I couldn’t wait for this weekend to end. Don’t get me wrong. I know I’m getting old because I love chilling out at the crib to watch movies and just relax instead of hanging out at 40/40 in New York City the way I used to. But there’s a particular reason I wanted this weekend to end quickly.
The quicker the weekend ends, the quicker we can all get to Roger Clemens. That’s right! The man who got older, yet still got bigger than he was before, better than he was before, stronger than he was before and unquestionably more productive. Clemens is expected to sit before Congressional members this Wednesday and swear he’s never tainted himself with Human Growth Hormones or performance enhancement drugs.
As long as he’s forced to do so under oath, I’ll label this occasion a celebration.
Contrary to what people surmise from hearing me on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” on ESPN Radio every weekday, I couldn’t care less about Clemens’ guilt or innocence. If he cheated, he should be treated like any other lying, arrogant, self-righteous phony. But if Clemens is telling the truth, then shame on those who convicted him in the court of public opinion.
All I care about is equal justice. Not just under the law, but in the court of public opinion.
If everyone swore Barry Bonds was excoriated because of the combination of an acerbic personality, name cache and his pursuit of the coveted all-time home run record once held by the great Hank Aaron, then what excuse is there to become passive when it comes to a seven-time Cy Young Award winner with 354 career victories, who happens to be, arguably, the greatest pitcher of the modern-day era?
The answer would be….THERE IS NONE!
In a world full of phonies and apologists, though, you know folks will find a way. They’ll point out how Bonds admitted to using The Cream and The Clear, but swore under oath he didn’t knowingly do so. They’ll point to his oversized head, his body mass and bloated numbers shortly after Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris’ single-season home-run record.
Those same apologists were nowhere to be found when Roger Clemens was piling up his numbers as his birth certificate collected more dust. As his salary escalated. As he transformed himself into baseball’s preeminent mercenary, working part-time over the past couple of seasons, without one single implication of questionable behavior, let alone steroid use, until the LA Times falsely reported last year that former Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitcher, Jason Grimsley, had implicated Clemens to the Feds.
This is Webster’s Dictionary of Hypocrisy, folks! Where is all the screaming and shouting now? Where is this unwavering, rigorous effort to convict Clemens in the court of public opinion – not just withhold judgment until he’s head pleading his case on Capitol Hill. I know….I know. There’s no denying, with his emphatic denials, that Clemens’ actions resembles that of an innocent man.
Clemens has denied. He’s filed a lawsuit against his accuser, Brian McNamee, his former Strength and Conditioning coach. But Clemens also made it a point last week to go door-to-door, meeting with Congressional members to reiterate his innocence.
Why?
Doesn’t anyone find this behavior suspicious? I mean, where does Clemens think glad-handing with elected officials is going to get him? It’s certainly not going to prevent them from asking him to raise his right hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help him God!
Either way, I’m glad we’re about to hear from Clemens. Not just him mouthing off, but mouthing off under oath.
If this country is truly in pursuit of fair and equal treatment under the law, part of the process is making sure one is exposed to the heavy hand of the law. Specifically so they can be held accountable if, dare I say, Clemens decides to tell a fib or two.
America the Beautiful, remember?
On to Politics for a second:
It looks like Barack Obama and John McCain will compete for the presidency. Although Hillary Rodham-Clinton can easily take over with a couple of good primary showings in the next few days, I’m shocked to admit I actually believe America will support a black man over a white woman for the Democratic nomination. I must confess I didn’t think that was possible a few months ago.
(Note: the reason I felt this way is because white women – not African-Americans – were the biggest beneficiaries of Affirmative Action.)
But I do want to send this quick message to all the African-American voters out there: We need to stop just giving the Democrats our vote and start making them earn it.
For years black folks have virtually handed our votes to the Democratic Party. To me, it’s foolish to do such a thing without actually hearing the issues, what policies are being geared for implementation, and who is really the individual best suited to run our country.
If it’s a Republican like John McCain, so be it. The man is honest, considered a moderate conservative by most of his naysayers, and has served this country more honorably than almost any American alive. And I’m saying this although I’ve never voted for a Republican in my life. Needless to say, that could change.
BTW…here’s a little tip for members of the Republican Party, aspiring to increase support from African-American voters: Perhaps if you stopped identifying yourself as the GOP….it just might help.
There’s something about the “Grand Ole Party” that doesn’t necessarily resonate with most black American voters, reminding us of a time we would rather forget.
If the Republican Party can’t understand that, I really don’t know what to tell them.
the post on February 13th to MrDieselRepair was posted by lmaze43. However, the post states Jackson J posted it. that is incorrect, I am the one that posted that comment.
Posted by: lmaze43 | February 14, 2008 at 02:31 PM
I'm black and I'm a Republican. I believe that our government should not and ought not be this big over grown thing. I believe in the constitution. I believe in State's rights. I believe the gov't should defend my borders and keep my roads safe. I don't believe the gov't should be in my home nor my bedroom.
I don't believe in race based preference other words, affirmative action.
There.
Posted by: Republicanfanz23 | February 14, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Perhaps black people shouldn't have allowed the Democratic Party to bamboozle them into thinking they needed them to exist. Sheer folly - blacks in this country have been lied to for many years, they don't know who is telling the truth - including you, Mr. Smith.
Posted by: MoonDog | February 18, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Robert Byrd anyone?
Posted by: thegroove25 | February 27, 2008 at 05:59 PM