My answer to the headline question if I were a United States Senator would be, “I’m the defender of the masses. I am here to stand with my constituents, including all those less advantaged or ill equipped to represent and defend themselves, I’m here to represent their legitimate interests in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of the ramifications to me personally. In short, I’m here to serve the best interests of our country and her citizens.” That being stated I’m afraid the honest answer Pennsylvania’s senior U.S. Senator, Arlen Specter, if he could absolutely be forced to give it, would go something like this; “My primary purpose in this role is to insure my re-election. I can make this happen by best representing the interests of those that are capable of making large donations to my re-election fund. Secondarily, I’m also very interested in representing those that are capable of growing my personal fortune.” With this in mind, it becomes very easy to follow Senator Specter’s rise to positions of power within the U.S. Senate since these positions are based upon seniority. In other words, a Senator doesn’t become the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee without tenure and Specter is the most re-elected U.S. Senator in the history of Pennsylvania having now served 28 years in this capacity. He started his professional career as a Philadelphia lawyer. Initially a Democrat then switching his party affiliation to the Republican side, his career has been marked by one quest for political office after another. He finally reached his level of ineptitude in 1980 when first elected to the U.S. Senate after the Republican incumbent, Richard Schweiker, announced his retirement. Specter then worked hard to follow his job description as he championed every cause that would add contributors to his re-election fund. The funding then led to successful re-election campaigns in every succeeding election up to the latest in 2004. Way to go Arlen, you make us all proud. Characterized as “Republican in name only” it’s my opinion that independent U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut is actually much more conservative than Specter. You see, sitting on the fence allows you to jump off on either side of an issue. It’s just a question of where the funding might be greater!
So how has this discussion found it’s way onto a sports blog in the Fox Sports blogging community? Well, let me tell you. Senator Specter has taken the NFL and it’s Commissioner Roger Goodell to task over it’s handling of the “Spygate” issue. An issue that accused the New England Patriots’ coaching staff of filming their competitors and trying to figure out their coach’s hand signals sent to defensive players on the field. The New York Jets’ head coach, Eric Mangini, a former coach with the Pats made the accusations. Using the moralistic high ground of the effects of cheating on America’s youth, the good Senator publicly questioned Commissioner Goodell when it appeared Goodell, who investigated the accusation and eventually doled out penalties to the Patriots and their head coach Bill Belichick, had adequately addressed the problem and was ready to move on. Specter’s insistence that the NFL continue to probe the issue led him to question the Patriots’ close Super Bowl and playoff victories putting the NFL on notice that this investigation must carry on. The revelations about a person who formerly worked for the Patriots as a cameraman having videos of other teams, rekindled Specter’s interest and more calls for NFL action were forthcoming. Commissioner Goodell was forced to spend his time trying to appease the Senator and finally the NFL was forced to interview the cameraman. This happened earlier this week with the Commissioner stating that nothing new was learned through this process and hoping that the case might finally be put to rest. But Senator Specter had to continue his grandstanding efforts talking to the cameraman himself. This interview brought new calls for further investigation on the NFL’s part, although Specter had to admit he didn’t foresee the Senate becoming involved in an investigation of their own…
Why, you might ask yourself, is this Senator from Pennsylvania so interested? Is he simply the Champion of Youth in America and concerned that they may perceive cheating to be a common and accepted practice? Please remember the job description I believe Senator Specter would give if forced to be honest.
So where’s the money, Arlen? As all you avid NFL fans know, the NFL has started their own cable television channel (the NFL Network) and they have busily been positioning this revenue generating venture on the various cable networks around the country. One of the largest cable television networks, Comcast Cable, has been embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the NFL over the rights to distribute the NFL Network. Like any modern American corporation when things don’t go the way they believe it should, they turn to the good old boys in our government to get the ball rolling their way. Enter Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter… I swear these corporate CEO’s have a rolodex heading “Influence Peddlers” and the first name in that category is the senior Senator from Pennsylvania. It has come to our attention that Comcast is the second largest contributor to Senator Specter’s campaign fund. Who is the largest? Well that would be the law firm that represents Comcast Cable. If you tally up all the various types of contributions made by these two entities, their employees, their Political Action Committees, and their family members, the total would be over $500,000. Now that will keep the good Senator on the NFL’s case for quite some time. The campaign contributions will then be used to keep the wool pulled over the eyes of the citizens of the great state of Pennsylvania!
Isn’t it great?
You don’t get pictures of yourself like this for no reason…
He's gotta get re-elected! What is more important than that?
I could sit here and probably come up with several hundred issues of great importance to our country and citizens that seemingly never get resolved. Stepping out and championing those issues might prove detrimental to your political well being... Sure as hell can't go there!
Dwindy 1
First of all he's senatorial representative for the state of Pennsylvania. He sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee for which he's the leading Rpeublican and head of that bold body. And considering the appointees that've been made to the Supreme Court and Federal bench. We oughtn't to be susprised by that at all.
Other than that I can't tell you what the hell that he's actaully done in his almost two decades in office. Terms limits now ought to be a prerequisite for guys like this as he's done not a damn thing for the electorate at all.
He's trying to tell us that Spygate is more important than dealing with the needs of vets and the major economic issues that this country faces ? The guy is a complete #### and we're beginning to find out what he's all about. Steelers' fan or not he's a buffoon !
Look boys and girls pork barrel spending does have its merits. I can line my pockets with some of your hard earnt money. Arlen Specter not a transformer in disguise but a pig !
While I disagree with Arlen's stance on his latest involvement.......I do stand with him as a Senator from Pennsylvania. He quite often did battle with his GOP collegues and the President over issues. He is only in the news now because the media is hanging on his every word ala the Mitchell report. What he has called for is fair, cause I do believe a lot has been swept under the table by Goodel for what the NFL sees as not washing its dirty linen out in the public eye.
Perhaps there should be a fair and unbiased investigation.....but not by the Congress or any politicians, we all know it would not be fair nor unbiased........I see it coming, some type of adhoc committee to oversee all sports, if the sports do not begin to "police" themselves.
Lets be honest.....do you think the players are not still "juicing"? There are now substances out there that hide ALL evidence by masking usage of enhancement drugs and there are certainly other "enhancement" drugs not yet termed "illegal".
Yeah, I wish he would shut up and pay attention to what is really important....but it is too late for that.
By the way...seems Congress has passed a ####on bill giving themselves a $15,000 pension for life; they only have to serve ONE term to receive it!!
I could care less about Spygate, and I HATE the Pats. Congress should not insert itself into a private business and try to manage their rules, or question their discipline. I also don't care if Congress granted that business a pass with anti-trust and other laws. When Congress enacts legislation to your benifit, does that give them any right to micromanage your business?
Grandstanding! that is exactly what this is. And, this will have about as much closure or resolution as the steroids issue did in Congress. None!
Specter wouldn't be where he is today without the Comcasts of this world. When they tell him to jump all he wants to know is how much are you paying me...
It's a system that was never intended by our forefathers and we get to reap the benefits... I'm sure Arlen Specter has been good for Pennsylvania, when he had to be.
It's too bad he has degenerated to such obvious tactics...
Our Constitutional writers had no way of knowing how twisted their words would become. Patriot law makers lasted about fifty years. We've been at the mercy of the money grubbers ever since. Senator Specter is just one in a long line of the good old boys...
Well, I laughed at Senator Comcast's press conference. First the #### tried to compare videotaping signals is like cheating on a grade school test. Then he want a Mitchell report type of investigation that doesn't include every team just the Patriots. Does he realize the Mitchell at least tried to nail every team? Two reasons: 1) If it's a full on investigation, he's afraid his Eagles may have dirty laundry.
2) The only reason for this fight in the first place is to stick it to the NFL for not listening to the demands of Comcast.
fuzzboss
I'd love for Specter to remain impartial but when he comes out and makes an impromptu statement that he's a Steelers' fan. And then has the temerity to state that he's not satisfied with the League's actions it smacks of ridicule.
If only he'd look at some of the inner workings of the Senate in the same way . No doubt the country would be better off ! The man is being a pompous #### and we all know it , yourself included !
The old boy is trying his darndest to earn that Comcast bone! It would actually be funny but he's spending the taxpayer's money so he can earn a stipend from a private interest, and I've got a problem with that. I think if there are any investigations by the U.S. Senate they should center on who among our esteemed elected officials are on the take and once they figure that out they should all fire themselves...
If they find an elected Federal official not on the take, they should #### a monument to that person!
We all know your Alen Spector, i already outted you, but in your defence, i cant name one polatician who we cant say does the same things.
This reminds me of when Bill Clinton signed a bill allowing the tax payers, me and you, to pay for wine commercials aired in Europe. He said he was expanding American markets. Come to find out, the boy's in the Napa Valley kicked in about a half a million to his election campaign. Arlen just doesnt mask it as well as some, but i forgive you Dwindy Spector1, i know your just following the herd
If it was the herd's mentality people like Arlen Specter would never be heard of because the herd wouldn't vote him into office in the first place...
I liken my role to Paul Revere trying to warn people about these money grubbers... My tax dollars are being wasted by the Arlen Specters in Washington... I guess that doesn't bother you and for that reason, my friend, you are the herd member...
By herd, i meant "polaticions" not the rest of us.. Sorry, i should have maybe said, "following the statice quo" My point was, that i believe you are Senator Spector LOL, and that all of these guy's do it, line their pockets and say their doing it for the good of the tax payer. How did you misunderstand that?
Did you not see my comment above about the Senate doing an investigation of themselves and if they find someone not on the take they need to #### a monument to that person... Then fire themselves in favor of honest people!
Or hows this? Why did the Tarriff laws change, allowing the BIG three auto makers to have their cars made in Canada and Mexico cheaply. Why? They donate at least 1 million to the Republican and Democrats campain funds. Funny, they don't do the same for the Green or Independent parties, guess they dont think they can win. The "herd" the political and corporate herd. I hope you get what i meant, im tired of typing.
Dwindy--The stae of things right now are crazy Im chooesing betwen groceries or gas... them wasting taxpayers money on frivilous BS drives me nuts but I try to keep away from ranting about politics it dosnt do any good ...do you me or anyone else think we can change anything that goes on in Washington,,I say FuzzBoss for Presedent,,Then we might get something done..
No, i didn't read that comment. But if they did that , who would be left? they All do it! Take our money and corporate money, and thats why they can afford the best hookers. that's what it's all about, who get's the best hookers.
Keep posting these, because if you don't , were gonna have Ted Kennedy snooping into the Gretsky's hockey betting scandal
I can see the guys in black trenchcoats pulling into D-mans driveway as we speak its been nice knowing you---just remember name rank and serial number---dont let them break you--Not even if they use some large@b@os women on you..
I just wish if they were going to rob us blind, the least they could do would be to go back to the old days where they did it behind closed doors instead of right out in the open where everyone can see. It just reinforces the apathy, ya know?
Fact is that the NFL is a multi-BILLION dollar corporation. I don't see Spector meddling in the affairs of IBM, Exxon or General Mills looking for improprieties, that certainly exist. He's grandstanding in the spotlight of what coincidently is America's greatest sport. The public would never give a second thought or look if he was demanding Congress investigate stock option equities fraud. It's not sexy enough to get his name out there. He's the pied piper, and a few lonely souls followed his flute. For a while anyway.
Why do we need a congressional investigation or politics in sports?
Only in America .....do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.
I hear you loud and clear... I'm so tired of business as usual in Washington. We'd all be better off if they packed up all the special interest lobbyists and drove them out of town. The problem is that would allow the common people to run for public office, and they won't hear of that...
Are there any patriot citizens in public office anymore?
I've never heard your definition, but it sure does fit! Maybe someday, before it's too late, steps will be bravely taken that will remove the special interest influence in Washington. They are going to be the death of us...
Dwindy1 - But where do we turn? Specter is making a fool of himself but he isn't the only one. When was the last time we had a candidate for higher office that was truly deserving to hold that office based on what it is supposed to be about...governing for the people? I kick myself now because I voted for him but back when Jesse Ventura ran for Governor of Minnesota he said all the right things and was strongly opposed to taking special interest money because he didn't want to be in a situation where he owed them anything. A grand and noble gesture. Some of his platforms made a lot of sense to the hard, working class citizens of Minnesota. Sadly...about 1/2 way through his term...the real Jesse Ventura showed up...egomaniacal and all about HIM and his family. He couldn't deal with the press and any form of criticism was met with a childish and immature response. He closed down the Governor's Mansion to any visits including tourist's after it was disclosed that his son had a party there where several antiques and historical items...well...had issues with some of his guests. It was wrong and unfair of the people of Minnesota to expect that such a historic setting shouldn't become a party zone for the Gov's kid and people have no right to attack me or my family over this. SO...I'm closing it down so no one can use it. Whining like a baby. I'm taking my ball and going home! They all have their personal agendas and we as voters have to try and decipher what a candidate's agenda is while trying to determine who to vote for.
Were I a citizen of Pennsylvania I would be seeking information on another candidate because I'm pretty sure I want someone looking out for me...and not the NFL. I want someone who will jump all over oil companies that continue to report BILLIONS OF DOLLARS in quarterly profits while I am paying nearly 4 bucks for a gallon of gas. That is in MN...I'm not even sure what they are paying in PA. But I keep searching and voting and hoping it will make a difference. Takes a lot of work to search the trash don't you know?
Its all about the $$ and the PR to put his butt back in office. Fuzz's attack Pom needs to run for office. The Oil Companies are a bunch of greedy buzzards feeding off the American public....Coach: Its right at 4 here (St. Louis), passed 4 in Ill this week. My kid in Texas paid $3.76 recently--And thats where the refineries are!
"Are there any patriot citizens in public office anymore?"
The answer to your question. NO!. We are too busy trying to make ends meet in a society over run with political leaders padding their nest eggs at our expense.
I'm a sports fanatic living on the west coast of Florida. I'm a rare bird that moved here from the left coast a couple of years ago. I advocate an even playing field in all of life's endeavors.
best slot
would go something like this; “My primary purpose in this role is to insure my re-election. I can make this happen by best representing the interests of those that are capable of making large donations to my re-election fund. Secondarily, I’m also very interested in representing those that are capable of growing my personal fortune.” With this in mind, it becomes very easy to follow Senator Specter’s rise to positions of power within the U.S. Senate since these positions are based upon seniority. In other words, a Senator doesn’t become the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee without tenure and Specter is the most re-elected U.S. Senator in the history of Pennsylvania having now served 28 years in this capacity. He started his professional career as a Philadelphia lawyer. Initially a Democrat then switching his party affiliation to the Republican side, his career has been marked by one quest for political office after another. He finally reached his level of ineptitude in 1980 when first elected to the U.S. Senate after the Republican incumbent, Richard Schweiker, announced his retirement. Specter then worked hard to follow his job description as he championed every cause that would add contributors to his re-election fund. The funding then led to successful re-election campaigns in every succeeding election up to the latest in 2004. Way to go Arlen, you make us all proud. Characterized as “Republican in name only” it’s my opinion that independent U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut is actually much more conservative than Specter. You see, sitting on the fence allows you to jump off on either side of an issue. It’s just a question of where the funding might be greater!
handling of the “Spygate” issue. An issue that accused the New England Patriots’ coaching staff of filming their competitors and trying to figure out their coach’s hand signals sent to defensive players on the field. The New York Jets’ head coach, Eric Mangini, a former coach with the Pats made the accusations. Using the moralistic high ground of the effects of cheating on America’s youth, the good Senator publicly questioned Commissioner Goodell when it appeared Goodell, who investigated the accusation and eventually doled out penalties to the Patriots and their head coach Bill Belichick, had adequately addressed the problem and was ready to move on. Specter’s insistence that the NFL continue to probe the issue led him to question the Patriots’ close Super Bowl and playoff victories putting the NFL on notice that this investigation must carry on. The revelations about a person who formerly worked for the Patriots as a cameraman having videos of other teams, rekindled Specter’s interest and more calls for NFL action were forthcoming. Commissioner Goodell was forced to spend his time trying to appease the Senator and finally the NFL was forced to interview the cameraman. This happened earlier this week with the Commissioner stating that nothing new was learned through this process and hoping that the case might finally be put to rest. But Senator Specter had to continue his grandstanding efforts talking to the cameraman himself. This interview brought new calls for further investigation on the NFL’s part, although Specter had to admit he didn’t foresee the Senate becoming involved in an investigation of their own…
ongoing dispute with the NFL over the rights to distribute the NFL Network. Like any modern American corporation when things don’t go the way they believe it should, they turn to the good old boys in our government to get the ball rolling their way. Enter Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter… I swear these corporate CEO’s have a rolodex heading “Influence Peddlers” and the first name in that category is the senior Senator from Pennsylvania. It has come to our attention that Comcast is the second largest contributor to Senator Specter’s campaign fund. Who is the largest? 
Well that would be the law firm that represents Comcast Cable. If you tally up all the various types of contributions made by these two entities, their employees, their Political Action Committees, and their family members, the total would be over $500,000. Now that will keep the good Senator on the NFL’s case for quite some time. The campaign contributions will then be used to keep the wool pulled over the eyes of the citizens of the great state of Pennsylvania!
