Specter criticizes NFL, wants independent Spygate investigation

[Bleacher Creature]

Source: ESPN

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Arlen Specter wants an independent investigation of the New England Patriots' taping of opposing coaches' signals similar to the Mitchell report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

Specter again criticized the NFL's handling of the investigation during a news conference Wednesday.

Specter is the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He met with former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh a day earlier in Washington.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell indicated he considered the investigation over with after meeting with Walsh on Tuesday.



Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3395829

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Question -- What does a so-called moderate Republican do when he's afraid to challenge his own party on anything of substance, but needs to show his constituents that he's doing something.

Answer -- See above.

Let's make a list of all of the real scandals for which there isn't an independent investigation.

[fascisthunter]

1. Actually... I'd Like Somebody to Investigate Arlen Specter

[tctctctc]

15. single gun theory specter? why ever for?

watch out people...when specter says look over here, it's usually over there!

[judasdisney]

21. fascisthunter, I wish there were 1000 of you on DU

[devilgrrl]

2. If only he was that passionate about investigating War Profiteers

What a douche

[niyad]

3. not being a sports fan, could somebody please enlighten me as to exactly WHAT

the senate has to do with pro football (it is football, isn't it?) I wasn't aware of any oversight responsibilities for sports written into the constitution.

[northzax]

4. interstate commerce

the Senate has jurisdiction.

[Bleacher Creature]

6. Frankly nothing, but the NFL does have an antitrust exemption.

Basically, the NFL is allowed to negotiate its television contracts for every team, rather than have the teams do so individually (which would normally be required under antitrust law). Every time the Senate wants to get involved in its business, the NFL has to at least pay lip service due to the implicit threat that the Senate could attempt to repeal that provision of the U.S. Code.

[niyad]

9. thank you both. so comforting to know that the country is in such good shape that the senate

can spend time on things like this.


doesn't every team spy on every other team? seems pretty obvious to me, so I don't see the problem. isn't that called "scouting" or something?

[SomeGuyInEagan]

11. Repealling the anti-trust exemption is a pet project for Spector.

According to the Wikipedia entry for Spector:

"Arlen Specter has taken $153,600 in campaign contributions from Comcast or those affiliated with Comcast as employees or through its PAC. The only firm which has given more money to Specter is the law firm Blank Rome, LLP, which represents Comcast and which has given Specter $358,453 although the organization itself did not donate, rather the money came from the organization's PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families."

Comcast would benefit greatly if teams could negotiate their own television contracts.

Money ... always follow the money.

[madinmaryland]

5. Gee Arlen, what about all of the violations of the constitution by the Bush

misadministration.

:grr:

[Sabriel]

7. How about middle schoolers drinking under the bleachers, Arlen?

When are you going to get the Senate to look into that problem?

[frog92969]

8. I know they have petty courts for petty shit like this.

Why do they need to waste time on kid games while the country collapses?!!

Just another insult!

[YDogg]

10. WAR?

[Doctor_J]

12. Snarlin' Arlen the wind sock

There's a breeze blowing so he's all puffed up.

[Bob3]

13. Did he have heavy money on the Eagles?

It's the only explination that makes even a lick of sense here.

[Bill219]

18. Back when all this spygate crap broke

Spectre admitted to host Dennis and Callahan on WEEI that the only reason that he is pursuing this as much as he is is because he is an Eagles fan

[DinahMoeHum]

14. Spector's motives here ain't exactly as pure as the driven snow.

There are some issues between the NFL, the NFL Network, Spector, and a major $$$ contributor to Spector: Comcast

Link:
http://www.edgeofsports.com/2008-03-03-329/index.html

(snip)
Long before Spygate, dating to 1983 according to aides, Specter has railed against the antitrust exemption held by the NFL. He has, his supporters say, objected to the way they can blithely move teams and take public funds to build stadiums. Yet in recent years, the object of Specter's NFL ire has been the NFL Network and its exclusive relationship with DirecTV. The Philadelphia-based Comcast cable company is in a war with the NFL over whether they can charge their customers for the NFL Network, unlike DirecTV.

Here is where we start to get filthy. Specter was described to me by an opponent as "the Senator from the great state of Comcast." Is this fair?

Comcast is the No. 2 source of campaign funds for the Senator. Comcast execs and employees have given a reported $153,600 in contributions, going back to 1989. The No. 1 contributor since '89 is Blank Rome LLC, a lobbying firm that has dumped $358,483 into Specter's coffers. A chief client of Blank Rome is .... wait for it .... Comcast.

Goodell has pulled no punches on Comcast, saying, "They're just finding another way which they can charge our consumers more money. We think it (the NFL Network) should be available on a broader basis." When asked if Specter's vendetta is related to Comcast, Goodell only said, "I'm not addressing that point."
(snip)


:evilfrown:

[brentspeak]

16. Heard of "Senator Pothole" (Alfonse D'Amato"?

Well, make room for Senator Playbook.

[thunderdog]

17. Tyical control freak--they must always stick their noses where the don't belong.

[gauguin57]

19. Steroids in baseball! Spying in the NFL. CRIMONY! Haven't we bigger fish to fry than this?

Gimme a break! The environment is degrading, gas and food prices are rising, people are suffering here and around the world ... and our legislators waste their time on sports scandals?

Is this what we're paying our legislators for?

[bkcc]

20. Specter is a pandering, worthless senator.

The same guy who is more than willing to overlook the Bush administration's misdeeds now wants to investigate the NFL? PUH-LEEZE. How about paying attention to any number of much more pressing issues facing our country right now, Arlen??

I think he's got some wealthy constituents who are bitter about the Eagles losing the Super Bowl to the Patriots a few years back and now is trying to kiss up to them.

Either that, or he likes seeing his face on TV.

Whatever his deal is, he needs to shut the hell up about this and get back to more important business.

[old mark]

22. Pandering, worthless, yes, but please remember

the other Senator from PA used to be Santorum-he made Arlen look liberal!


mark

[sofa king]

23. Stolen elections, illegal wars, and coverups might be another venue of investigation.

Once you're done looking into that highly important football question, of course.