Nebraska Congressman Lee Terry got into a verbal sparring match with World Wrestling Entertainment owner Vince McMahon over his failure to appear with representatives of pro sporting leagues, such as the National Hockey League, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball.
McMahon said that his attorney was in court at the time of last Wednesday's hearing and was unavailable. That did not go over well with Congressman Terry, who blasted McMahon for flipping off the committee and Congress in general. McMahon called Terry's office, then issued a press statement blasting Terry for his comments.
Subpoenas for WWE officials will probably be next.
I think some on this committee are ready to go after McMahon, who is well known for doing mocking skits on his Raw and Smackdown! shows against people he's debating, such as former Parents Television Council president Brent Bozell. McMahon took some of his most offensive gimmick wrestlers and turned them into a tag-team stable called the "Right to Censor", which was a really insulting (and at the same time funny) parody of the PTC. Right to Censor went after other offensive (and popular) gimmicks in use by other WWE wrestlers.
When WWE was going head-to-head against Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (which WWE eventually bought out) he featured a weakling wrestler called "Billionaire Ted" who was manhandled by McMahon's largest and strongest wrestlers.
This Congress is aggressive enough to issue subpoenas to WWE officials if McMahon starts making fun of this committee in his WWE programming.
Showing posts with label steroids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steroids. Show all posts
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Final Post on Clemens Testimony Before Congress: Hearing Made No Difference in Determining Whether Security Bill Vote Was Scheduled or Not
I've been hearing rumblings in the last several days about Congress wasting time on pro baseball while the FISA bill is set to sunset tomorrow. I'm so-so on that point.
FISA is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows for electronic monitoring, physical searches, wiretapping and business record access with the permission of a special federal court. It expires at midnight.
The Senate passed a version with legal protection for phone companies that have cooperated with the U.S. government against dozens of pending lawsuits; the House went on a twelve-day vacation without bringing it up. And the blame game between the White House and the House of Representatives has been in full-swing ever since.
With regards to the baseball hearing, the truth is that the FISA bill was not going to be approved or disapproved in the five-hour span that the nation's attention was focused on Congressman Waxman's committee hearing on baseball. Nor was the presence or absence of the second stringers involved in that committee going to turn the tide of whether the House voted on FISA or not, either.
If a House leader who could schedule a vote on FISA was on that committee questioning Clemens and McNamee, then there would be some hell to pay. But there wasn't a senior member of the House leadership, such as Nancy Pelosi, present.
So the baseball hearing had no impact on the impending expiration of FISA. One had nothing to do with the other. The House leadership decided days ago that they were not going to bring up FISA until after their midwinter break. That's what really happened.
FISA is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows for electronic monitoring, physical searches, wiretapping and business record access with the permission of a special federal court. It expires at midnight.
The Senate passed a version with legal protection for phone companies that have cooperated with the U.S. government against dozens of pending lawsuits; the House went on a twelve-day vacation without bringing it up. And the blame game between the White House and the House of Representatives has been in full-swing ever since.
With regards to the baseball hearing, the truth is that the FISA bill was not going to be approved or disapproved in the five-hour span that the nation's attention was focused on Congressman Waxman's committee hearing on baseball. Nor was the presence or absence of the second stringers involved in that committee going to turn the tide of whether the House voted on FISA or not, either.
If a House leader who could schedule a vote on FISA was on that committee questioning Clemens and McNamee, then there would be some hell to pay. But there wasn't a senior member of the House leadership, such as Nancy Pelosi, present.
So the baseball hearing had no impact on the impending expiration of FISA. One had nothing to do with the other. The House leadership decided days ago that they were not going to bring up FISA until after their midwinter break. That's what really happened.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
More on Clemens vs. McNamee: Justice Department Needs to Make an Example Out of One or Both of Them
In the case of Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee appearing before Congress to give testimony while under oath, one of them MUST suffer the consequences for decisions that they've made in relation to that testimony.
Because one of them lied while under oath. Either McNamee injected Clemens with illegal substances, or he didn't. There's no in-between possible. McNamee lied, or Clemens lied.
It's obvious that one of these men, by blatantly lying while under oath, has attempted to make a mockery of our legal processes. And the scales of justice need to be brought back into balance.
While it's true that this was no court of law, an oath to tell the truth before Congress carries the same weight as someone testifying in a court of law. The only difference is that a judge can find someone in contempt immediately, while Congress must file a complaint with the Justice Department, which can bring charges using their prosecutors. It's a little more complicated than that, but that's how it will play out in this case.
Justice had representatives at that hearing yesterday, so they don't need to wait for Congress to refer the matter to them.
And all of this is on top of the mistruths that both men have already been caught in. Both should face misdemeanor charges; one should face felony charges. I am sick and tired of celebrities getting off light simply because they're celebrities.
This must STOP.
Because one of them lied while under oath. Either McNamee injected Clemens with illegal substances, or he didn't. There's no in-between possible. McNamee lied, or Clemens lied.
It's obvious that one of these men, by blatantly lying while under oath, has attempted to make a mockery of our legal processes. And the scales of justice need to be brought back into balance.
While it's true that this was no court of law, an oath to tell the truth before Congress carries the same weight as someone testifying in a court of law. The only difference is that a judge can find someone in contempt immediately, while Congress must file a complaint with the Justice Department, which can bring charges using their prosecutors. It's a little more complicated than that, but that's how it will play out in this case.
Justice had representatives at that hearing yesterday, so they don't need to wait for Congress to refer the matter to them.
And all of this is on top of the mistruths that both men have already been caught in. Both should face misdemeanor charges; one should face felony charges. I am sick and tired of celebrities getting off light simply because they're celebrities.
This must STOP.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
No Clear Victor in Roger Clemens Testimony on Capitol Hill: Pitcher and Trainer Both Claim to Tell Truth While Under Oath
It's been a while since there's been this kind of spectacle on Capitol Hill.
All-star pitcher Roger Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, had their long-anticipated confrontation in front of the cameras, while testifying under oath. They were responding to the Mitchell Report, which outlined professional baseball's drug and steroid problems and named Clemens and others as users of human growth hormone (HGH) and anabolic steroids.
It was a very strange hearing, with both men telling vastly opposite stories and both claiming to be telling the truth while under oath, which is impossible.
A lesson needs to be taught here on what happens to those who lie under oath. Good luck to the powers that be on sorting out the honest one from the liar. But something has to happen here. Someone has lied under oath and needs to answer to that.
Unbelievable spectacle; I'm not sure this was a good use of Congress's time and efforts.
All-star pitcher Roger Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, had their long-anticipated confrontation in front of the cameras, while testifying under oath. They were responding to the Mitchell Report, which outlined professional baseball's drug and steroid problems and named Clemens and others as users of human growth hormone (HGH) and anabolic steroids.
It was a very strange hearing, with both men telling vastly opposite stories and both claiming to be telling the truth while under oath, which is impossible.
A lesson needs to be taught here on what happens to those who lie under oath. Good luck to the powers that be on sorting out the honest one from the liar. But something has to happen here. Someone has lied under oath and needs to answer to that.
Unbelievable spectacle; I'm not sure this was a good use of Congress's time and efforts.
Friday, August 31, 2007
WWE Suspends Ten Wrestlers: Drug Violations are Reason
World Wrestling Entertainment, under tremendous pressure from the public, Congress, and the media, suspended ten of its wrestlers--including some of their main event talent-- for drug violations.
Suspended were Mr Kennedy (the hypocrite), Chavo Guerrero (brother of the late WWE champion Eddie Guerrero), Gregory Helms, Randy Orton, John Morrison, Shoichi Funaki, Charlie Haas, Umaga, William Regal and Edge.
These wrestlers are in trouble because a pharmacy that they all do business with sells steroids to people without requiring them to see a doctor or having a doctor's prescription. The wrestlers were discovered as being clients by police who have access to the seized records of the pharmacy in question.
Prosecutors contacted WWE who suspended the wrestlers. Also linked to this company via seized records are accused murderer and deceased WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, and the late Brian "Crush" Adams as well as Eddie Guerrero.
I think it's too late to save this generation of wrestlers from early death. They know the terrible consequences of their steroid abuse; they know they're breaking their work rules and, more importantly--the law; and they know the long-term effects that steroid abuse has on their health. Yet they use the drugs regardless of the consequences.
There comes a point where the damage becomes irreversible and it becomes a matter of time before they have fatal heart attacks. I think we're in for a lot of sad news in the coming months and years as wrestlers continue to die young from their steroid and drug abuse. For some it's already too late to save their lives, even if they stop this insanity immediately. The damage doesn't reverse itself if the abuse stops. It festers and then strikes when the unsuspecting wrestler least expects it.
I think wrestlers who abuse steroids and drugs are too damned selfish to think about what's going to become of their wives and children after they die. It's utter stupidity and sheer madness to risk one's family on a gamble as they do, every time they inject themselves with liquid death.
Brain cells must be the first thing to go. What other explanation is there?
Suspended were Mr Kennedy (the hypocrite), Chavo Guerrero (brother of the late WWE champion Eddie Guerrero), Gregory Helms, Randy Orton, John Morrison, Shoichi Funaki, Charlie Haas, Umaga, William Regal and Edge.
These wrestlers are in trouble because a pharmacy that they all do business with sells steroids to people without requiring them to see a doctor or having a doctor's prescription. The wrestlers were discovered as being clients by police who have access to the seized records of the pharmacy in question.
Prosecutors contacted WWE who suspended the wrestlers. Also linked to this company via seized records are accused murderer and deceased WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, and the late Brian "Crush" Adams as well as Eddie Guerrero.
I think it's too late to save this generation of wrestlers from early death. They know the terrible consequences of their steroid abuse; they know they're breaking their work rules and, more importantly--the law; and they know the long-term effects that steroid abuse has on their health. Yet they use the drugs regardless of the consequences.
There comes a point where the damage becomes irreversible and it becomes a matter of time before they have fatal heart attacks. I think we're in for a lot of sad news in the coming months and years as wrestlers continue to die young from their steroid and drug abuse. For some it's already too late to save their lives, even if they stop this insanity immediately. The damage doesn't reverse itself if the abuse stops. It festers and then strikes when the unsuspecting wrestler least expects it.
I think wrestlers who abuse steroids and drugs are too damned selfish to think about what's going to become of their wives and children after they die. It's utter stupidity and sheer madness to risk one's family on a gamble as they do, every time they inject themselves with liquid death.
Brain cells must be the first thing to go. What other explanation is there?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Professional Wrestling Needs to Crack Down Hard on Wrestlers Using Steroids: Age of Big Men Should End
All wrestling promotions need to crack down hard on wrestlers using anabolic steroids.
The Benoit double murder/suicide press conference held earlier this afternoon by investigators down in Georgia was damning.
The toxicology reports will be out in a couple of weeks, but it's clear that Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son before killing himself. Many reports are saying that it was steroid rage. Anabolic steroids were found in Benoit's house by the police. They made it clear that he had prescriptions for the steroids, but not how many prescriptions there were. They alluded to the fact that there were a lot of them.
In a previous post, I asked why these guys die so young. It's because they abuse drugs, like steroids, which causes them to develop heart conditions, or O.D. on drugs, or get into violent situations. Here is a list of wrestlers who have died of anything but natural causes:
Every promotion needs to discourage their wrestlers from using steroids, and get them some help.
to do a good job and entertain people. Look at Mick Foley in comparison:
It's time for professional wrestling to get control of their major drug and steroid problems and save the lives of some of their own. And the sooner, the better.
The Benoit double murder/suicide press conference held earlier this afternoon by investigators down in Georgia was damning.
The toxicology reports will be out in a couple of weeks, but it's clear that Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son before killing himself. Many reports are saying that it was steroid rage. Anabolic steroids were found in Benoit's house by the police. They made it clear that he had prescriptions for the steroids, but not how many prescriptions there were. They alluded to the fact that there were a lot of them.
In a previous post, I asked why these guys die so young. It's because they abuse drugs, like steroids, which causes them to develop heart conditions, or O.D. on drugs, or get into violent situations. Here is a list of wrestlers who have died of anything but natural causes:
- David Von Erich--drugs/heart condition--1984
- Eddie Graham--suicide--1985
- Rick McGraw--suicide--1985
- Gino Hernandez--cocaine overdose--1986
- Mike Von Erich--suicide--1987
- Bruiser Brody--stabbed to death in Puerto Rico by another wrestler in locker room--1988
- Mark Tendler--murdered--1990
- Chris Von Erich--suicide--1991
- "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer--drug overdose--1992
- "Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich--suicide--1993
- Dino Bravo--murdered Gangland style/smuggling--1993
- Art Barr--complications from drug abuse--1994
- Louis Spicolli--drug-related complications--1998
- Brian Hauser--shot by police--1998
- Rick "Renegade" Williams--suicide--1999
- Bobby Duncun, Jr.--drug overdose--2000
- Rhonda Singh--drug overdose--2001
- "Gentleman" Chris Adams--died from gunshot wounds--2001
- "Mr. Perfect" Curt Henning--acute cocaine intoxication--2003
- Miss Elizabeth--drug and alcohol poisoning--2003
- Crash Holly--drug overdose--2003
- Anthony Durante--drug overdose--2003
- Mike Awesome--suicide--2007
- Scott "Bam Bam" Bigelow--drugs--2007
- Nancy "Woman" Sullivan Benoit--murdered?--2007
- Chris Benoit--suicide?--2007
Every promotion needs to discourage their wrestlers from using steroids, and get them some help.
I don't think it's necessary for wrestlers to look like this:
to do a good job and entertain people. Look at Mick Foley in comparison:
It's time for professional wrestling to get control of their major drug and steroid problems and save the lives of some of their own. And the sooner, the better.
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