Comments on: Sports and Election ’08 http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/ It rankles me when somebody tries to tell somebody what to do. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:40:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: Nando http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-123549 Nando Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:29:45 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-123549 <blockquote>#3 Radley Balko If MLB wants to take a hard line on steroids and kick people out for using them, I have no problem with that.</blockquote> Truer words have never been said!

#3 Radley Balko

If MLB wants to take a hard line on steroids and kick people out for using them, I have no problem with that.

Truer words have never been said!

]]> By: The Democratic Republican http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109506 The Democratic Republican Mon, 12 May 2008 16:10:20 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109506 Radley: Well, I think what you're saying certainly explains the status quo, as we all have suckled from the government teat wilfully or unwilfully. With favors come obligations. We can't take our bread from the king and then deny allegiance. However, is it really so crazy to suggest that the fact that these organizations function under a legal monopoly makes their condition substantively different from other occasions where government doles out a little here and there? I tend to think about pro sports like I do regulated utilities: on the one hand, being regulated guarantees a certain level of income, but on the other, you WILL be micromanaged. I think that's different than saying, I accept welfare therefore I accept mando drug tests. Why? Because corporations do not possess individual rights, "guaranteed" by the Bill of Rights. Radley: Well, I think what you’re saying certainly explains the status quo, as we all have suckled from the government teat wilfully or unwilfully. With favors come obligations. We can’t take our bread from the king and then deny allegiance.

However, is it really so crazy to suggest that the fact that these organizations function under a legal monopoly makes their condition substantively different from other occasions where government doles out a little here and there? I tend to think about pro sports like I do regulated utilities: on the one hand, being regulated guarantees a certain level of income, but on the other, you WILL be micromanaged. I think that’s different than saying, I accept welfare therefore I accept mando drug tests. Why? Because corporations do not possess individual rights, “guaranteed” by the Bill of Rights.

]]> By: Radley Balko http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109449 Radley Balko Mon, 12 May 2008 14:24:43 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109449 If you're going to say that rent seeking or getting favors from government means Congress gets to micromanage everything you do, then just about every corporation in the country may as well be subject to congressional meddling. Also, anyone who has ever gotten a federally subsidized student loan. Or a federally subsidized mortgage. I could go on.... If you’re going to say that rent seeking or getting favors from government means Congress gets to micromanage everything you do, then just about every corporation in the country may as well be subject to congressional meddling.

Also, anyone who has ever gotten a federally subsidized student loan. Or a federally subsidized mortgage. I could go on….

]]> By: The Democratic Republican http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109438 The Democratic Republican Mon, 12 May 2008 14:11:27 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109438 It's a little disingenuous to say that sports orgs are "private entities" when they thrive on the monopoly exemption. That exemption is what has given Congress the power and, frankly, the right to meddle in their business. The exemption has come up in some of the hearings. So if the league wants to forgo the exemption and do what the hell it wants in the free market, more power to them. But really, the leagues and owners are all very willing rent seekers; they are about making money, not making a principled stand. And so long as Congress has privileged them with the exemption, they are going to keep their noses in that business. It’s a little disingenuous to say that sports orgs are “private entities” when they thrive on the monopoly exemption. That exemption is what has given Congress the power and, frankly, the right to meddle in their business. The exemption has come up in some of the hearings. So if the league wants to forgo the exemption and do what the hell it wants in the free market, more power to them. But really, the leagues and owners are all very willing rent seekers; they are about making money, not making a principled stand. And so long as Congress has privileged them with the exemption, they are going to keep their noses in that business.

]]> By: Brian http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109157 Brian Mon, 12 May 2008 05:25:53 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109157 I agree that congress should not be running baseball. That said, I'd like to see Bud Selig do something to keep steroids out of the sport anyway. I'd actually just like to see Bud Selig not crap up the place for once, to be honest. I agree that congress should not be running baseball. That said, I’d like to see Bud Selig do something to keep steroids out of the sport anyway.

I’d actually just like to see Bud Selig not crap up the place for once, to be honest.

]]> By: bob http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109139 bob Mon, 12 May 2008 04:47:46 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109139 "Refreshingly, all three said neither steroids nor gender participation are any of the government’s business, and that, being private entities, sports organizations should be free to set their own rules free of meddling from the federal government or grandstanding congressmen." In all fairness to Lee and Dr. NO, that <i>does sound exactly</i> like something Ron Paul would say, if asked. But he will not be asked that question in this election cycle. Nor will Radley Balko and other even headed people be asked similar questions on similar issues in future election cycles. To do so would not benefit the two party duopoly and the parasites that depend on perpetuating its existence. It sucks, but that's the way it is. “Refreshingly, all three said neither steroids nor gender participation are any of the government’s business, and that, being private entities, sports organizations should be free to set their own rules free of meddling from the federal government or grandstanding congressmen.”

In all fairness to Lee and Dr. NO, that does sound exactly like something Ron Paul would say, if asked.

But he will not be asked that question in this election cycle.

Nor will Radley Balko and other even headed people be asked similar questions on similar issues in future election cycles. To do so would not benefit the two party duopoly and the parasites that depend on perpetuating its existence.

It sucks, but that’s the way it is.

]]> By: Lee http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109105 Lee Mon, 12 May 2008 03:59:18 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109105 Ron Paul is still running for President, so that makes 4 major party candidates. Ron Paul is still running for President, so that makes 4 major party candidates.

]]> By: Radley Balko http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109081 Radley Balko Mon, 12 May 2008 03:07:35 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109081 Z -- Well, no. If MLB wants to take a hard line on steroids and kick people out for using them, I have no problem with that. But I don't think it's any of Congress' business. And no, I don't think the Patriots' cheating is any of Arlen Specter's business, either. But let's be real, here. The only reason MLB is cracking down on performance enhancing drugs is because blowhards like Tom Davis and Henry Waxman have threatened them with federal sanctions if they didn't. Z — Well, no. If MLB wants to take a hard line on steroids and kick people out for using them, I have no problem with that.

But I don’t think it’s any of Congress’ business. And no, I don’t think the Patriots’ cheating is any of Arlen Specter’s business, either.

But let’s be real, here. The only reason MLB is cracking down on performance enhancing drugs is because blowhards like Tom Davis and Henry Waxman have threatened them with federal sanctions if they didn’t.

]]> By: EdinTally http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109054 EdinTally Mon, 12 May 2008 02:17:33 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109054 Z, I get that you are saying they are both "cheating" and therefore similar, but... doesn't the "playing calling" take away from the skill of the entire team essentially making the game just one big orchestrated event, while.... steroids still allow for player skill? just spit ballin Z, I get that you are saying they are both “cheating” and therefore similar, but…

doesn’t the “playing calling” take away from the skill of the entire team essentially making the game just one big orchestrated event, while….

steroids still allow for player skill?

just spit ballin

]]> By: z http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/11/sports-and-election-08/comment-page-1/#comment-109029 z Mon, 12 May 2008 01:23:26 +0000 http://www.theagitator.com/?p=9967#comment-109029 Interesting, you believe players should be allowed steroids but somehow have a problem with them observing other teams play calling signals. Interesting, you believe players should be allowed steroids but somehow have a problem with them observing other teams play calling signals.

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