10 Observations After Watching Roger Clemens Flail About
By CHM on Feb 14, 2008 in Featured, Random Musings
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I was so HOT after watching the whole Roger Clemens/Brian McNamee thing today that I had to wait a few hours before writing this post. I think if I put it up initially I might have written something I regret or let a few expletives fly.
Before I get into a list of my observations from today, I just want to say that I was glued to the TV all afternoon.
Those were 4 of the most riveting, controversial and politically charged hours of TV I think I’ve ever seen. When all was said and done any doubts I had were wiped away. Although, I’m sure it wouldn’t be proved in a court of law, IMHO, Roger Clemens is SO SO guilty.
Dead Man Walking
Man, I’m no psychic, but you didn’t need to be - to see what took place up on the Hill today! It was so obvious that Clemens was dead in the water Dutchman! (a phrase an old high school teacher of mine used when you were caught red handed)
Watching that whole charade brought out a roller coaster of emotions for me. At certain points I was happy and excited. I was openly routing for McNamee, yelling at the TV and applauding the common sense used by certain Democratic Congressmen.
At other times I felt disappointed and angry, cursing at the TV, appalled by the very personal attacks waged by many of the Republican congressmen who cross examined the witness (because it looked like a cross examination to me.)
For me, it felt like Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS all over again, where my beloved NY Mets lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.
A few thoughts and observations about today:
Roger’s ego is so off the charts and I believe he’s looking at this whole process as one last monumental challenge. I really think he wants to be under the burning bright lights one more time, to see if he can beat the US Government on their home field. In his mind, he’s gunning for the elusive 8th Cy Young, I think that’s how ultra competitive and delusional he is.
An over-sized ego and exaggerated sense of self are repulsive character traits. Pride is one of the seven deadly sins.
I don’t care how well coached you are, you can’t fake it for 5 hours under that kind of scrutiny. Clemens came out of the day much worse then when he started. The Mike and the Mad Dog radio show in NY (where you would think people (and Yankees fans) might be somewhat sympathetic) polled 35 callers, 32 said he was guilty.
I don’t care how much money you have, how powerful and polished your lawyers are, or how well prepped you are. In the end, Clemens looked strained, out of sorts, unnatural and plain dumb. His whole defense seemed orchestrated and mechanical, while McNamee was smooth and composed. (and I’m not defending McNamee, he’s no choir boy. I’m just going by what I saw.)
The truth will set you free. Amen!
These politicians are all in the back pockets of their special interest groups.
I think this was a huge shot in the arm for the Democrats, and IMHO, the Republicans just took a big blow. I was appalled to see (with my own eyes) how things work in Washington D.C. - this wasn’t the impeachment of Richard Nixon - and to see the division along party lines left me (literally) feeling sick and disappointed in our elected officials.
Today, I am ashamed to call myself a Republican. The behavior of the Republican Congressmen, especially Dan Burton, Tom Davis and Chris Shays was despicable.
I predict the three Congressmen mentioned above are finished with their respective constituencies.
I think these hearings may have an impact on the general presidential elections. (For those that watched) The hearing today will sway moderate Republicans and undecided voters towards the Democratic camp and Obama.
Well, I’m glad I got that off my chest. I feel better. You think it’s obvious I don’t watch C-Span;)
Penny for your thoughts
If you witnessed it, what’d you think? Let me know if you were as angry as I was OR if you actually believed Clemens? OR am I totally over reacting?
Tags:
Harris | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply
So these hearings, and not other events, are what made you embarrassed to be a Republican? I can think of dozens of more embarrassing Republicans than Dan Burton, Tom Davis, and Chris Shays.
Ron@TheWisdomJournal | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply
Aw c’mon Ciaran, tell us how you REALLY feel . . .8)
Frugal Dad | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply
The worst part for Clemens is that it is obvious someone is lying, and he is the least credible party. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a purgery investigation flare up after this one.
clambelly | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply
all I can say is “I did not have sexual relations with that woman!” Remarkable similarity b/w Clemens and Bubba’s demeanor. Both showed showed an arrogance and a certain amount of disbelief that someone one would actually dare question their actions or integrity. I guess he is used to getting his ass kissed by everyone, including Congressmen.
I doubt there will be a perjury case, at least a successful one, but Clemens has already lost. Besides his body language and non-cooperative behavior, his story was internally inconsistent and just doesn’t make sense. But most damning is that his good friend and training partner, Pettite says Clemens admitted using HGH. Congress looked foolish and it was embarrassing to watch, but it really doesn’t compare to the many idiotic things they have done recently. For instance, the stimulus package. Another DC boondoggle. They are a bunch of moronic megalomaniacs that trip over themselves trying to stay on the right side of the polling. If their actions didn’t have such serious ramifications, it might actually be funny to watch them.
JLP | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply
I didn’t watch much but I did see enough to want to punch Henry Waxman in his beaver teeth. Right or wrong, I have NEVER liked that man.
I do think it is silly for our nation to spend so much time on this crap. How much is it costing the American tax payers to find out whether or not Clemens abused his body?
Chief Family Officer | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
I wasn’t angry so much as sad and disappointed. The Rocket was my favorite pitcher when I was growing up (I moved to Boston in 1986, the year that he had the game with 20 strikeouts, won his first Cy Young and led the Red Sox to the World Series against the Mets). So I really wanted to believe him but I don’t. I can’t. It’s sad.
@JLP - I totally agree with you, I can’t believe there aren’t other more important things for our lawmakers to work on.
Four Pillars | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Great stuff - I love emotion.
Too bad the politicians aren’t running the country rather than interviewing washed-up (almost) baseball players.
Mike
CHM | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Wow… a lot of responses here. It must be a dream, people posting on my blog… wake up wake up.
Thx y’all appreciate it.
Ron, I’ll be honest, I edited a few words here and there, and of course the grammatical errors but I couldn’t help it, I was pissed yesterday.. I felt a lot better afterward.
Thanks FD… don’t think they’re gonna go after him for perjury but I’m watching, whatever happens.
Clambelly - Tell me how you really feel, I agree with your points and like the Bill C. reference, hadn’t thought of that, but I do recall a certain uneasiness there too, lol. Hey Ron - check down here - where the filter really came off.
JLP - Henry is one strange looking cat, there is no doubt about that. I’m not very knowledgeable on politics (although I’m trying to change that) and don’t know much about him or his politics. I will say I was pleased by his comments at the end of the hearing yesterday, I think he showed some guts there.
I agree that the Clemens thing doesn’t deserve this kind of attention or these tax dollars, much like the whole New England Pats spygate investigation is a total joke and more wasted dollars.
CFO - if you’re a BoSox fan or a Clemens fan this must be hard to stomach. I always respected him as a pitcher and a competitor but when I heard why McNamee kept the needles and gauze for all those years (’because he said he never trusted Clemens) I instantly believed that. To me, Clemens never seemed trustworthy, the most imp. character trait in my book.
Thanks Mike and thanks for the Stumble. I have a feeling this post will be yet another of my off topic posts that do well. F’it, I think I’ll just scrap the financial planning stuff and turn this blog into an SEO, Sports and political startup. Just kidding (for now anyway)
Thanks guys for all the feedback, I sincerely appreciate that.
Braunn | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
I cannot possibly tell you just how angry and utterly disappointed I am with this…
What on earth about any of this makes it worthy of any discussion in the halls, much less the chambers, of our legislature? This is my tax dollars at work????
Have we solved the trade deficit, the national debt, (the financing of the national debt), the impending insolvency of social security (yeah, that might happen when congressmen are actually subject to social security), healthcare reform, global warming…and the war in Iraq while i was sleeping?
I hope you’re right, Ciaran. I hope this idiocy has an extreme impact on the upcoming elections. I hope it sways moderate Republicans, undecided voters, and anyone else with half a brain away from any incumbent politician that believed this was a proper way to spend our tax dollars.
Professional atheletes cheating???!!! *gasp*
Oh no, Joe, say it ain’t so!
rickshaw | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
The only thing missing from those hearings was Clemens breaking a pencil and hurling it at Piazza! Disgraceful.
And as pathetic as Clemens was, you should see Mark McGuire’s testimony a couple years back. Tough to say which was more embarrassing to watch.
I can’t tell you what makes me angrier, knowing that my taxpayer dollars went toward this circus, or witnessing the conduct of some of the congressmembers playing ‘hero worship’ on that cheater.
Anyway…Nice to finally see you coming around to the light, CHM.
-R. Shaw
hank | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
I didn’t watch it, but I’ve read a lot about it today and I can totally relate with CFO - my favorite player growing up was Canseco, look how far I’ve fallen…
Good post Ciaran…
CHM | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Braunn, Rick and Hank - this whole thing has definitely struck a nerve for a lot of people, which is evident by the force behind all of your remarks.
danyak | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Gentlemen….a moment of clarity….
1. Congress needed to address the steroid issue because MLB’s “self monitoring” was an utter joke. Lack of time is not the reason things don’t get done in Congress. As McNamee said, hopefully this is but the “first chapter”, and eventually, owners and the commissioner himself will be exposed for their actual knowledge of the problem. And to think Selig just signed an extension for 3 years.
2. However despicable, the three republican blowhards will not lose their seats over this. Google Burton and read his shenanigans. Fathered an out-of wetlock kid with a staffer while married. His son gets probation after being caught with 9 lbs of maui wowi. The list goes on. So long as they bring pork to their respective districts, all is well with the voters.
3. Clemens gave the middle finger under oath. Not only did he lie about taking steroids, he lied about his conversation with Petitte, threw his wife under the bus, brought his dead mom into it, fell victim to classic lying tells of talking way too much in his answers while mcnamee was short and to the point, oh yeah… and tampered with a witness(the nanny). Unreal.
4. McCain will not lose the election because of this. He’s the sacrificial lamb. Nobody would win after Bush. Obama mania is running wild.
5. Throw in that idiot democrat female rep who held up those photos of Roger during different stages of his career. Little known fact….they came from Team Clemens.
6. Clemens will forever be known as a lying cheat, and will not get in The Hall.
And all he had to do was admit and apologize. Blame it on its wide spread use and his competitive nature. Oh well.
danyak | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
out of wedlock. lol.
CHM | Feb 16, 2008 | Reply
Some interesting points Danyak - all the stuff with Burton doesn’t surprise me at all. I look at that guy and bite my tongue, I don’t even wanna say what I really think.
And that Congresswoman, what a joke that was, forgot to throw her into the original post. She was up there with the other offenders.
Agree Clemens nor getting into the hall, Rose will get in before he does.
Agree Obama is the next president of the USA
Money Blue Book | Feb 27, 2008 | Reply
Watching this sometimes makes me wonder if we should just make roids legal and allow them all to use them freely (they all do anyway). Wouldn’t that be one amazing home run hitting derby to watch. I am kidding of course
-Raymond