At What Cost

Recently it was announced that Justice Department was launching an investigation against one of the premier baseball players of the last 20 years. Did this player throw a game? Did this player bet on games? Did this player sell drugs to small kids during the off season? No, He lied (in theory) to Congress about the use of Steroids and HGH (Human Growth Hormone). Roger Clemens one of the most dominate pitchers in the game during the 90's and the early 00's apparentl cheated. In spite of Hall of Fame stats Mr Clemons will NOT be remembered as a great pitcher. Mr Clemons will NOT be remembered as a role model despite all of the years he claimed that hard work and talent was all you really needed. He will be remembered as a cheater. Clemons made millions, was a hero to literally thousands of kids and sports fans. The irony of this is that if Roger Clemons had just told the truth like Andy Petit, he would have already been forgiven and his legacy would be intact.

Last Baseball season Hammering Hank Aaron's all time Home Run record was broken. Was this once in a lifetime event celebrated around the baseball world? NO, as a matter of fact this "hitter" was routinely booed at every stadium he played in except San Francisco. The 756 Home Run ball will be going to the Hall of Fame, with an asterick permanently stamped on it. The asterick? Barry Bonds amazing feat is stained by the fact that he was on steroids. Now he has been indicted for Perjury, and may be facing a prison term. His legacy will be permanently tarnished not because he cheated but because he lied about it.

Two weeks ago I attended a candidaes forum in Quinlan. It was an open forum with both Republicans and Democrats in attendance. Now, I don't expect to agree with liberal Democrats. My politics and theirs are polar opposites, However I will always respect a man who will stand up and there and tell you the truth about what he believes. What I can't abide is a candidate from either party that lies about what he believes or about things that his party has done. A case in point; During May of 2007 Senate leaders of the Democrat party voted to cut off funding to our troops while they were being shot at in Iraq. I don't agree with this stand, and would never vote for anyone tha did. BUT, I would respect a candidate that stood up for his convictions. At the Quinlan event one of the Democrat candidates for Congress stated "That NO Democrat leader has ever voted to cut off funding to our troops." That is not spin, that is not a matter of opionon, that is a lie. Pure and simply. You can verify this fact in the May 16th 2007 issue of the Washington Post (Not exactly a Conservative Newspaper) or being checking the Congressional Record. Both are available online.

I understand the drive to win in sports and politics. You have to ask yourself "At what cost?" Are you willing to sell your soul and discard your honor to win? Personally I am not.
THe opionons in this column are of course mine and do not neccessarily reflect the opionons of the Owner of this paper, the Editor of this paper or the clerk that sold you the paper.