March 6, 2008
Weiner Calls For Stop to Clemens Inquiry
If you're one of those people that think the FBI has better things to do than investigate Roger Clemens, you have an ally in Washington DC. Congressman Anthony Weiner voiced his opinion on the investigation into Clemens. Weiner sent a letter to the Attorney General questioning the benefit of continuing the investigation into Clemens’ testimony to Congress, saying "Whether or not Roger Clemens may have committed perjury should not compete with real national security threats for the FBI’s time, attention and resources.”
In a statement to the AP, Weiner said, “Roger Clemens has been shamed. I think the public record is replete with examples of how he did not likely tell the truth. What is the public benefit of continuing with an FBI investigation?”
Weiner is absolutely right, the FBI has much better ways to spend their time than investigating Clemens, but at the same time, you should not be allowed to lie to Congress and get away with it. Clemens should work a deal out with the FBI where he agrees to admit that he lied, but gets to stay out of jail. But, that’s not going to happen. Clemens, and his lawyers, have chosen this course and he will have to live with the consequences.
Photo of Roger Clemens during a workout by AP/David J. Phillip
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this is the first thing I've ever agreed with Weiner on.
I hate Clemens with the undying passion of a thousand burning suns ... or at least, I really don't like the dude, and haven't since he got fat and lazy on the Sox's payroll and then decided to juice up and win a bunch of Cy Youngs after they got rid of him.
Yet even I think this is an incredible, ridiculous waste of Congress's time. He took steroids. There is no question about this. So did virtually EVERYONE ELSE in baseball over the last decade. Anyone left surprised or even upset by this is an idiot, and blowing government time on it is disgusting.
They really need to go after those liars who have affected the lives of millions, like Bush and Cheney.
Those asshats have lied to everyone.
Clemens is incapable of feeling shame. Should be obvious by now.
Clemens is incapable of feeling shame. Should be obvious by now.
Again, considering that MLB gets an antitrust exemption from the Federal government and the stadiums are largely funded by local and state taxpayers either directly or through tax free municipal bonds I think the government has every right to investigate. What is disgusting is that almost nothing will change. I'd be happier if the antitrust exemption were revoked and all sports teams had to pay for their own arenas and stadiums. Then I wouldn't care who was juiced or lying about it.
And Weiner playing the fear card is also disgusting:
"Whether or not Roger Clemens may have committed perjury should not compete with real national security threats for the FBI’s time, attention and resources.”
As if every FBI agent only works counter terrorism.
He is totally spot on. This is a sham and a waste of time and money. I would rather the FBI be investigating Bud Selig and found out exactly how much he knew about the steroids being used by players in the sport he was supposed to be overseeing, and to what extent he may have even, if not encouraged it, knowingly allowed it to happen unpunished. Donald Fehr too for that matter. And all the franchise owners.
This is typical US Government sucking up to corporate capitalist culture, singling out and scapegoating labor while letting management and ownership get a free pass and a reputation whitewashing. Disgusting.
I agree that the whole MLB is an incredible waste of time and resources. On the other hand, I don't think perjury should be summarily dismissed. However, this is more a story about Weiner. That guy never misses a chance to grab the spotlight. I am repulsed and impressed by it at the same time.
SP, I have to give it to you. Calling Clemens "labor". That's a good one. Poor Clemens. Worked so hard all his life. Sweat and toiled for the American dream. Gets thrown under the bus by the man. Can't the working man get a break.
where was weiner when it was bonds on the stand? The FBI is huge. It's like saying the police shouldn't crack down on graffiti or noise complaints cause they should just go after drug dealers. No wonder weiner lost whatever he ran for.
Didn't a bomb go off in Times Square or something?
i agree with my weiner almost all the time
What else would you call him and the players? They are the ones on the field, doing the work. Yes they get paid millions of dollars. And yes they are the ones doing the drugs. But the owners and the MLB directors were the ones who were in a jam after the strike and needed to get asses back into the seats. I think they are just as responsible as the players for the roids era. I'm sure they played a big part in convincing the players into taking them, to get more K's, to hit more homeruns, and generate excitement to get fans back into the stadiums, paying ridiculous money for tickets, beer, hotdogs and everything else. To think that the players are the only ones to profit from increased performance is a sign of mental retardation. You should get that checked out by the way. And yes, Clemens worked very hard his entire career, as hard or harder than any athlete does, clean or not. Steroids and HGH dont just magically make you into a world class athlete. You still have to work very hard at it. Doesnt mean he isnt a scumbag or a cheater. But Selig and the owners are guilty of a greater crime, in my opinion.
Congress should remove MLB's antitrust exemption, and then have nothing to do with sports entertainment. Let the Major Leagues of Steroids flourish, along with the Clean League of Organized Baseball - and let the fans decide.
SP, didn't the players' union block any attempts at regular testing for banned substances?
"... ones on the field, doing the work". Ah, you mean the field crew. The groundskeeper. Or the trainer. (Oops, that could be the dealer.) You know, working-class guys, no? No, that's not what you meant. You think the baseball union is just like any other union?
So don't want the FBI investigating Clemens but they should investigate Fehr and Selig for what crimes exactly?
And there's more than a little revisionist history about this. Not till 2 years ago did many people think that pitchers would be involved with steroids or HGH. And if the logic of the conspiracy to juice up in the 90s in the MLB is correct ... only hitters would be doing it. Cuz chicks dig home runs, right? Get more Ks? You're kidding.
They'll frame him up like they do with everybody.
They'll frame him up like they do with everybody.
Your implication that being a major league baseball player is not a lot of hard painful work, especially if you are a starting pitcher or every day position player, further proves how retarded you are.
And how exactly is what I wrote revisionist history? Please explain.
"Not till 2 years ago did many people think that pitchers would be involved with steroids or HGH."
Which "many people" are you talking about? Most people are complete fucking morons, yourself included obviously.
Martha Stewart went to jail for lying to the feds. Marion Jones is going to jail for lying to the feds. Roger Clemens should go to jail for lying to the feds.
Obviously, Weiner is a dick.