digg

Join DiggAbout

Discover the best of the web!
Learn more about Digg by taking the tour.

Senator To Blow YOUR Tax Dollars On Football Investigation

richardovervold.blogspot.com — With all the problems in the world, it seems it all pales in comparison to one of the men it should matter to, Senator Arlen Spector, who deems is necessary to use our tax dollars to conduct a further investigation of the New England Patriots Spygate scandal. Is he serious?!

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -12/+100I can't believe the Senator is actually considering this.
    • imacommi, on 05/15/2008, -1/+41I can, these people love to waste our money.
    • SuperWinner, on 05/15/2008, -0/+23Like any government department, if they don't spend what they are allocated for the year they lose that money and will not get as much next year. Pretty basic govermath.
      • NonLeftistDiggr, on 05/15/2008, -0/+14It's true I've seen it in several public sector jobs I tried. Buy office ***** or various tools frantically at the end of the budget cycle if there's any money left.
        • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -7/+4Then they need to find something to spend it on that's worth it, that can make a difference to people. How many homeless people they have in Philly. Alot I'd say. Granted, the reason they're bums is because they're lazy and want to be that way, but at least if they attempted to help, they'd find the ones who actually are down on their luck, and can help them.
          • NonLeftistDiggr, on 05/15/2008, -1/+16Or they could just stop, have their budgets reduced to figures at least approaching realistic, and we can pay off some of our national debt, or get back what was taken from us by the fed and/or state in the first place.
          • etherreal, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3Hey, they gotta have something to do now that the Barry Bonds/BALCO thing is winding down.
    • aliengoods, on 05/15/2008, -17/+9This is no different than investigating steroids in baseball. We love our sporting teams as much as we love our country, and if someone is ***** with them we want to know.
      • vault, on 05/15/2008, -3/+13"We love our sporting teams as much as we love our country"

        I don't. Let them conduct their own investigation at THEIR expense.
      • bjornski, on 05/15/2008, -1/+9Take away their anti-trust exemption and let the market decide their fate.
      • schnikies79, on 05/15/2008, -2/+12No *****. Gas is $4/gallon but lets worry about whether or not Clemens has a needle stuck in his ass.
      • Duositex, on 05/15/2008, -5/+3Actually it is different. Steroids are a controlled substance.
      • wonko33, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Then let the police investigate
      • dOOBiEx213, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3Speak for yourself. To be honest, sports are becoming the equivalent of professional wrestling. It's a ***** joke when they use OUR money to build stadiums (government subsidies,) when they have no significant fiscal impact.
      • aliengoods, on 05/15/2008, -2/+1Answer me this. If people don't love their sporting teams then why is everyone glued to their TV on Superbowl Sunday?
    • darkciti2, on 05/15/2008, -11/+7To be fair, American Football is a major enterprise that provides jobs for hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Americans. From the hot dog guy, to the staff, to the the sound people to the news crews, etc.

      There may be a valid reason for investigating this stuff. Keeping it cleans, helps preserve it.

      I wouldn't know though, because I'm not much of a football fan.
      • cryptoki, on 05/15/2008, -0/+8not true. the league should investigate this itself. its their league, not the governments. they broke the rules and were fined right? case closed... next
    • mike17032, on 05/15/2008, -8/+1Pro-Football is a several Billion dollar a year industry. The amount of revenue it generates (and the taxes paid on it) will more than cover this investigation.
    • Spuy767, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Did no one else notice the positively retarded stuff in this guy's blog?
    • FcukAllYall, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3Wow, I just logged on and saw this...I was about to put my letter to the Senator on Digg, but I had to leave. Here's the letter I sent directly to the Senator:
      Out of curiosity Mr. Specter, aren't there more important things that need to be handled in the state of Pennsylvania, let alone our country than your starting "witch hunts" with the NFL. I don't think your voters voted for you because of "keen" sports knowledge. There is a war going on and thousands of soldiers from PA are involved in it. Shouldn't THAT be your focus. What about the housing market and Pennsylvanians foreclosing on homes...shouldn't THAT also be your focus? What about helping solve Philadelphia's murder problem...shouldn't THAT be your focus?

      Senator Arlen Specter, where exactly is your focus? Sports? I don't see that on your job description. What I do know is that the PEOPLE voted for you and in trust.

      I understand the whole MLB/Steroid issue, because it revolved around illegal substances, but this NFL "Spygate" investigation is a waste of taxpayers money. The investigation is being conducted independently with taxpayer dollars just because YOU didn't like the answer or how the NFL resolved the issue. Taxpayers in PA will not like this when they hear it in this manner and I will make sure this is heard.
    • scecilio, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2I was pretty sure I heard on the radio that Arlen Specter asked the NFL to hire an independent investigator to look into the scandal, meaning tax dollars wouldn't be spent. I'm sure the NFL can refuse and force Arlen Spector to use tax dollars if he wants an investigation, but Roger Goodell hasn't responded yet.
    • PawnsOfJoshua, on 05/15/2008, -2/+0Let me explain why this is important and a good investment of the tax money that will be spent on it. Professional sports are a massive industry and a major part of the American economy. Anything that threatens the integrity of the game threatens to further weaken the economy, as fans could very quickly lose interest in watching unfair competition. Regardless of whether you like any sports, they are a major contributor to our overall economy and if the market for ticket sales and television appeal are diminished, then it will have a direct and negative impact on every other sector of the economy. Given the current economic woes of our country and the continued rising gas prices, this is the last thing any of us can afford. So whine and moan if you want, but understand this is *not* a waste of your money.
      • RichardOvervold, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0I have to disagree. When the Patriots were going 16-0 in the regular season, there was no other team that was watched more. Period.
    • SC4RP, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1Have you ever noticed in dc when most of the people go to the bathroom they come out with their hair wet. They just don't know which end is up!
  • JDenigma, on 05/15/2008, -9/+76It just so happens to be that if I'm not mistaken, Arlen Spector is an Eagles fan, a team that lost to the Patriots in a recent Superbowl. Can you say sour grapes?

    This is absurd though that this is made into a federal issue and they're getting the government involved just like the absurdity over steroid use in baseball. The sheep who watch their tv and sports I'm sure would be all up to speed and informed on this, but they don't know ***** about the relevant things going on in the world beyond the sports world.
    • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -2/+8I can say sour grapes, and if this has anything to do with that Superbowl, it's a damn shame he's in office and allowed to pull the strings on operations such as this.

      I don't mind the feds getting involved with steroid use, because those drugs are illegal, but I do have a problem with them getting involved with a broken rule. There was nothing illegal done there, no laws were broken. It's insane.
      • Christ0s, on 05/15/2008, -15/+3The eagles should of won that game if not for the cheating patriots. Keep up the good work Senator Spector for great justice.
      • cryptoki, on 05/15/2008, -2/+1wow... a voice of reason...! thanks.
    • Plantagenet, on 05/15/2008, -6/+1All the patsie fanboys want their cheating ways swept under the rug!
    • elipabst, on 05/15/2008, -9/+3The guy is a Senator from Pennsylvania. If the people of Pennsylvania who are his constituents want him to pursue this, then what is the problem? That's his job right? Why should he give a ***** what you think? Let *YOUR* Senator worry about that.
      • Roryking, on 05/15/2008, -1/+5Football is not a government-sponsored organization, and the government has no right involving itself except in cases where REAL FEDERAL LAWS are broken (rules of NFL =/= laws)
        • elipabst, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Actually they do have a right. The NFL got an antitrust exemption from Congress, so they definitely have a right to look into matters if the NFL is looking the other way and allowing one of its franchise teams to cheat and get a competitive advantage (and earn more $$). Plus Congress does all kinds of random things that aren't related to laws, for example yesterday they took the time to congratulate the "Winona State University on winning the 2008 Division II mens basketball championships".
        • freedomwv, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Exactly! I am glad that someone sees this fact. NFL laws are not government laws. Damn is this what America has become. Are people so dumb down that they care more about what happens in the world of professional American rules football than they so about real government issues.

          Stop and think about this people. Football is not real life. In fact sports are not life real life in general. Sports are a lot of fun to watch sometimes but in the end it does not matter who cheated who and which team is the best. There are many more important things to be concerned about then if the New England Patriots cheated to win a damn football game!
    • Mooinakan, on 05/15/2008, -2/+4You call sour grapes and then go on to make an idiotic generalization of every tv and sports viewer ever?

      You sir, are a grade A douchebag.
      • JDenigma, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Ohhh, poor baby. I struck a nerve, didn't I? I'm so sorry that you're insecure in your television habits. You can call it a generalization, but I wasn't referring to everyone who watches something every now and then. Anyone reading in between the lines, would understand that I was referring to the stereotypical person who watches too much tv and sports who places that as a priority over paying attention to more important, relevant things and educating themself and reading books. I'm referring to the ignorant dolts out there who are consumed with their reality tv and sports. There's nothing wrong with watching a little tv. That's not my issue. However, there is a problem if you're consumed by it and aren't a well rounded, balanced person who uses more of his or her free time to devote to more relevant, intellectual pursuits. It's all you idiots who spend all your time watching tv who are responsible for our downfall.

        Oh, I myself happen to watch the NFL and happen to be a Redskin fan, but other than a few things, I rarely watch tv anymore. I use the Internet much more for my information and entertainment. I hardly watch the boobtube. I don't devote the majority of my time to it. Capice?

        Now run off little peon
    • mnky9800n, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0Well in defense of the baseball situation, a judge tried to order two reporter's to give up their sources when the issue didn't have to do with a murder investigation or national security which is wrong. Therefore, I believe anyone who needed to get involved to stop that situation should have gotten involved. However, I disagree with the further involvement.
    • kevinwiz, on 05/15/2008, -3/+4"The sheep who watch their tv and sports I'm sure would be all up to speed and informed on this, but they don't know ***** about the relevant things going on in the world beyond the sports world."

      Wow. You are a ***** dick.
      • JDenigma, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Speak for yourself. See my response to the other person above you who attacked me. A case of the pot calling the kettle black as you're the dick for responding in a knee-jerk fashion by attacking me personally when I never said anything directly to you personally. Since you took it personally, it must speak volumes about you as I must have struck a nerve. A little insecure huh? Waaaaaaa!!!!!! Shove your pacifier up your pie hole you little myrmidon.
    • PawnsOfJoshua, on 05/15/2008, -4/+1You are a fool. I'm an avid sports fan *and* I will dominate you in any intellectual forum. This is a guaranteed fact. You pick any topic and watch me run circles around you. Or better yet, lets play chess. I will show you which of us is the sheep, you ignorant sap.
      • JDenigma, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Oh, mr. braggart now. FYI, I'm not a sport fan in general, but I am a NFL fan and a Redskin fan so I do watch it, but other than that I rarely watch tv anymore. You obviously hit yourself a little too much in your chin with your knee. You might want to back the ***** up and spend some time thinking before you react like a little baby in response to someone's post. I obviously struck a nerve and you couldn't handle it. I wasn't referring to every single person who might possibly watch a little tv or sports. I was referring to the ignorant dolts who spend an inordinate amount of their time being consumed by their mindless entertainment who are the ones responsible for our downfall, you know the ignorant dolts who make a fool of themself over a little game. Are YOU one of them braggart? Just the fact that you got your panties in a bunch and reacted to me this way when I was speaking to the general state of the populace, in itself speaks volumes about your intellectual maturity or lack thereof.

        Poor baby. Wow, get so worked up over what someone says about your trivial little sports. I sure hope you have that same fire and brimstone when it comes to more relevant, important things. Go jackoff to your team.
    • freedomwv, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2This is an NFL problem but a government problem. What the hell is the government doing getting involved in this anyway!?
    • nydwarf, on 05/16/2008, -1/+1Douchebag.
      • JDenigma, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Just like a mindless sports idiot to say something juvenile like that.

        Now now, wipe that spittle off your chin. I know you're a mouth breather for your sports and your poor little feelings were hurt mr macho man.
  • kwelte57, on 05/15/2008, -5/+34Shame on Senator Spector! Is he really that out of touch.
    • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4He really is that out of touch. Granted, he doesn't spend all day thinking about this, but he should focus his energy on productive things for "what the people want". It's not his job to judge the Patriots, it's Roger Goodell's job.
      • elipabst, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Well the NFL does have an anti-trust exemption granted to them by Congress, so that's not entirely true.
    • PawnsOfJoshua, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1You are the one who is out of touch with the reality that any sports scandal that creates an unfair competitive environment threatens to directly weaken our economy, as the integrity of the game is a key factor in ensuring continued fan interest and the exchange of money that results from ticket sales etc. Just because you do not care about football doesn't change the fact that its one of the largest and most lucrative enterprises in the entire country.
      • rand0mm0nkey, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1integrity..... thanks for the giggle.
      • RichardOvervold, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0I'm probably the biggest football fan on this blog. Also, during the Patriots run last year, dispite all the spygate stuff, they were the most popular team in the league. Period.
  • sportscrzy33, on 05/15/2008, -3/+25Pretty ridiculous! And you just know that this is going to go nowhere and nothing will get done about any of this spygate BS. I love sports and NFL football is one of my personal favs, but it seems as though there is more bad press about sports these days instead of highlights or God forbid game coverage. You hear more about crime in sports than anything and that is just plain sad.
    • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Unfortunately, there is alot of crime by the players in sports, but that's being cleaned up by the people who are supposed to clean it up. Police, Roger Goodell, Bud Selig, etc.. Arlen Spector has no business in the NFL. He probably lost a bet on that Superbowl, and wants payback for it. He's in a high position, and is swinging his sword.
    • PawnsOfJoshua, on 05/15/2008, -1/+0That is a legitimate comment but I just want to add that the seeming increase in sports scandals is more a function of ratings hungry journalists than anything else. It's not that these types of things never happened before, it's that they didn't receive so much press attention, or thats how it seems to me anyway.
  • DeathWish808, on 05/15/2008, -3/+21Sadly this doesn't surprise me.
    • SuperWinner, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3Surprisingly this doesn't sadden me.
      • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4It saddens me because I'm paying for his investigation of something that doesn't matter. Fix the roads with that money, or something of use...
      • shutaro, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4Saddingly this doesn't surprisen me.
    • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Sadly is seems Arlen Spector is bringing personal matters into the political office.
  • imacommi, on 05/15/2008, -2/+58I don't understand why the Gov. is getting involved with these baseball/football investigations; why waste the money? If people don't like this stuff they can just stop watching the NFL/MLB. I really get tired of hearing about how my taxes are wasted...
    • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -6/+2Because the government has some very large things swinging between their legs and they need to stick it to someone. Who better than the people who support them? HA!

      I find it hard to believe that people don't want to know how their taxes are being wasted. If you are, then you're not in touch with where this country is going. At this rate, the country will be dead in about 30 years. Done. Finished.
      • JDenigma, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5We're already finished. Hey, is anyone smelling smoke?

        The sports coliseums

        The bread and circuses

        The masses of useful idiots

        yup
    • dirtyfrog, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5Not that this makes it any better of an excuse but at one point they said the reason the government gets involved with sports like they have with baseball and now football is because apparently these professional sport leagues have an immunity to monopoly laws. The leagues could allow cheating and there is no reason for the league to stop it because of a lack of competition. I guess they could force the NFL into two seperate entities (I guess like the NFL and AFL were) if they felt it needed to be broken up.
      I agree with most others that have commented so far though that this is a waste of money and I was completely baffled when congress started interviewing MLB players about steriods. I guess this is why they feel they need to get involved though.
    • headzoo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2One possible reason is that cities/states spend a lot of money on these teams. The franchises are given a lot of money and tax breaks to build their stadiums, with the hopes that it'll boost the local economy.
      States have an economic interest in sports franchises, and when a team starts doing wacky things, the state likes to step in to set things straight.
    • Noods, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1They are justifying their jobs.
  • EllieElliott, on 05/15/2008, -7/+38Hard as Arlen "Haggis" Spector may try,
    and as hard as he may wish it,
    the Eagles will never be the winner of Super Bowl XXXIX (2006)
    The Patriots beat the Eagles 24-21. Arlen doesn't think it was fair and square, prolly it weren't, but life goes on. That game was played.

    So hey Spector! how about investigating something more profound; I dunno, like mebbe the Rape of the US Constitution?
    • JDenigma, on 05/15/2008, -1/+7I just dugg your comment and now I saw your comment got lowered to 1 so someone just after me, buried you. Hmmm, who could possibly be having a problem with what you said there? ;-) Might we have some Eagle fans lurking in this thread or possibly fans of certain teams like the Dolphins, Bills, or Jets?

      This will be an interesting thread with the mixture of sports and politics. lol
      • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Yeah, he put it right on target with what's going on. Probably some Eagle fans out here, bitter because I'm not defending their Superman Spector.

        Hah, sports and politics shouldn't be said in the same sentance. :)
        • PawnsOfJoshua, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0Except when the issue is a direct threat to the American economy.
    • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0Yep, the Eagles would have won..... if they scored 4 more points. Hahaha! But you know, wonder if Arlen Spector thinks the league should look into that illegal pick TO had on one of the Patriot players and caught that short pass and ran forever. Oh, nevermind Arlen Spector has a biased opinion because he's an Eagle fan. haha
    • nblsavage, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4Makes you wonder how much 'ol Arlen had on the game :)
    • elipabst, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Actually Arlen Spector has been one of the few Republican voices in Congress to actually make a stink about the domestic spying issue. He's a fairly senior member of Congress, so the noise he has been making about it has probably had a pretty substantial amount of influence on the executive branch at least beginning to come clean to Congress about it. Frankly I think this is kind of a retarded issue myself, but I'll keep voting for him because the guy at least votes his conscience and does the right thing rather than being some shill who reads the latest talking points, like 3/4 of the douchebags in Congress.
      • JoeVet, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2He says he questions the constitutionality of the domestic spying but then votes with Bush and blocks any investigation. He is a party republican and always puts the party ahead of the nation like any good republican will do.
        • elipabst, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1He authored the National Security Surveillance Act of 2006 which would require FISA oversight of any kind of domestic surveillance. He's pro-choice and pro-stem cell research. He forced Alberto Gonzalez to appear before the judiciary committee where he categorically stated that the "no fair, realistic reading of the 2001 resolution gives the administration the power to conduct electronic surveillance of people inside the United States without a warrant" and has even publicly mentioned impeachment if Bush broke the law. You can say a lot of things about Spector, be he is absolutely not a rank and file Republican.
  • Kent4jmj, on 05/15/2008, -3/+12I know decriminalize steroids and let the idiots shoot up all they want. When they start dropping like flies from the negative effects we will not have wasted our time or money on such idiots.

    woops wrong soapbox but good points just the same.
    • Roryking, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1The problem with steroids isn't the NFL'ers but it's when some coach for a goddamned high school football team somewhere in Texas (whoops!) starts getting kids to start shooting up. There should be decades of federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison for that.
  • SheilaNoya, on 05/15/2008, -17/+14Sounds like the Republicans are looking for a few new distractions so we won't be talking about the REAL issues, or notice how badly they are doing right now in the political arena.
    • Duositex, on 05/15/2008, -4/+5Who dugg you down?? This is absolutely true. The republicans are losing seats faster than a game of musical chairs.
      • cryptoki, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3theres a movement on digg, where if you disagree with any govt point of view... you will instantly be dugg down. lulz
    • zacharytelschow, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Republicans are talking about the issues, but Americans are too riveted by the ugly race between Obama and Clinton to notice (myself included). And in case you haven't noticed, none of the candidates has presented a workable solution to any of the real problems we're facing.
    • birdmanrush, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0Hey, I know being a lib has dumbed you down, but Arlen Spector is not a Republican just because he has an R next to his name. He is what you call a RINO- Republican In Name Only. Follow the dems into oblivion.
  • musleypope, on 05/15/2008, -1/+11Spector also happens to be the Senator who put forward the magic bullet theory in the JFK assassination.
    • terracottapai, on 05/15/2008, -3/+1As far as I expect to get dug down for this, I gotta say the trajectory of that bullet matches perfectly with all of the evidence. The only way it doesn't work is if you manipulate the positions of JFK and the governor and then ignore contradictory evidence.
    • terracottapai, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1I should add, though, that Spector still isn't my kinda guy.
  • Dumbledorito, on 05/15/2008, -4/+8Hey, Bush trotting out steroids in baseball was good for obscuring a few news cycles. And it seems that a significant segment of the voter base can more readily name their hometown quarterback than they can their representatives in local or national government.

    But I want hearings about people haxxoring on XBox Live. That's an issue that MATTERS, people!
    • PolishLogic, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Considering the pathetically low voter turnout we have had historically, is that any surprise?
    • kb9rlf, on 05/15/2008, -2/+1Last time I checked steroids were illegal, that is worthy of the law's intervention.
      • zacharytelschow, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1This proposed investigation is about cheating in football, not taking steroids. Also, there are many things that are illegal, but that doesn't automatically qualify them as worthy of Congressional time.
    • PawnsOfJoshua, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1"And it seems that a significant segment of the voter base can more readily name their hometown quarterback than they can their representatives in local or national government." A senators JOB is to protect the interests of the people he represents...it does not matter how legitimate you think the issue is.
      • zacharytelschow, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1And how does ensuring that no one cheats by using videotapes in professional football protect anyone, exactly?
  • swrostmore, on 05/15/2008, -2/+11This is disappointing, Specter is one of the few Republicans on the Senate Judiciary who isn't a complete *****. He called for Abu Gonzales' resignation while the rest of the lot were busy apologizing for his suspicious "memory loss," and he's even done the unthinkable (for a Republican), criticized Bush's assertion of executive priviledge.
    • JoeVet, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4After criticizing Bush's assertion of executive privilege he then voted to give Bush the benefit of the doubt and held up any investigation. If he was actually doing more than grand standing then he'd be out like Hagel. The GOP doesn't accept individual thought or action.
      • swrostmore, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1There had been rumors that Specter was resigning, MSNBC's Chris Matthews even expressed interest in running for his Senate seat. I think the RNC must have realized that, with all the seats they are going to lose in november, they need to hold on to the guys that at least have some remaining scraps of credibility.
  • cabdirazzaq, on 05/15/2008, -14/+6As a European, I'd rather see them end up there than to kill Iraqi children or enforce (what everybody in the whole world except the U.S sees as) terror against the Palestinians.
    • wazzu07, on 05/15/2008, -4/+8yawn
    • Roryking, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1The problem is, they'll probably just print up more money and do both. I mean, can't let the economy escape unharmed with all this going on, now can we?
  • brjohnson789, on 05/15/2008, -1/+9Never doubt in the ability of the government to waste money.
    • schroeder, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2And never doubt in the ability of Arlen Spector to be a complete moron.
  • openj, on 05/15/2008, -11/+10He should spend that money killing muslims instead. God likes football. God does not like muslims. What part of "Under God" don't you understand?
    • terracottapai, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2*waits for someone to demonstrate that they cannot detect sarcasm and then be dugg into the stratosphere, further weakening my confidence in the intellectual level of Digg*

      Oh wait, I probably just ruined my chance.
      Damn.
  • HCviolence, on 05/15/2008, -1/+9They did it. Most Teams did it. Investigation over(and for free too).
    • malman4, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1And those that didn't suceed certainly tried.....and why not?
  • chicofaraby, on 05/15/2008, -12/+15Who gives a *****? It's grown men playing a children's game.

    Senator Spector, why not investigate the billions of missing dollars in Iraq or the no-bid contracts given to Friends of George? You know, things that matter.
    • gaziddlybop, on 05/15/2008, -1/+5Because Arlen Specter doesn't work for you and me. He works for those that RULE over this nation. He helped the warren commision cover up the kennedy assasination. He's a ***** freemason lucifer worshiping demon. Go research it yourself. You'll find that everything I just wrote is 100% TRUE.
      • scraggg, on 05/15/2008, -2/+1David Icke, the man who publicly and proudly attests to constantly hearing voices in his head, wrote it in a book! It must be true!
  • blast_flame, on 05/15/2008, -11/+6As a sport hating geek I am angered by this.
  • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3Most teams probably did it, but apparently it's not over, because Arlen Spector has a bug somewhere, and wants redemption for a Superbowl loss. And now he wants to waste our money on something he shouldn't even be involved in. Again, he's yielding his massive sword... simply because he can. And it seems no one in the press wants to stand up to him.
  • alk509, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=339582 ...
  • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -4/+9If you're not angered by this, then there's something wrong with you. :)

    You pay taxes for a reason, and that reason is NOT to look at what the Patriots did, or didn't do.
    • Christ0s, on 05/15/2008, -1/+7i lost a couple hundred bucks on that game I want justice.
      • WhiZa, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1The NFL fined Belichick and the Patriots $750,000 total. Maybe you should call the NFL to get it back. They probably gained a couple hundred dollars of interest in the time it took to talk to them
    • scamper22, on 05/15/2008, -2/+0Correction: everyone pays taxes for different reasons.
      I'm sure sports integrity is up there on someone's list. This is no different from any of the other million ways government spends money.
  • JohnnyKinder, on 05/15/2008, -1/+11I am in no way condoning the actions of congress to get involved, but I have read an article as to why they are doing this that made some valid points (again, we should be more focused on getting our economy back on track and stopping the war but..)
    Apparently it has a lot to do with the monopoly that professional sports has. When you look at the definition of monopoly (not the board game) Pro sports fits it to a T
    They investigate these things because of the money earned/lost due to people cheating sports, ie steroids, video taping signal calling etc. The US government has given professional sports a ton of slack by letting them build these empires, so I can on a very low level understand why they need to make sure things are being run the correct way.
    Again, I am in no way condoning the massive waste of money, this is coming from someone who hates the Patriots, but, a lot of people do wonder why congress gets involved, so I hope I can shed a little light.
    • 9thisisme, on 05/15/2008, -3/+3they have built an empire because we, as americans, waste our time watching and supporting that crap.
      • mike17032, on 05/15/2008, -1/+5Yes, posting stupid comments on digg all day is a much better way to spend your time.

        Dont pretend that you are somehow spending your time better than people who watch Sports, just because you spent your time in the band.
        • 9thisisme, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1"Yes, posting stupid comments on digg all day is a much better way to spend your time."
      • hivoltage815, on 05/15/2008, -2/+0I like to see you are open minded and accepting of people with a variety of tastes and interests.
        • 9thisisme, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1the point is that we cannot complain when we support it by watching it all the time
    • twomeyw23334, on 05/15/2008, -5/+2If the NFL was violating some anti-trust laws that may be a valid point. But this has NOTHING to do with a monopoly or with any legal aspects of how their business is run. The Patriots cheating in a football game has nothing to do with federal law.
      • jrefenes, on 05/15/2008, -0/+6The NFL IS violating anti-trust laws. It's been that way since the AFL/NFL merger. Currently the government gives them exemption to anti-trust laws. This is why, although I disagree with the use of taxpayer money given the relevence of the issue, the government DOES have a right to launch further investigations. They already give the NFL tons of slack by granting them exemption from federal law, the government has every right to investigate them when they deem it necessary.
        • twomeyw23334, on 05/15/2008, -3/+1Is Burger King a monopoly because they are the only burger joint that has the Whopper? The NFL has competition, NBA, NHL, MLB, APSL, NASCAR, PGA, NCAA, etc.
          Even if they were a monopoly, the government still would have no right to investigate this matter. If anything, they should go after them for violating anti-trust laws. Letting an individual / organization break a law / laws doesn't justify letting the government overstep their bounds. Two wrongs don't make a right.
          • JohnnyKinder, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3Hmm, thats not quite the same thing. I don't think you are catching on to the point here. And, yes, if they are a monopoly the government would be allowed to investigate, this would be similar to a publicly traded company breaking sec rules (yes they are similar, perhaps you should read some wikipedia of something) So actually, the NFL has been getting away with murder....
          • twomeyw23334, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0"lack of economic competition for the good or service that they provide and a lack of viable substitute goods."
            The NFL provides entertainment. That is their service. Other sports as well as movies / television shows are all competition to the NFL. Going to a college football game, to the theater, etc. are all viable substitutes. If they jack the prices up too high for their product, people will choose other means of entertainment for themselves / family. As people are still paying current prices, the demand is obviously there.

            There is nothing inherently wrong with a monopoly in a free market anyways as they are subject to 'potential competition.' The problem arises with government protected monopolies, or with monopolies who break the law to prevent competition from forming or to hurt competition. If you want to start your own football league, knock yourself out.

            All of this is completely irrelevant anyways. My last point continues to stand. Two wrongs don't make a right. If the "NFL has been getting away with murder" as you proclaim, then go after them for murder. If this is truly a monopoly and monopolies are such horrible things, shouldn't they be broken up / taken down. The idea that they're a monopoly, so congress should be able to investigate the Patriots filming other teams calls is absurd. What's next, should congress be able to approve / disapprove trade deals or fire coaches for bad calls? They are a monopoly after all so somehow that legitimatizes government intrusion into their business, I don't think so.
        • quomen, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Twoney, yes they are. It's a competitive monopoly. Learn before you act stupid, and i'm not going to give you a basic lesson of economics right now. Go read a book.
    • mike17032, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2People also over look the huge amount of revenue (and taxes) that Pro sports generate. There is a reason cities shell out tax payer cash to build stadiums, they make it back and then some in taxes.
    • quomen, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Finally we have a voice of REASON in this thread. I agree Arlen should just shut up, but he's heading a government agency that's DUTY is to look over the private companies. They are allocated a certain budget, and they act accordingly. If the money isn't used on the investigation, then it'll be used for some other departmental purpose. It wouldn't go to building/improving infrastructure, the military, or some other governmental use.
      • sleepycoder, on 05/15/2008, -1/+0It's the government's duty to look over private companies if you're talking about a socialist government. Capitalist governments are there to provide a stable and competitive environment for people to be productive.

        No one has brought criminal charges against the Patriots, so this is none of the government's business. Since when is the US govt responsible for enforcing NFL rules? What's next, the FBI will be refereeing baseball games and the cops will bust down your door if you cheat at checkers?
  • mikesbaker, on 05/15/2008, -2/+12This is the same ass hole who wanted to give the telcos immunity for illegal wiretapping.
    • swrostmore, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Like I said before ITT, Spector is one of the few Senate Republicans who isn't a total *****. This from the Washington Post: "I think retroactive immunity is exactly wrong,” added Specter. “How can you ask for retroactive immunity in a context where you don’t even know what you’re immunizing?”

      Its really a shame he seems to have lost his bearings and is now pursuing *****.
    • elipabst, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1To be fair though, he has been a major voice in Congress pushing the executive branch to inform Congress about the domestic surveillance program, so it's not like he's just some partisan hack. I disagreed with his stance on that particular issue (and wrote him about it), but I think his position was more about letting the telecos get taken to the cleaners in court when they were largely strong-armed into cooperating with this program. Beyond that, he's been extremely vocal about his opposition to any kind of domestic spying without oversight.
  • RuffRidr, on 05/15/2008, -1/+13I'm not surprised by anything with this Congress. They as a collective have just been awful.
  • Bonesinger, on 05/15/2008, -3/+8I just want to chime in and say this is stupid, but you guys also have to realize that just because it is a sport doesn't mean its worthless. The NFL is one of the highest revenue grossing sports in the world. They generate a lot of money (some teams are worth in excess of 1 billion dollars - http://www.forbes.com/2007/09/13/nfl-team-valuatio ...

    When money starts flying around, the whole "its just a sport" moniker is gone; we are talking about businesses. If Company A was spying and trying to steal secrets from Company B and got caught, wouldn't they sue each other?

    That's my view, but I still don't agree with the Senator on dragging this ***** out any longer.
    • twomeyw23334, on 05/15/2008, -2/+2This is all taking place within a single organization, the NFL. The rules being broken are just that, "rules" and not laws. This would be like if an employee in company A broke a policy of the company (which violated no laws) and then the government came in to deal with it instead of letting the boss / management of the company deal with it.
      • xtc46, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Like the taste infringement that is occuring with coke zero and coke. You dont see the gov stepping in on there huh?
    • hivoltage815, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0Under anti-trust acts, the government does take interest when there is a monopoly involved. It is the responsibility of the NFL to be a "good monopoly" and play fair. The senate does have grounds to take interest in sports, but spygate is sooooo yesterday.
    • zacharytelschow, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Yes, under your example companies A and B would likely sue one another. But the point is that the issue would be settled in court, not in Congress. This is a ridiculous waste of taxpayer money and Congressional time.
  • RichardOvervold, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3Bonesinger, you make a good point, however, the NFL has a rulebook regarding Company A spying Company B, and it was resolved from within. The NFL Commissioner is the "Government" regulator of the NFL, not Arlen Spector, and he handed out punishment as he sees fit, and it's done. However, now someone who's not involved with the NFL decides he wants to come in and start investigating further, because it's not his money to spend. It would be like the Military coming in to handle a gang war in LA. It's not the military's place, their job is to police the world, not the country. Then again maybe Arlen Spector is bored, needs something to do, and is tired of his job, who knows.
    • xtc46, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1The militaries job is not to police the world...it is to defend US intrests. Our goverment just likes to think the whole world is our intrest.
  • life38, on 05/15/2008, -4/+3These actions by Congress of investigating the sports world for drug use and now filming of teams just show why the general public holds the Democates in low esteem. Congress should let Law enforcement do its job and turn to their own mess to clean up.

    Wake UP Congress: Change is coming. You are going to get fired unless you make real change. As CEO's of the USA you need to start producing or your going to Get Fired. We the People as your board of directors are going to take back our control to make you accountable.
    • davdev, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Spector is a Republican you ass clown
    • thanakar, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2This would be the case in the normal world, but Major Leaque sports are different. Congress granted these organizations anti-monopoly status so it actually does fall under the realm of Congress to ensure these guys are playing by the rules.
  • antiorblkflag9, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Blech...
  • AWBoy666, on 05/15/2008, -2/+319 million on drug wars? Wow, that's cheap!
    • elnerdo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3I wouldn't trust any of the "facts" listed on that site:
      "3) We have more poverty than any other country on this planet."
      This is so clearly untrue that I find it hard to believe that anyone could say it with a straight face.
  • whatthefu, on 05/15/2008, -1/+7This is the NFL's responsibility, not the US Government's. Jesus, it's like they're looking for any excuse to expand bureaucracy these days.
    • thanakar, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Two words "anti-monopoly status".
    • Morte42, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1A few more words.

      The NFL "handled" it by giving the Patriots a slap on the wrist and then destroyed all the evidence. Then even more evidence came out, and they obtained that and destroyed it to. If that doesn't seem suspicious to you, you're not very observant. Any time a legal monopoly starts breaking it's own rules and hiding evidence, I'd become very suspicious.
  • gaapgod, on 05/15/2008, -2/+13I'm a Republican, a football fan, former Senate staffer, and a supporter of Arlen (who beat the crap out of cancer and is one of the true independent Republicans in the Senate), but agreed. WTF DOES THE US FREAKING SENATE HAVE TO DO WITH FOOTBALL?!?!?!?!!?!?
    • moolaismyfriend, on 05/15/2008, -10/+6You're a Republican?

      Screw you then scum bag.
      • Niallgriff, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5Um..being a republican doesn't necessarily make him a bad person....
      • schnikies79, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5You judge people by their party? Screw you.
      • xtc46, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3I think they missed the joke :(
        • DreadPirate, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2The sad part is moola isn't joking - he's really that much of an *****.
    • Nothlit, on 05/15/2008, -2/+2It mostly has to do with the fact that the NFL is a legal monopoly, and the government does need to have some oversight to know whether it should maintain that status or not. That said, this particular investigation seems like a huge waste of time and money.
    • JoeVet, on 05/15/2008, -4/+2"independent Republican" lol, too funny!
  • mattes5, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4I have felt the same way for awhile even with the baseball steroid investigations. Anyways I like the blog post its got nice libertarian leanings to it :)... very refreshing b/c it seems this site is overran w/ progressive hippies
  • redd2600, on 05/15/2008, -7/+9Good, ***** the Patriots
  • gquaglia, on 05/15/2008, -3/+5Term limits are the only answer.
    • Barackalypse, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2No, we need to restrict them to their Constitutional powers as outlined in Article I Section 8. So far the only power listed to them there that they seem to be vigorously pursuing is "To borrow money on the credit of the United States" and they seem to be doing a lot of stuff that isn't there. Maybe somebody should stop them. I hear the French invented this great tool for expressing displeasure with government officials.
  • KnightMareInc, on 05/15/2008, -2/+10Not only is the NFL a multi-billion dollar business but its a Monopoly that plays quite a large role in local/state economies. Saying its just "football" is pretty naive
    • shdurham, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3Exactly. If an NFL team cheats, it gives the NFL an unfair advantage over other football leagues (i.e. Arena League). When you have a government blessed monopoly, you have to play the government's rules (no pun intended)
  • ricepicker4000, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4So... whens the last time Congress has done something that made you think, "That sure is dandy" ?
  • CYR1X, on 05/15/2008, -2/+9What if it was phrased as "One of the hugest corporations in America" as opposed to "football". Change your opinion eh?
    • cheesycow5, on 05/15/2008, -3/+3I'd ask when "hugest" became a word.
      • justz00t, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Look up "huge" in a dictionary once and you will see adj. hug·er, hug·est.
    • zacharytelschow, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Nope, wouldn't change my opinion one bit. This is a complete waste of time.
    • trollick, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Hmm. So what if Microsoft employees use steroids? Should congress investigate that too?
  • kcasper, on 05/15/2008, -9/+1It doesn't surprise me that he is a republican. A liberal wouldn't do this.
    • Plantagenet, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4What a stupid lie. The liberal democrats did exactly the same thing when they held hearings on the baseball steroid charges
  • Actionjax1, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3http://specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAct ... - link to contact page on Specters website, let him know what you think.
  • 9thisisme, on 05/15/2008, -2/+2the same thing is happening in baseball..out tax dollars are being used because some players took steroids. this case is going before out court system instead of being handled by the MLB league.
  • mrm3x1can, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4how does this guy get re elected
  • gaziddlybop, on 05/15/2008, -3/+4What a peice of ***** Arlen Specter is. Considering he had a hand in the warren commission's cover up of the Kennedy assasination why are we surprised? Hes a ***** traitor and a NWO stooge. And all you idiots who think this is liberal or republican or democrat you need to wake the ***** up out of your stupor! Stop thinking like the media tells you to think and use your own critical thinking capacity that God gave you.
    • scraggg, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3And by that you mean unquestioningly accept everything your hear on the Alex Jones Show or read in an uncited article Digg links you to, right? Hate to tell you, but PrisonPlanet, Loose Change, and the like are not exactly hotbeds of objective information, which makes it hard for any real 'critical thinking' to get done.
      • NeuroSlappy, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Are you denying "miracle bullet" Arlen Specter was part of the Warren Commission. Did you hear the E. Howard Hunt deathbed tapes to his son. I know E Howard Hunt had a lot to lose by telling the truth, he could have been killed on his death bed with nothing to lose, oh wait I'm all confused. Must think more critically, must unscraggg my brain. Does not compute. Help me out here scraggg I need that objective mind of yours. check out this link and get back to me with all your critical thinking. http://youtube.com/watch?v=fHZl91gN63g
        • scraggg, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Really? An agent who was disgraced both by the Bay of Pigs invasion and Watergate, he'd have no reason to redeem himself to history by purportedly blowing the whistle on one of the most (unjustly) controversial issues of the last century? Or, more likely, a man who so reveled in his romantic, superspy-ish view of CIA life would have no reason for wanting to change the perception of him from that of a failed CIA agent and hired Nixon administration goon to one of the silent hands behind the most momentous event of his time?
          Apart from his words, the evidence tying Hunt and the other agents he implicated to the assassination is tenuous at best, totally false at worst. Pardon me if I don't take the ramblings of an overly-medicated E. Howard-*****-Hunt as absolute truth, especially when there's nothing else backing them up.
    • mike17032, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Woo boy, someone is off their meds again.

      Go take your crazy pills, and get your foil hat back on.
  • DomMoschitti, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Senator Specter is giving Roger Goodell a fair amount of time to have the NFL conduct the investigation by themselves, just like the MLB did with the Mitchell report. This blog doesn't mention this whatsoever.
  • richporter, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4Government should stay out of sports.
    • Morte42, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1You're right, they should ignore all multi-million dollar monopolized corporations that put more into the economy than any other corporation out there. The NFL happens to be the first corporation to outsource, and then cancel the outsourcing to focus more on domestic production. Notice the NFL Europe folded while still being lucrative. Having the NFL and other major sports clean only benefits America overall.
  • plopper, on 05/15/2008, -4/+1Money well spent. Inquiring minds want to know.
  • Misinformant, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3lol republicans
  • ibone, on 05/15/2008, -1/+8Its not an overreaction. The NFL is granted an Antitrust exemption and has been given the right to control the lively hood of hundereds of players trapped in the collective bargaining agreement. Not only that but millions of people gambled billions of dollars on NFL games each year. If the league has corruption internally then the senator has every right to investigate this. You trust the commissioner on the NFL to give an honest investigation that his organization might be cheating? The NFL is not just a game, Hundreds of billions are spent, and the NFL is one of the only companies I can think of given a ***** anti trust exemption status.
    • ibone, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Not only that, today it was said that the Patriots were allowed to have a lawyer present and asked their own questions to Mr. Walsh during the questioning with the commisioner. This is the type of activity that has the senator calling foul.
    • davdev, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2If the players are "trapped" by the collective bargaining agreement, it their own fault and that of their Union.
      • Morte42, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1What other professional football league would you recommend them play for?
  • Postoasted, on 05/15/2008, -2/+5Is he retarded?
  • ajwinder, on 05/15/2008, -4/+10A member of government-allowed monopoly was involved in practices that constitute a scandal and the NFL proper hasn't acted as they should have in investigating it. The NFL is just like any other government-sanctioned monopoly. They are allowed to act independently of the government, but when substantial concern over practices arise, it is the responsibility of the government to act as a regulatory agency. Not seeing where the controversy here is, especially when the amount of money and time this is going to consume is completely minimal. If we were really worried about that, there should have been controversy for months over the republican's using the motion to recommit to tie up important legislation. Or to stall a bill promoting mothers day. The list goes on and on.
    • randyzaia, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2It's a government sanctioned monopoly on a ***** game. Arlen Specter needs to get his RINO ass back to whining about social inequality or whatever it is he does.
      • PawnsOfJoshua, on 05/15/2008, -2/+0Its a game that generates more revenue that virtually every remaining U.S. industry, excluding oil. No matter how much you may not like the ***** game, you need to shut up about this because it could directly affect you if this situation isn't handled in a way that instills consumer confidence in the integrity of the ***** game.
    • RJGONZO, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3You are completely incorrect when you state that the cost would be minimal. These always end up as spectacles with numerous hearings where many members of whatever committee would oversee this crap are sitting around asking ridiculous questions that we have all the answers too, and each senator taking the time for their grandstanding for the cameras so their constituents feel as though they give two ***** about them.

      And why in God's name does my taxpayer money need to be spent on a bill promoting Mother's Day? Hallmark does a fine job by itself.
    • PawnsOfJoshua, on 05/15/2008, -2/+0aj good post...sadly digg geeks cannot see clear cut logic, especially when it comes to football. They are probably all biased because they were hung by their underpants from a locker in gym class by football players.
  • kb9rlf, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Isn't football just a game ment to entertain us? Why should the federal gov, even waste its time? You know come to think about it I think we should investigate the end of every movie to ensure the movies ended correctly, I mean really...whats the point?
    • ibone, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1NFL has an Antitrust exemption, and billions are spent by consumers yearly. Gambling you name it billions. If a company is found to be cheating their employees or customers the SEC investigates. Those companies don't perform there own internal investigation and then tell everyone that they ***** up, I can assure you they would cover it up. So why would the NFL be any different? Just because its a sport doesn't mean that it should be ignored.
      • kb9rlf, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Don't try to justify spending my money on a F* GAME. Football is entertainment. I would rather have my money go to the war effort, then a bunch of juiced up, cocky people who have to reference to real life.
        • ibone, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1You sir are a ***** douche bag.

          So why would you want your money spent investigating a software company that just wanted to integrate their own webbrowser in their own OS?

          Its not just a F* GAME. Billions of dollars are made by fans that pay to watch and gamble on the game.
  • Fetching more discussions...
    Show 51 - 100 of 105 discussions
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.