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Congressional Oversight?

Red Sox Druggie

At a panel discussion I attended last week, a congressional expert noted that a primary function of Congress, oversight of the executive branch, has been badly neglected for years.  So, I'm disappointed that two of my heroes in Congress - Henry Waxman and Tom Davis - have chosen to pursue an investigation of Roger Clemens (not a hero).  Here's what my favorite baseball blogger wrote from spring training:

USA Today is dropped at the hotel door five days a week. The front page today detailed that two Congressional committees are investigating the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. The story next to it was about how many troops are being sent to Iraq without the proper equipment and that is leading to needless injuries and deaths.  ... Sorry about your son's leg, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. But you'll be happy to know that your government is hot on the case of that menace to society Roger Clemens.


Tags: Congress, oversight (all tags)


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red sox

Okay, Ed, let's get one thing straight... Clemens was already on the "hated former Red Sox" list well before he allegedly began taking steroids.  "Yankee druggie" would be a more appropriate caption, oh wise Yankee fan.

Well, at least we agree that there's other government oversight more important than steroids in baseball.

by Josh Zaharoff on Tue Mar 04, 2008 at 10:31:37 AM EST


Above the law,when it is bad law !.

I am just beginning to become familar with the common cause website,and the judical watch organization.Let me say thank you to both groups,for your hard work towards protecting the public from corrupt goverment officals and their deeds.This country needs more people,groups like you.Again a sincere thank you.
I am unable to be a major financial contributor to either group,however,I am willing to write letters to goverment officals,make calls,sighn and help distribute various petitions,and make contributions in as many ways as possible.Please feel free to contact me concerning ways that I can be of assistance.I have lots of time to give to a worthy cause.
I noticed that judical watch identified themselves as' conservitive.'I would not classify my self,or my political beliefs as either liberal or conservitive,as the issues facing this great country are beyond simple, 'either or'solutions.I do believe in government by the people,for the people.This is inarguably,the philisophical foundation of American government,a conservitive principle in our time,but hardly conservitive at the founding of our country.I hope that my refusal to steadfastly identify personaly or politicaly with particular parties or brand of politic will not hinder any request for my help ?In summary ,I believe in justice,when justice is required,mercy whenever possible.I support rule of law,but only to the extent that the law stems from the will of the people,and only when that will does not aim to violate or suppress the will and choice of the individual or minority,  in regards to God given rights.Suppose for a moment,that you or a loved one are given an order by a police officer to pull over on a abandoned stretch of highway late at night.It just so happens that the local police department has an history of alleged police brutality,an investigation is ongoing, but as of yet, no offical action has been taken.The identity of the officers involved are uncertain to you,but yet it is a small unit and the officer demanding you, and or your loved one pull over is more than likly a target of the given investigation.There is a very real possibility that if you pull over,'ie, obey the law 'you and your famly are going to become victims of police brutality,particularly if you pull over on that stretch of road.What is the right thing to do in such a situation?In this situation,following the maxum 'no one is above the law',may bring about unnessacary harm,or worse!Indeed in most cases ,motorists are required by law to pull over whenever and where ever,demanded by the police.Personally,I believe that in a case such as this the citezen must in accordance with natural law, become in essence' above the law'.We must remember that the rights listed in the bill of rights,come from the creator,not public servants nor fellow citezens.One of these rights is the right of self preservation.This right of self preservation dictates that all other law support or affirm our natural rights.By simply wating intill I was in a more public and better lit area to concede to the officer's demands ,I have violated written law ,but have actualy adhered to natural law.The sole purpose of written law,and law enforcement is to protect the public,each individual is a member of the public,thus any ordinance,law,regulation or ruling that purports to be for public good,but yet violates the rights of individuals in a given time place or manner,should be considerd invalid,if not unconstitutional.The public is never protected or served by laws which curtail individual liberty.
I hope my rambling has shed light on my overall outlook on justice and matters of law.Please contact me if I can be of assistance

by freeforall on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:36:08 AM EST


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