGTON -- Congress is going to look into steroid use in baseball, following the recent disclosure that two former league MVPs used the muscle-building drugs.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said Monday he plans to hold a hearing that also will look at steroid use in the Olympics and among college athletes. Dorgan is chairman of the consumer affairs, foreign commerce and tourism subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee.
"Everybody knows how damaging use of these steroids are to athletes' health," Dorgan said. "We've got an issue to face as a country, not just among baseball players, but also with college sports and our Olympic athletes."
No date has been set for the hearing. Dorgan said he plans to invite baseball executives, players and union representatives.
Lucy Calautti, a Washington-based baseball lobbyist who once served as Dorgan's chief of staff, and Greg Bouris, spokesman for the Major League Baseball Players Association, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Steroids have become a major topic in baseball since former MVPs Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco admitted using the drugs. Caminiti retired last year, and Canseco ended his 17-year career this spring.
It's unclear how many current players take steroids. Canseco told The Wall Street Journal up to 85 percent took the drugs when he played, though current players such as Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine say that estimate is far too high.
The NFL and NBA prohibit steroids and test for them, but major league baseball does not. Baseball owners would like to add steroid testing into the new collective bargaining agreement.
Minor league baseball players who test positive for steroid use can be banned.
If enough people lost money on the horse race last Saturday, they'll hold a hearing.
SHEEEEESH!!! The Mass-Murderin' Rapist, "Slick Willie" Clinton, Treasonously sells our most-sensitive Nuclear Secrets to our Number One Geopolitical Adversary--the Communist Chinese--and we can't muster the Senate's attewntion long enough to hold one friggin' hearing!! But a private industry has internal health issues to deal with in their upcoming Labor Negotiations and the Effete Elite Senators can't wait to get their disgusting mugs in front of the camera!! What's wrong with this picture?!
FReegards...MUD
I don't feel like contributing today. ~~~ Wait until you see "Unable to locate server"
I don't have money. ~~~ Help with the fundraiser. Bump the threads, ping your FRiends.
There's plenty of time to donate. ~~~ Bill collectors don't see it that way.
I don't know where to contribute. ~~~ Credit card, mail: FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794 , Paypal: JimRob@psnw.com
I've got too many other things to do first. ~~~ Don't we all?
I can't contribute much, what's five dollars. ~~~ If everyone contributed one dollar a month, we'd never have a fundraiser again.
The dog ate my credit card. ~~~ Shoot the dog.
Just let me finish freeping. ~~~ BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Don't wait until it's too late. Do it today. Do it now! Before they bring out the cheerleaders! Free Republic is funded solely by us. It's up to us to keep it running. Do your part, contribute if you can. Bump the fundraising threads. Help keep this place alive!
It's pro sports for God's sake. If it is corrupt then don't buy a ticket or watch it on TV.
Can we really afford to waste tax money on this?
"I might ask you, Senator Clinton, what kind of steroids you've been using to get an @ss that looks like THAT."
I do...especially if they really cause the long-term damage they're accused of. If we allow unlimited use of potentially deadly and/or harmful drugs just because they provide temporary athletic enhancement, the pressure's gonna be towards everybody doing them to stay competitive. If I was a professional athlete with a family and post-career life to consider, I'd deeply resent folks who cared only for the present, and would push my Union to promote random testing.
"Whether they do or not isn't the business of congress. It is up to the leagues and associations."
Absolute 100% agreement...then again, it's ridiculous that the U.S. Congress has become so vacuous that butting into something like this appears the least bit appealing!! What a bunch of self-important boobs!!
FReegards...MUD
Years ago as kids we used to make dandelion wine (shame on us). But it was cheap, good and we got pretty ripped off of it. They'd probably hold hearings on that too except I think they're drinking it themselves.
Interstate Commerce, my FRiend...the excuse that Congress continually uses to make the 9th and 10th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution NULL and VOID!!
FReegards...MUD
You are right on that, I tried them for a few months when I was about 20 to build my muscles and it works but it also makes a person more aggressive. I think they should be outlawed in baseball but like you said what's Congress got to do with it?
Great. Just make sure the list includes Conseco, Camenetti, Barry Bonds and certain Red Sox types.
And little Tommy has decided to take up Hate Crimes legislation...yeah, way to go there Tom. Sheesh...I'm beginning to hate the Senate as much as I hate the press.
The Federal Guv'ment has no business getting involved in any event. Fact is, the only way to really "WIN" the WOD is via the Demand route. My ol' man used to be an officer on Navy carriers and in the early 80's, they had a real problem with drug abuse (20-30%, depending on the ship). So, they instituted random drug-testing and they got usage down to less than 3% in less than a year. You can't convince me the politicos don't know about this option...they'd just rather have the unquestioned Power the WOD provides them.
"But, I understand that stupid people do stupid things. I don't have any desire to save stupid people from themselves."
Hey, all I ask is that they randomly test welfare recipients so as to insure that my tax dollars don't go to some pusher to pay off some slackard's drug debt!!
"If I had a vote, I'd also ban steroids from sports."
Yep...MUD
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.