Senator Specter Agrees With Me, I Think

by MaPatsFan on May 14, 2008 3:37 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter called today for an independent investigation into the Patriots' illegal taping practices, citing what he called an obvious conflict between the interest of the NFL and the public interest.

One could assume this to mean just the Patriots'. However, Senator Specter was quoted as saying:

"After a lot of consideration it's my judgment that there ought to be an impartial investigation, an outside investigation, like the [steroids] investigation that baseball had with former [Maine] Senator George Mitchell," said Specter at a Capitol Hill news conference.

This would indicate to me a wider net will be cast. Why? Read carefully the statement, "...there ought to be an impartial investigation, an outside investigation, like the [steroids] investigation that baseball had..." baseball = organization = NFL. I'm sure it could be taken either way - just the Patriots or the entire NFL. Only time will tell.

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Read More: Spygate is officially over(Pats Pulpit), Reiss's Pieces on Specter(Mike Reiss)

Comments

hmm..

I have wondered this during the whole steriods debacle, but what legal right does Congress have to do these “investigations”? I have no background in law, and some decent, but cursory knowledge of the Constitution, but I still can’t figure out where they have any legal right to make someone testify. They are not the Judicial branch of the government, so how can they hold a “trial” and make people testify, and subpoena and all that?

I think it is silly for Congress to get involved into these type of hearings. Hearings on spending my tax dollars wisely (E.G. Iran-Contra hearings) fine, but how can they step in and investigate sports franchises that generates their revenue from fans, and not government money?

by Ogor on May 14, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Two words: anti-trust exemption

As I understand it, the NFL has been given permission by the US government to run an organized monopoly. This government exemption gives congress, not only the right, but the duty, to maintain that the NFL does not engage in any improprieties because the consumer doesn’t have the option of following a different football league. Without any competition, the quality of the “product” has to be held in check somewhat by the government. So, the government is actually entitled to question the NFL about certain aspects of its business, especially since deals with TV & cable networks, advertisers and many other businesses and their revenues are affected.

That being said, I think Sen. Specter should bow out of this entire issue not only because he is not impartial, but because the matter has already been investigated and settled.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on May 14, 2008 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

I'm still trying to figure out...

...why Specter thinks spying in football is worth Congress’ time, but spying on American citizens in violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution isn’t something Congress should investigate.

Maybe it’s because he’s a hack.

by RSNexile on May 14, 2008 6:25 PM EDT reply actions