Mr. Clemens Goes to Washington, Why?

By sinde on February 14th, 2008

We have the FISA bill creating “one nation under surveillance”. We have all but forgotten our war in Afghanistan. We watch a silent television screen at the end of a news broadcast honoring our fallen in Iraq. Americans are losing their homes to foreclosure due to subprime mortgage lenders that should be under investigation. We have an economy that has not hit bottom yet. I could go on and on.

And, yesterday Mr. Roger Clemens was in Washington to defend himself against allegations of steroid use before Congress. The room was filled. Clemens’ trainer, Brian McNamee, said he injected the pitcher with steroids and has the five year old syringe and gauze to prove it. For anyone who understands “contamination” and “chain of custody” that has to be a highlight of the testimony against Clemens. Then Clemens asked the age old question, “how do you prove you didn’t do something?”

So, at the end of the day, it was a pissing match. Rep. Henry Waxman and other representatives on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee quizzed, questioned and chastised the witnesses. There were reportedly FBI agents present to see if either of the men testifying could be charged with perjury. Obviously, someone wasn’t telling the truth. But, why do we as a nation care?

Do we not have enough real issues for Congress to research and hold hearings on… things like airport security breaches, containers coming in on ships that go unexamined, “No Child Left Behind” children who are being left behind, veterans who are not getting the benefits they were promised, healthcare, education, creating jobs, etc., etc., etc.

So, Roger Clemens may or may not get an “*” by his name in the Hall of Fame. And, we care, why?