And smaller.

They didn't catch him at it when it mattered. Now, whatever he did is irrelevant and unproveable. If he were Black or Hispanic, nobody would be attacking him today.

It is nice to see Dan not bash the RedSox for a change though.

Two words explain why McGuire will never fess up: "first ballot."

For lawyers, the McGwire appearance is a great object lesson. Whoever advised him did a great job of lawyering -- getting away with not taking the Fifth, but not answering questions -- but a terrible job of advising.

I don't know quite how to judge McGwire's testimony yesterday. Part of me thinks the questioning was along the lines of "Do you still beat your wife?".

McGwire and his attorney may think stonewalling the steroid question will preserve his viability for next year's Hall of Fame election, but as long as players involved in the current scandal remaim active in MLB -- and especially if Barry Bonds is poised to break Hank Aaron's home run mark next year -- there's no way McGwire is getting anywhere near the Hall of Fame, unless he takes a drive on U.S. 20 through upstate New York.

How is his position different the President's recorded comments where he refuses to acknowledge or deny past drug use?

Roger Maris is smiling. Almost imperceptibly, but smiling nonetheless.

Pat:

Is there an accusation that the President achieved something illegally?

Pat -

Moreover, the President has admitted (in various levels of detail) having made mistakes that he now regrets. McGwire's main problem is that he does not want to (or believes he can not) admit to anything in any level of detail. This makes him a questionable advocate for the good life: he does not elicit credibility (as a Carl Ripken would) nor empathy (as a repentant sinner would).

He showed empathy in his statements, and yes GWB admits to mistakes in his past, leaving open iterpretation to what mistakes. Everyone knows about the alcohol, and many of us have had some level of familiarity with drugs and would not hold that against the President. But the following quote secretly recored shows his position on discussing specific past mistakes with drugs:

Mr. Bush, who has acknowledged a drinking problem years ago, told Mr. Wead on the tapes that he could withstand scrutiny of his past. He said it involved nothing more than "just, you know, wild behavior." He worried, though, that allegations of cocaine use would surface in the campaign, and he blamed his opponents for stirring rumors. "If nobody shows up, there's no story," he told Mr. Wead, "and if somebody shows up, it is going to be made up." But when Mr. Wead said that Mr. Bush had in the past publicly denied using cocaine, Mr. Bush replied, "I haven't denied anything."

He refused to answer reporters' questions about his past behavior, he said, even though it might cost him the election. Defending his approach, Mr. Bush said: "I wouldn't answer the marijuana questions. You know why? Because I don't want some little kid doing what I tried."

So he intimates in secret that he may have tried marijuana, but that he would never publicly answer the question, one way or the other, for a very specific reason.

Pat:

What does it have to do with anything though? No one cares if McGwire did blow or smoked dope.

pat_h: if i bring up ivan the terrible, are you going to try and tie him to bush, too ? what is your point (and i am giving you the benefit of the doubt that you have a point) ?

I thought the point was clear, and I am a Bush supporter. The point is that MM is being criticized for refusing to answer questions that he doesn't want to answer for his own reasons. I don't find that strange. I want steroids out of sports and out of the schools. A good drug testing program in all sports is a must. But MM didn't create the problem.

oj,
he used illegal drugs. Kids find such use attractive. He refuses to answer. You don't find it similar?

I agree with Pat's point, which is that McGwire (like the governor of Texas) is an admired public figure and so he doesn't want to inadvertantly inspire children to mimic his bad behavior, hence his reluctance to publicly admit that behavior. McGwire's statement is almost identical.

Regarding the likelihood of McGwire getting into the Hall of Fame, I agree with John that a person voting on that issue should feel free and be encouraged to vote NO. I think it is unlikely for McGwire in the near future.

"Is there an accusation that the President achieved something illegally?"

No but there is an accusation ( or implication anyway) that Bush would not be President if the public knew of is illegal actions. I think the public would have voted for him anyway, but you can't ignore that Bush might have had two motives (like McGwire) 1. Not be a bad role model. 2. Become President or get in the Hall of Fame.

He's taking the 5th.

Pat:

If W refused to answer an Air Guard disciplinary board about using drugs & flying then yes it would be similar.

By the way what law did McGwire break? Has anyone ever gone to prison for admitting Steroid use?

Schwarzenegger is Gov. of California BECAUSE of steroid use.

Which he admits.

Did he admit that he took it while it was against the law? If in fact it's against the law?

Your point regarding the difference between the President's action and that of McGwire relates merely to the legal implications. Motivation in both cases was to attain a goal (and set a good role model), by not answering questions about past behavior. (relevant questions I might add) Therefore morally both incidents are the same.

h:

When can you take the Fifth?

You can take it in order not to give evidence that can be used against you in a criminal case. So what. Doesn't change the moral calculations of the President or McGwire. You would only be saying that McGwire would suffer two negatives (1 failure to get into the Hall of Fame and (2 possible criminal trial. (although you haven't stated that there would have been a law violated)
Governor Bush would suffer only one negative consequence, not being elected President. Besides now that you make the point, did the president not want to admit to breaking the law. (depends on how long ago he smoked the hypothetical marijuana)

My question to you related to Schwarzenegger's admission. Did he admit to taking steroids when it was illegal or did he not? Besides are you saying that Schwarzenegger is more forthcoming with the truth than the President.

How can you criticize McGwire and not criticize the President for doing precisely the same thing? You seem to think it is relevant that the President never took the 5th. I don't think it effects the moral calculation at all. Neither would answer questions about past behavior because answering would have keep them from attaining the goals they desired.

(I know it was illegal to smoke marijuanna, I am unsure as to when it became illegal to use steroids)

h:

You can't take the Fifth in front of Congress to protect your Hall bid.

Well, it certainly wouldn't seem to enhance his prospects for induction.

I'm glad he'll be the only dirtbag in the HOF. (Sarcasm intended)

Steroids have been an issue in pro sports since at least the mid-60s. Are we going to invalidate every record made since then or are we merely going to decide that if someone 'looks like he's on steroids' then we are going to deny him his due? That's some standard.

Let's give everyone who has retired a free pass and focus on prospective changes in the matter.