Senator Specter Has Got to Stop

This is going to be an odd viewpoint for the Jets beat writer. As a Jets fan, which makes me a Patriot hater, I should want the Patriots investigated to the full extent of the Senator's powers. But I don't. Specter is blowing this was out of proportion and he is doing so to gain voting support.

He is asking for a Mitchell-like investigation. That is totally uncalled for. The reason is the severity of the situation. Mitchell was investigating an illegal act, the use of steroids. Congress has every right to be involved when people are committing illegal acts. This act of the Patriots is nowhere near the level of steroid use. The Patriots committed an act against the rules of football, and if the rules were different, wouldn't be against the rules. They have now been caught, and they were punished. Congress has no business being involved. This week, Matt Walsh made the league aware of tapes they already knew about. Senator Specter has more important things to worry about than the Patriots and the NFL.

Unless of course, he is involving himself to earn votes with his football fan constituents. We have to be aware of his motives here. He has previously been quoted as taking issue as to the fact that the Eagles lost to the Pats in the Super Bowl. Now, look at the nfl.com article where the Senator states the following:

"I have a different perspective," Specter said. "I'm elected by 12 million people., and a lot of them are Steeler fans. ... Frankly I'm incensed about what happened with the Steelers, and I'm incensed about the notes being destroyed. I really am."

This is a revealing insight into the Senator's motives. He is upset that his teams lost, and he is trying to make the Patriots pay for beating his teams, and earn votes all the while. Nothing more and nothing less. He isn't interested in the integrity of the game, he is an angry sports fan that is annoyed that his teams lost. And as much as I would love to see the Patriots lose everything, he has no business pushing this. This needs to stop now.

Cougar2000All-American

546 days ago

Score -5

No, Senator Spector, you're elected by the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and no other state. BUTT THE HELL OUT!

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Taytay 24All-American

546 days ago

Score 4

I'm pretty sure Pittsburgh is in Pennsylvania.

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JuTMSY4Legend

545 days ago

Score 2

quick history lesson... Elected to represent the commonwealth...but on the national stage...

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

545 days ago

Score -3

And the Patriots are in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, BUTT THE HELL OUT!!!

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Taytay 24All-American

546 days ago

Score 0

I'm not sure this needs to be a congressional issue, either, but I think you are underplaying what happened a bit. They did not just break a rule. This is not pass interference or a chop block. What they did has brought into question the integrity of the game. By the way, this is the same reason congress is involved in baseball, not because steroids are illegal. Again, I'm not ready to say congress should dive in anyway, but there is more to the issue than "breaking rules".

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CheezerAll-Star

545 days ago

Score 3

1. I'm still undecided as to whether I support Specter's activities. Something funny is going on here, but at the same time...doesn't he have anything better to do?

2. Does anybody know anything about fair broadcasting laws? Since NFL games are transmitted over the air as fair competition aren't they subject to FCC rule as such? If there is cheating, thus making the competition unfair, is that subject to FCC review? If not the FCC, then the governing body of the people (Congress)?

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JuTMSY4Legend

545 days ago

Score 3

I'm taking a stab here

but fair broadcasting as it relates to competition amongst broadcasts...if that were true, what would have been done regarding the WWE/WWF with wrestling, which was presented as real for some time

Continuing with the wrestling trend, i remember a fight coming up whe WWE bought their main competitor, WCW and there were concerns over whether it was a monopoly...the result was that it was not, as wrestling is merely a TV show (and traveling show)....and you have the option of watching something else

Same applies to the NFL i suppose

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CheezerAll-Star

545 days ago

Score 2

I don't know...The NFL is not subject to the same criteria as the WWE. Note that while the WWE is defined as a fiction television show, the NFL is a monopoly. The government has acknowledged that and they were fined in the USFL Anti-trust case. One whole dollar.

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

545 days ago

Score 0

One dollar per year of the USFL's existence. So, three dollars total. What a joke. It always made me wonder what was the point? If the NFL was deemed a monopoly, why the lack of any real penalty?

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CheezerAll-Star

545 days ago

Score 3

Thanks for the correction. The memory isn't what it used to be...

I think.

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

545 days ago

Score 0

And no need to call me on my naivete...I'm sure there are many factors that went into it that I don't care to hear. The bottom line is that the NFL is a monopoly. And a powerful one at that. I'm sure the NFL feels very strongly that they would like nothing more than for the perception that cheating is going on in their league - by coaches, especially the coach of such a high profile team - just fade away as quickly and quietly as possible. And they'll probably get their wish.

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Xman2008Varsity

546 days ago

Score 0

Can't you Pennsylvanians do something about him? Make him go to his room or something?

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BigpeelerJV Squad

545 days ago

Score -4

If the NFL doesn't have the collective balls to stand up to Belichick and his sycophantic entourage, then I say go get them Mr.Spector. I've lost all respect for that shill Goodell. There's something fishy about this whole thing and a lot of people seem to be trying hard to get it swept under the rug. I listen to the apologists on ESPN and already they speak of this matter in the past tense, like all is well and let's move on. Let Specter poke around a little. Only those who have something to hide will be the ones raising a stink. I for one, love this.

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False ProphetAll-Star

545 days ago

Score 4

the NFL caught the pats, and asked BB what other games he had taped. His answers matched up with the tapes that walsh turned over. Unless someone has more evidence that is inconsistent with what is already known, there's no reason to continue it

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

545 days ago

Score 4

I don't know - I'd enjoy seeing the Pats hung out to dry, but this also just seems like grandstanding on the part of Specter. And I don't know if I believe he's really a sports fan! It just seems to me like all he wants is the attention. If Goodell had just suspended BB's dumb ass from the getgo, this probably would not be a topic of conversation now.

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Pwinter713Varsity

545 days ago

Score 2

Need I remind you that this is the same genius who dreamed up the "Magic Bullet" scenario when he worked for the Warren Commission.

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Steel TownDraft Pick

545 days ago

Score 0

Please, tell us what really happened then.

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

545 days ago

Score 6

There was a second spitter, Jerry! And it was Roger McDowell!

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OvertheedgeVarsity

545 days ago

Score 0

specter is annoying

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

545 days ago

Score 3

But every other politician is cool, right?

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JuTMSY4Legend

545 days ago

Score 3

heh, actually listened to D&C this morning and they mentioned how the mass folks have no right to call specter an idiot Afterall, they elect Kennedy....ha

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

545 days ago

Score 2

I didn't vote for Kennedy, does that mean I still can't call Specter an idiot?

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

545 days ago

Score 0

You can call Specter an idiot. Or you can call him Al...

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

545 days ago

Score 1

"has got to stop"... That's some "East Coast speak" right there folks...

"Got" is the past participle of "get"...

"has to stop" - translated into English.

Sorry, I "have got to" do it... I'm from Pennsylvania - You know, the place where you've "got" a friend...

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AlanschechVarsity

545 days ago

Score 2

Thanks for the translation Manny. :)

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

545 days ago

Score 0

Yeah, I'm a prick sometimes...

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

545 days ago

Score 3

I'm still confused about what Specter meant by "Mitchell Report" type of investigation. Does he want to investigate into all the other NFL teams, and see who else did this kind of thing? Or does he want to go deeper into what the Patriots did and how the NFL investigated it? And for all the conspiracy theorists out there, are you just now noticing that the NFL is secretive about potentially embarrassing issues? When a player gets busted for "violating the League's substance abuse policy," that's usually all the info you're gonna get from the NFL. And when the Patriots were caught illegally filming in Green Bay, it was kept quiet (by the NFL, the Packers, and the Pats).

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Steel TownDraft Pick

545 days ago

Score 3

When a player gets busted for substance abuse aren't they protected by HIPPA. I thought that was protected private info unless it is a DUI or other Criminal charge.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

545 days ago

Score 1

Violating the substance abuse policy doesn't necessarily mean they tested positive. If they don't show up for a test, that's a violation.

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

545 days ago

Score 0

When you're a monopoly, you can pretty much do what you like. What are fans going to do? Watch the other football leagues? Just let this thing die. Prolonging it will accomplish nothing.

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Yakob878MVP

545 days ago

Score 0

can some one expalin to me why the guy's opinon is valued so much has he done anything like this in the past, i'm not hating just curious

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

545 days ago

Score 0

he's still looking for the smoking gun behind the magic bullet

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Pwinter713Varsity

545 days ago

Score 0

Don Banks has a good take on the senator. http://sport...r/index.html

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FrugolfVarsity Captain

544 days ago

Score 2

I believe this whole thing could have been prevented if the commish didn't destroy the tapes.It makes it look like there was something to hide.That having been said I'm a pennsylvanian that's happy to say I didn't vote for nor will I ever vote for the good Senator.

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JuTMSY4Legend

544 days ago

Score 0

Not to get too political, but I couldn't stomach voting for Toomey or Hoeffel, both too far on opposite ends of the spectrum for me... Much like Santorum in 06, who made me sicker as time progressed

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Steel TownDraft Pick

544 days ago

Score 0

Yeah, I like Spector, outside of this. He is really a middle of the road guy like Jut Said.

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Steel TownDraft Pick

544 days ago

Score 0

Heck, republicans and democrats hate him. That means he must be doing something right.

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Bball3345Draft Pick

544 days ago

Score 1

How does Specter reason that Congress interfering in the NFL is either doable or justifiable? The rule the Patriots broke was an NFL rule, not Federal law, which differentiates this case from the steroid issue in the MLB (not that Congress should have stepped into that one either). If someone working at Wal Mart was breaking the dress code, would Specter see the need to call on Congress? Spygate is an internal NFL issue and the Commissioner should deal with it as he sees fit. If the public does not like how it is handled by the NFL, then they can stop watching football and Roger Goodell will be punished by lost fan interest and revenue. However, I don't think NFL fans really care about Spygate and would rather not see their tax dollars spent to fund Congress for an investigation brought about by what is clearly Specter pandering to Steelers fans.

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JuTMSY4Legend

544 days ago

Score 2

This NFL fan cares about spygate ; - )

Specter doesn't care about steelers fans...the bulk of his constuency is Philadelphians

Congress's right extends from the NFL's antitrust exemption and by virtue of this they do indeed have every right to interfere. Whether its practical is another matter

and the MLB investigation was slightly different, but while the steroids (drugs) issue may involve federal law, attempting to get the MLB to fix their steroid issue really isn't...i mean punishing "users" and stopping trafficing is one thing, but fixing the MLB has a bit of a different issue, however the antitrust exemption still gives them any and all right

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Taytay 24All-American

544 days ago

Score 0

This one, too. I value honesty and fair play. If you have to cheat, what's the point?

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Bball3345Draft Pick

544 days ago

Score 1

I know Specter used the anti-trust exemption to justify this, but how does that extend to the matter of Spygate? Doesn't the exemption (in the NFL) just deal with broadcasting rights?

I do agree that Specter is more likely to pander to Eagles fans, but it wouldn't hurt to snag a few Steelers fans as well :P

And Specter seems to be frequently pestering the NFL, does he seriously not have anything better to do?

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Bball3345Draft Pick

544 days ago

Score 1

Also, from the Supreme Court:

The NFL owners are joint venturers who produce a product, professional football, which competes with other sports and other forms of entertainment in the entertainment marketplace. Although individual NFL teams compete on the playing field, they rarely compete in the marketplace. . . . The league competes as a unit against other forms of entertainment.

If NFL teams don't compete against each other in the marketplace, then doesn't this hurt Specter's case for using antitrust law to require "fair and honest" play amongst teams?

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

544 days ago

Score 1

The NFL does not have the same anti-trust rules that baseball does. The anti-trust the NFL enjoys ONLY allowed the AFL to merge with the NFL.

Otherwise, the USFL, XFL and Arena League would never been allowed to start.

The NFL cannot attempt to sway or steal business from other leagues or it would be disbanded.

So, "anti-trust" for the NFL just allows it to exist and not eph with rival leagues.

MLB's anti-trust makes it impossible for you to start another league without MLB being free to steal players from your league.

BIG DIFFERENCE.

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False ProphetAll-Star

544 days ago

Score 1

bball's quote is pretty damning. The New York Jets, the New England Patriots, and the Pittsburgh Steelers don't compete economically against each other, they all are united against everything else people can do/watch/follow during the season

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

523 days ago

Score 0

(spy gate?) tell me i forgot is ther a WAR going on, go help with that mr specter!

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