Should Pro Athletes be allowed to use Steroids?

[Emtmom]

Since we have so many sports fans here, let's try this poll and discussion!

Congress Suggests National Steroid Law

37 minutes ago Top Stories - Reuters


By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Thursday said a national anti-steroid policy might be needed to deter the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs among Major League Baseball players and the student athletes who idolize them.


As a high-profile showdown between Congress and baseball got underway, lawmakers said the sport bore responsibility for spiraling rates of illegal steroid use among high school athletes and needed to do more to clean up its act.


"You can't do this just by sending people into the classrooms and talking about it. You've got to start from the top down," said Virginia Rep. Tom Davis, chairman of the House of Representatives Government Reform Committee.


Other lawmakers suggested Congress could revoke the sport's antitrust exemption that has shielded it from competition.


"They are not bigger than the game and they are certainly not bigger than the law of the land," said Kentucky Republican Sen. Jim Bunning (news, bio, voting record), a former pitcher in the Baseball Hall of Fame.


Baseball has come under widespread scrutiny following allegations arising from the landmark BALCO lab case in California that some top players enhanced their performance with muscle-building steroids.


Some of the sport's biggest stars, along with several top baseball officials, were scheduled to testify.


The witnesses include ex-slugger Jose Canseco, who says there has been widespread use of steroids in the game despite claims to the contrary by Major League Baseball.


"Why did I take steroids? The answer is simple. Because myself and others had no choice if we wanted to continue playing. Because MLB did nothing to take it out of the sport," Canseco said in prepared testimony.


Canseco, a former Oakland Athletics star, said in his recent controversial book he took steroids with some of the biggest names in the game, including former home-run king Mark McGwire, now retired, and Rafael Palmeiro, now with the Baltimore Orioles. Both deny Canseco's charges and were scheduled to testify.


POLICY BEARS FRUIT


The leading two U.S. major professional sports, baseball and NFL, have lagged behind the rest of the world in tackling the issue of illegal drug use and imposing penalties.


The World Anti-Doping Agency, created in 1999 to set international standards for combating drugs in sports and to pursue illegal users, has attacked baseball for not cracking down harder on cheats.


MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said the sport's anti-steroid efforts are bearing fruit. Fewer than 2 percent of tests were positive last year, down from 5 to 7 percent in 2003, the first year of testing, he said in prepared testimony.


A new policy announced in January says players who fail drug tests would be identified and suspended for 10 days.


Yet the committee said on Wednesday that a subpoenaed copy of the policy, marked "still in draft form," showed violators could instead be fined and not identified.


Rob Manfred, an MLB executive vice president, issued a statement insisting baseball would suspend and identify violators.





Lawmakers said a national anti-drug policy may be necessary because baseball's attempts at self-regulation have been a bust.

"For 30 years Major League Baseball has told us to trust them, but the league hasn't honored that trust," said California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman (news, bio, voting record).

Other players scheduled to testify include slugger Sammy Sosa, who has denied using steroids, along with Curt Schilling and Frank Thomas, both outspoken opponents of steroids.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Ferraro)

[mohican]

With porous borders, too many illegal aliens, and California wanting statehood, why is the Senate piddling around with this?

Because McCain thinks he didn't get enough face time with the incumbent preservation act (oops, I meant campaign finance reform) and wants more visibility for a 2008 presidential run?

Or maybe because it's easy to clamp down on a few hundred pro baseball players, and not really address the illegal drug trade?

Maybe I can work up the nerve to tell you how I really feel about this collossal waste of time.

[Emtmom]

With porous borders, too many illegal aliens, and California wanting statehood, why is the Senate piddling around with this?

Because McCain thinks he didn't get enough face time with the incumbent preservation act (oops, I meant campaign finance reform) and wants more visibility for a 2008 presidential run?

Or maybe because it's easy to clamp down on a few hundred pro baseball players, and not really address the illegal drug trade?

Maybe I can work up the nerve to tell you how I really feel about this collossal waste of time.OK, please by all means do, after all we wouldn't want you to hold back!
My problem with any athlete taking drugs is that it leads kids to believe the only way to be good at the sport is to pop that little magic pill. I know, here we go again with all the people who will say that kids don't look up to them. PLEASE, who are you trying to kid!
Could they be using the time and money on something more productive, like illegal drugs, sure they could. How exactly do you subpena drug dealers?

[STEALTH MODE]

Don't get me wrong - LOVE sports... But, if they want to pump their systems full of steroids, go for it... They are adults and they know the consequences (or lack there of...) People are STUPID... period! :eek:

[TruckieorDuckie]

Ok, First let me say that these are just my opinions and this is America and everybody has the right to express them. I'm sure there will be people who will disagree with me as well as some who agree. I don't hold your opinions against you so don't do the same to me. There that being said I will now stand on my soap box.

I will agree with all three of you. EMTMOM brings up some very good points. How will the kids know about fair play and all and who will be their role models. Let's look at the homerun record a couple of years ago or even Barry Bonds the last couple of years. In my opinion the home run record a couple of years ago should not be recongized because I believe both were on the juice and that makes the record null and void. Do you really think Roger Maris had any "help". Please give me a break,of course he didn't,steroids were not even thought of back than. Don't even get me started on Bonds. He alone gives baseball a large black eye. Come on how stupid are baseball fans really. Every baseball fan should really look at baseball as a whole. Boycott just one game have the players walk out into an empty stadium maybe they will realize that they are for the most part a bunch of overpaid cry babies. I personally have not been to a baseball game in years. Maybe if I get free tickets or my son gets old enough and wants to go I will but I personally could care less about baseball. I won't even watch it on TV. I'm more of a football and NASCAR fan anyway. The baseball players can get their money from someone else but it won't be from me.

Anyway enough of my soapbox i'm done. Thank you for letting me vent.

[mohican]

[QUOTE=TruckieorDuckie] Do you really think Roger Maris had any "help". Please give me a break,of course he didn't,steroids were not even thought of back than.
QUOTE]

No steroids in the 1950's or 1960s? We beg to differ

Sincerely
The hairy chinned Soviet Womens Olympic Swim Team

Steroid use among professional athletes probably took off in the 80s, but I know of a few football players that took steroids back in Maris's time period.

[Chia6004]

Let em, I could truthfully care less. Their are FAR more important issues out there for me to occupy my time with.

[Veritas]

Just wanted to put my two cents into the discussion here

As an athlete, I have always been taught that the steroids defeat the purpose of the competition. The point of the competition, originally, was not to score as many touchdowns, homeruns, and goals as you can. It was a Competition between men. The point of the game was to beat out another man (per Vince Lombardi).

What I am getting at is that we can all pump loads of steroids and be Arnold-like, but that defeats the point of the competition. If talking physique only (not the skill), the competition brings a physique against the physique. Now, alternating the physique is a way of cheating the competion and de-moralizing the competition.

Just wanted to put my two cents in. Please correct me if I am wrong

[Emtmom]

Just wanted to put my two cents into the discussion here

As an athlete, I have always been taught that the steroids defeat the purpose of the competition. The point of the competition, originally, was not to score as many touchdowns, homeruns, and goals as you can. It was a Competition between men. The point of the game was to beat out another man (per Vince Lombardi).

What I am getting at is that we can all pump loads of steroids and be Arnold-like, but that defeats the point of the competition. If talking physique only (not the skill), the competition brings a physique against the physique. Now, alternating the physique is a way of cheating the competion and de-moralizing the competition.

Just wanted to put my two cents in. Please correct me if I am wrongTHANK YOU!!!!!!!!! That's the whole point to them wanting all these athletes off steroids, so that kids learn what you did!

[Veritas]

The only thing is that when it comes to kid, how do you explain that to a kid? They're young, they'll do whatever it takes to get that shiny new award, or win the States and etc.

[Rackin A Round]

Okay, my opinion here probably will not be well liked...but here i go anyways. First and foremost, the pro ball athletes; I was stuck between answering no and who cares. They are adults, they make their own decisions. I too believe that congress has much better things to do than to worry about steriods and ball players. Second, the kids who idolize them; you are kids, you might look up to McGwire, Jones, Griffey, A-Rod, etc. but it is up to the parents to make sure they dont use steriods themselves. Where the hell has parenting gone to? I hear everyone crying, "Oh God, now my kid will want to use steriods to be like Mark McGwire!" well you know what? They are your own freakin kids, take care of it! We wouldn't have to worry about kids doing this stuff if the parents actually stepped up to the plate and started being PARENTS!!!!!

[Emtmom]

Okay, my opinion here probably will not be well liked...but here i go anyways. First and foremost, the pro ball athletes; I was stuck between answering no and who cares. They are adults, they make their own decisions. I too believe that congress has much better things to do than to worry about steriods and ball players. Second, the kids who idolize them; you are kids, you might look up to McGwire, Jones, Griffey, A-Rod, etc. but it is up to the parents to make sure they dont use steriods themselves. Where the hell has parenting gone to? I hear everyone crying, "Oh God, now my kid will want to use steriods to be like Mark McGwire!" well you know what? They are your own freakin kids, take care of it! We wouldn't have to worry about kids doing this stuff if the parents actually stepped up to the plate and started being PARENTS!!!!!I don't think your opinion will be all that unpopular. It's true, you're right, but, even when parents have been active in kids lives peer pressure and outside pressures have taken over. There are kids in high schools taking steroids and the parents find out when the kid either lands in the hospital or dies.
I couldn't go anywhere without my parents knowing who I was with, where we were going, when I'd be back. My parents were very strict. Let me tell you, if they knew half the shit I did when I was a kid, they would have killed me. Strict parenting doesn't always work, I did some of the stupid stuff just because my friends were doing it. Kids don't always listen or is it they don't always hear you?

[Rackin A Round]

I can understand that, being a young parent I have a child myself. Maybe not strict parenting works, my parents were pretty strict, but I wasnt the one out there doing drugs, drinking and driving, etc. You have got to make the child respect their self. The need to respect their own body and know that not everyone out there can look like the huge ball players....not everyone needs to. There are some still baseball players that believe in making a good image. One of my favorite players, Chipper Jones isn't even the best person to look up to. Sure, he doesn't use drugs, he doesn't even spit tabacco like other players, but he does have his faults. These people are human, they make mistakes, but it is up to the parents to explain to the kids that these mistakes have put them steps behind everyone else.

[No Fear]

I don't think they should use roids. Its against the law, bottom line

[OCNYFireBuff]

When the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball is only making a million a year, and that pinnacle is reached only by an elite few, maybe then I'll pretend to care about them.

As for 'roids, I say no. Between the health hazards/risks and the illegal nature if it....why bother?

BTW...in case nobody noticed, pro wrestlers have been "on the juice" for years, but since the mainstream media doesn't give Vince and Co. the time of day unless a major scandal or tragedy occurs, I guess they don't have much to worry about.

And yes, I agree....Parents should do their job. Raise and discipline their kids to be decent, respectable law-abiding people, and they will know enough to do the right thing. However, until the greed in corporate America is brought under control, that's not likely to happen. But, that's another rant for another thread. :rolleyes:

[Veritas]

OCNY-

Great point about wrestling, though! Nowadays so many kids are following wrestling and so many wrestlers are abnormally buff. Speaking of setting an example there for the kids

[Emtmom]

OCNY-

Great point about wrestling, though! Nowadays so many kids are following wrestling and so many wrestlers are abnormally buff. Speaking of setting an example there for the kids
That's why I said pro athletes, it covers them all!

[Veritas]

That's why I said pro athletes, it covers them all!

I have something to say about wrestling (televised) being a true sport.....

[Rackin A Round]

OCNY - I agree 100%, how many people look up to wrestlers? Alot more than you think. Of course, now teenagers are doing the 'backyard' wrestling and getting seriously injured. I dont know if you all heard of this sort of sport, but it is WWE but real. They really hit people with metal chairs, jump off of the roof in a back yard, elbow drop their opponent, use barbed wire, etc. I guess this really doesn't get televised though, who would want to see that pro athelets are having that much of an influence on today's youth?

[EMT/FF99]

Yes the Goverment has quite a bit on its plate to deal with & no one can deny that at all. Steroids is considered as a Drug, Plain & Simple. If they are illegal for Athletes to use them & they are caught using them, suspend their asses, fine them!! Plain & Simple. Kids these days are very easily influneced by peer groups -vs- what alot of us were when we were growing up (I am in my mid 40s). Baseball, Football, Wrestling (WWE) are the 3 main, that I know hearing of their Athletes using Steroids. (Not really sure about Hockey though, havent really heard) Look at what the Steroids can do to a Human Body years down the road, when its use is stopped by the person.

What are the Athletes trying to show kids these days? Here Kid, check it out,,best way to cheat & win is pump this crap in your body!!!!!!! Just looking at the Sports News (recently) there is what 1 or 2 Ball Players stating "They will NOT tell if they used Steroids at all?" Hell, suspend, fine & bounce their asses out of the game for a season. Let them ride the low road for a while.

In my opinion,,they dont truely love the sport, if they are pushing steroirds within their system(s).

[OCNYFireBuff]

Whether or not WWE (or Pro Wrestling in general) should be considered a sport is strictly matter of opinion, and could probably take up a whole thread on it's own. However, as far as the long-term effects of what steroids can do to the body, just look at Superstar Billy Graham, the "larger than life" World Champion back in the mid-70's. Now battling numerous health issues, not to mention a replaced hip or two. The guy looks about 20 years older than he actually is.

[hog]

they should be illegel unless prescribed by a doctor....the shame of it is that back in the old days the ball players were good players and didn`t need that crap

[? BUCKY IS HERE]

This whole steroid debate is only about Bonds passing Ruth and obliterating all his records. Ruth records aren't really records in the first place because all of them were established against his race. Bonds will always be the best hitter ever in baseball no matter how many false stories that get so called leaked. Grand jury leaks with no investigation. That speaks for itself. This pathetic because while all idiots called sportswriters keep putting out unrealistic stories its going to cost real fans to miss what is really history.

[Emtmom]

This whole steroid debate is only about Bonds passing Ruth and obliterating all his records. Ruth records aren't really records in the first place because all of them were established against his race. Bonds will always be the best hitter ever in baseball no matter how many false stories that get so called leaked. Grand jury leaks with no investigation. That speaks for itself. This pathetic because while all idiots called sportswriters keep putting out unrealistic stories its going to cost real fans to miss what is really history.
This whole thing is about getting illegal drugs OUT of sports!

[Veritas]

By the way, why don't we educate children about it in health classes and all? I mean it's just as serious as talking about not smoking and not doing drugs! I mean, I don't remember going through HS and ever hearing anything about how bad the steroids are, and now I watch the werestlers and the football players all abnormally shaped.

Another thing is that a bigger body might not ALWAYS help you out. I've seen some of those football players, all big and buff, but when it comes to the game itself they can't run a yard! I mean, MAYBE if you're a lineman or something that MIGHT help you (theoretically speaking) but then, it's just not as useful as kids think.

Why don't the sports coaches address the issue too? I mean, ive had great coaches and they've always told me how bad steroid are for you (well... growing hair on my chin was MY biggest concern, just kidding). But I dont see too many of them out there addressing the issue....

And by the way, I know that we are mostly talking pro-sports here, but those issues start in childhood, so why not extinguish the problem at the root?

[Emtmom]

By the way, why don't we educate children about it in health classes and all? I mean it's just as serious as talking about not smoking and not doing drugs! I mean, I don't remember going through HS and ever hearing anything about how bad the steroids are, and now I watch the werestlers and the football players all abnormally shaped.

Another thing is that a bigger body might not ALWAYS help you out. I've seen some of those football players, all big and buff, but when it comes to the game itself they can't run a yard! I mean, MAYBE if you're a lineman or something that MIGHT help you (theoretically speaking) but then, it's just not as useful as kids think.

Why don't the sports coaches address the issue too? I mean, ive had great coaches and they've always told me how bad steroid are for you (well... growing hair on my chin was MY biggest concern, just kidding). But I dont see too many of them out there addressing the issue....

And by the way, I know that we are mostly talking pro-sports here, but those issues start in childhood, so why not extinguish the problem at the root? Good points, and kids should be taught early, here's the problem you're going to get told. NO MONEY for it! Our school district has a limited budget,( I live in a small mill town), as do most. Here's what they decided 3 years ago, we are going to cut the DARE program out of the budget. WHY? Because kids in town are doing drugs, so it must not be working! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? As far as I'm concerned if it stops 1 kid from doing drugs, it's working! Unfortunately that's the way it goes these days. Of course when they found out the counselor at the high school was selling drugs did they fire him? NO, they put him on paid leave until he went to jail a year and a half later, then they fired him.

[No Fear]

Thats great Bucky now play the race card. Do you know what Bonds and Clinton have in common. Bond unwittingly place a unknown cream on his ass ( what hell was it then sperm) Clinton I did not have sexual relations ( for Chia oral copulation ) with that woman. You guess it both are liars. At least what Clinton did was not against the law.

[STEALTH MODE]

Of course when they found out the counselor at the high school was selling drugs did they fire him? NO, they put him on paid leave until he went to jail a year and a half later, then they fired him.
Oh my GOD - did NOT fire him... That's great. The school probably would not have had to cut the DARE program if they would have FIRED him and used that salary to pay for the program! Schools, I swear - "we care about the kids" and "our first concern is the children"... whatever! :(