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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Why Congress should not function as a prosecuting attorney

When Henry Waxman called Roger Clemens to testify about his alleged steroid use it seemed a typical grandstanding play to garner headlines and horn in on a big sports story that everyone was talking about. It also was a perjury trap and sure enough the committee soon referred the matter to the Justice Department after charging that Clemens had lied to the committee. At the time, the Republicans on the committee seemed much more favorably disposed towards Clemens and now they've issued their own report casting doubt on the accusations of perjury against Clemens.
It is the latest salvo in a bitterly partisan issue dating back to the pitcher's contentious Feb. 13 hearing.

'Did Roger Lie?'

In late February, the committee's ranking member, Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., joined Waxman in successfully requesting a Justice Department probe into whether Clemens had perjured himself. But today, Davis released a report that claims to include new information.

"Did Roger Clemens lie to us?" Davis said in a statement. "Some of the evidence seems to say he did; other evidence suggests he told the truth. It's a far more complicated picture than some may want to believe. Memories fade and recollections differ. That's human nature, not criminal conduct. My concern is the integrity of sworn statements made to Congress."

The majority party's staff wasted no time in responding.

"There doesn't appear to be anything new in the report. And it continues to be important for the Justice Department to review this matter," a committee spokesperson told ABC News.
Why should elected congressmen be investigating the use of steroids in baseball anyway? Don't we have law officials to do that? Why should there be a partisan divide on whether or not a pitcher used human growth hormone? Why should congressmen be setting up perjury traps for baseball players? It is a misuse of the House's subpoena power. I don't know whether Clemens was telling the truth or not, but I do know that it isn't the business of the House of Representatives to investigate the matter.
Labels: Congress

posted by Betsy Newmark permalink 7:04 AM

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HOME Site Feed Comments from an AP history and government teacher in Raleigh, NC. e-mail betsynewmark AT gmail.com Betsy neither necessarily uses, nor endorses, the products advertised on this site. Wikio Your Market Research Here		Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Why Congress should not function as a prosecuting attorney When Henry Waxman called Roger Clemens to testify about his alleged steroid use it seemed a typical grandstanding play to garner headlines and horn in on a big sports story that everyone was talking about. It also was a perjury trap and sure enough the committee soon referred the matter to the Justice Department after charging that Clemens had lied to the committee. At the time, the Republicans on the committee seemed much more favorably disposed towards Clemens and now they've issued their own report casting doubt on the accusations of perjury against Clemens. It is the latest salvo in a bitterly partisan issue dating back to the pitcher's contentious Feb. 13 hearing. 'Did Roger Lie?' In late February, the committee's ranking member, Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., joined Waxman in successfully requesting a Justice Department probe into whether Clemens had perjured himself. But today, Davis released a report that claims to include new information. "Did Roger Clemens lie to us?" Davis said in a statement. "Some of the evidence seems to say he did; other evidence suggests he told the truth. It's a far more complicated picture than some may want to believe. Memories fade and recollections differ. That's human nature, not criminal conduct. My concern is the integrity of sworn statements made to Congress." The majority party's staff wasted no time in responding. "There doesn't appear to be anything new in the report. And it continues to be important for the Justice Department to review this matter," a committee spokesperson told ABC News. Why should elected congressmen be investigating the use of steroids in baseball anyway? Don't we have law officials to do that? Why should there be a partisan divide on whether or not a pitcher used human growth hormone? Why should congressmen be setting up perjury traps for baseball players? It is a misuse of the House's subpoena power. I don't know whether Clemens was telling the truth or not, but I do know that it isn't the business of the House of Representatives to investigate the matter. Labels: Congress posted by Betsy Newmark permalink 7:04 AM \|

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Why Congress should not function as a prosecuting attorney