For this particular blog, I have an open forum. So I have decided to discuss the topic of the current relationship between our National government and American sports.
During this past spring, this topic was all over the news with the ‘Mitchell Report’ being published. Senator George Mitchell wrote this in-depth report over accounts of illegal steroid use in major league baseball. Although there were many names listed in this lengthy report, Roger Clemmens and Andy Pettite were among the marquee names. This strikes close to me because Roger Clemmens played his college baseball at The University of Texas which I am a student at currently and Andy Pettite played at San Jacinto Junior College which is in my home community in Clear Lake.
With this in mind, I wanted to express my feelings of our government getting involved with sports and steroids. Senator Mitchell obviously must have had strong feelings on this topic to put in all of the time and dedication he did in this report. However, I feel that this is a bit overkill, especially that most of the alleged steroid users either used them when they were legal or used them for medical purposes such as recovering from an injury. I feel that our government should be focusing on more important topics concerning our entire nation. I feel that with everything going on such as the war in Iraq and Immigration, our congressmen shouldn't be so concerned with illegal steroid use in sports.
Another thought on this is regarding our last discussion with national and state powers. I feel that maybe this issue should be dealt with by the respective state governments. I will ask you, the reader, what your thoughts are on the government dealing with steroid use and rather it should be up to the national government or the state governments?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
In response to "My thoughts on where our government is today" by Charlie Dickson.
This blogger discusses the national government in relation to steroid use in sports. He asks whether the states or the nation should decide the legality of steroid use.
I think that it is already established that steroid use by sportsmen is illegal. It is dangerous, and changes the level of competiviteness and legitimacy.
Some may compare this issue to the marijuana controversy; but it is different. Marijuana is legal in some places in very small amounts for medical purposes. Steroids are also widely used in the medical field for an array of legal things. When I had an allergic reaction I was given a type of steroid. But there are different types of steroids that athletes use to increase their performance, not for medical reasons. I don't think there is any lobbying for making this legal. Also, with correct medical records, it is clear whether an athlete is taking them for legal purposes or not.
Imagine the chaos if it was up to the states to decide to make steroid use among athletes legal. If steroid use was made legal in certain places for athletes, which I highly doubt would ever happen, sports would never be the same. Imagine certain teams on steroids playing clean teams!
Charlie comments on Senator George Mitchell's report over illegal steroid use in major league baseball, and believes "it is a bit overkill." Though Charlie feels that Mitchell should have spent time on more important issues I disagree. Showing a strict policy towards illegal use of drugs is a great example. Though it is different than a report on cocaine it still makes an important point. These drugs are used by more than just baseball players. In the bodybuilding industry it is widely used and with very destructive results. Steroids need not be brushed away as unimportant.
In comparison the war in Iraq is a much more important issue at the time being, with unneccesary casualties building every day. But there will always be big issues, and this doesn't mean we have to ignore everything else. Senators must represent their constiuencies concerns or else they are not doing their job.
In conclusion steroid use may not be at the top of the totem pole in importance. But, if we ignore this issue it will inevitably give the message of a lenient view of drugs and health. It is established that it is an illegal practice for athletes to use, so it needs to be enforced.
Post a Comment