Steroids and HGH: Doesn't Congress have better things to do?

Allegations of steroid abuse and the use of human growth hormone, commonly referred to as HGH, have rocked Major League Baseball and many other professional sports as of late.

Most notably Barry Bonds — baseball's all-time home run leader — is currently under indictment, not for steroid or HGH use, but for allegedly lying about it to that great body of moral rectitude that is the U.S. Congress.

Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens is now under investigation for pretty much the same offense as Bonds, lying to Congress, also known as perjury. Both steadfastly proclaim their innocence, claiming their seemingly peculiar longevity and stellar performance can be explained by state-of-the-art workout routines and by the modern miracles of dietary supplements.

I would like to now state that any use of illegal substances should, without doubt be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Unfortunately, that is not the way this drama is playing out. The House is more interested it seems, in having players just admit doing something they probably shouldn't have done, than going after the actual legality of the illegal drug use.

Since Andy Pettite, Jose Canseco and Chuck Knoblauch among others, have already confessed to the use of now-banned substances and are under no investigation, it sure seems to me that the H of R just wants players to "fess up" and all will be forgiven.

The Clemens case is even more bizarre than the Bonds' case. Recently, Clemens' main accuser, his former trainer Brian McNamee, is providing as "proof" that Clemens attended a 1998 party at the home of admitted steroid abuser Jose Canseco where the use of steroids and HGH was discussed.

In this story, McNamee weaves a story about Clemens' wife and Canseco's wife comparing the results of their recent breast augmentations. Not sure what that has to do with steroid abuse but hey, it got my attention.

The arguments against the use of HGH and steroids are many, stunted growth, hair loss, shrinking of testicles, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, just to name a few. But with many of today's professional athletes making tens of millions of dollars a year, is there any wonder why some, if not many, would wish to get back on the field sooner rather than later after an injury and earn their ridiculous salaries? Some may even feel obligated.

Is it really the place of Congress to be holding hearings on MLB or any other professional sports' ability to "properly" administer testing for performance-enhancing drugs?

With a national debt of over $9 trillion dollars, a war on terrorism raging at home and overseas, 47 million Americans lacking any kind of health insurance, and a mortgage and credit crisis threatening the very foundation of the U.S. economy, should Congress even be wasting their time on an issue of very little importance to the lives of average Americans?

Congress it seems is investigating whether or not certain players' have actually dared not tell the whole truth about things that should be between the players, their doctors and MLB alone. It is my belief that Congress has no right to be investigating things that should be a matter of medical privacy.

The most serious congressional accusers of Bonds and Clemens are from the Democratic Party, the party that most warmly welcomes abortion on demand under the guise of the "right to privacy." Can I be the only one who sees a tremendous amount of hypocrisy in this view?

With President George W. Bush's history of having been a part owner of a MLB team, the Texas Rangers — Bush owned approximately a 2 percent share of the team from 1989-95 — can the possibility not be raised that the political ramifications are less than subtle?

And let us not forget that it was less than 10 years ago that a president of the United States of America basically got off unscathed after being caught red-handed committing perjury. I'm not saying it's right, but the precedent has been set, like it or not.

Thank you William Jefferson Clinton.

Kurt Roberts can be reached at jkurtroberts@sbcglobal.net.

Reader Feedback

girard74 wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:36 AM:

" Waxman, along with the rest of the clan there in Washington are the reason why this session is a completely 'do-nothing Congress.' "

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commonsense1 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 4:58 PM:

" This is a horrible waste of taxpayer dollars. I am a staunch supporter of law enforcement, but this is a bad joke. To send Marion Jones to prison is criminal. Congressmen spending our tax dollars on this sham is criminal. What the hell are they doing calling Bonds, Clements, etc. to testify? All of the sports have governing bodies that can address these issues if they choose to. Stop pissing away our money. "

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sam wrote on Mar 7, 2008 7:13 PM:

" Giving the medals back was punishment and humiliating enough... why waste the prison space on her?

Hey, which senator or congressman have never lied? They believe their position is above reproach. I hate liars who try to condemn liars. "

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sam wrote on Mar 7, 2008 6:53 PM:

" Gator and S&W, amen. Marion Jones goes to prison for lying about steroids and Clinton lied about porking Monica and may soon be back in the White House as the First Lady (man). What is wrong with us??? "

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Gator wrote on Mar 7, 2008 3:32 PM:

" Talk about hitting the nail on the head, the wheels are falling off our Country and the
Best our Democratic Legislature is to investigate a bunch of overpaid Jocks. Oil is
106 a barrel and do we have an energy policy??I have just come back from 3 weeks
In a Country where Gas is 6.25 A gallon and there aren�t any big SUV�s or big
Pickup trucks. Beer is 5.00 a bottle, Bacon and eggs for 2 with Coffee is around
33-38.00 a nice plain dinner for 2 is in the 60-70.00 range What do we have to
Come to the rescue,are you kidding me, a cranky woman, an empty shirt and an
Older person and the same Congress and Senate. I�m sure glad I�m not twenty
Any more� "

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s & W 500 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 3:05 PM:

" Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids have been abused in sports for decades, HGH as well. Their used to be a certain gym in Lodi where you could buy them from the owner, (who happened to be in law enforcement) if you knew the right people.

Who is the biggest example for youth on what steroids can do? A hint:
"I'll be back!" At least he admitted using these DRUGS! Interestingly enough, he was on the President's Council for Fitness in the 80's, if I recall correctly!

"

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wtf wrote on Mar 5, 2008 9:45 AM:

" Great article Kurt aside from the fact that both Bush Jr. *and* Bill Clinton are destructive idiots....

Guess this is why Georgie's Dad likes Bill better. LOL!

http://graphics.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/05/25/1180094018_6553.jpg "

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