I work on Wall Street... bad example bro. :lol: Your exact words quoted for effect... "Good point on spending money on rehabbing them, but it doesn't work." This is his first offense of the MLB drug rules. I suggest MLB allow him more then one offense of their rules before we ban him for life. If he is found to be breaking the laws of the country I suggest he face the same punishment all other Americans would. MLB has the right to ban him from making this living, but IMO one drug offense is certainly not reason to take this away from him. Again, you don't answer... why such a harsh punishment for one positive test? What does it accomplish? You're contradicting yourself. In one breath you critisize MLB for turning a blind eye to the lives of their players and then you suggest they have no responcibilty to take interest in the lives of their players. You're basically saying MLB should investigate the activities of their players up until the point they find out they have broken the MLB rules for the first time and then they should ban them and offer no support for them to get through their problems. Sounds like a pretty inhumane policy to me. Have you ever made a mistake in your life Alio? Did anybody ever give you a second chance? Get real man....
You respond that way to cheating, prostitution, and porn in this thread but it seems to totally contradict what you say in this post where you say you'd do the exact same thing as a guy who received oral sex from a porn star in exchange for overlooking narcotics and alcohol in her car, going as far as throwing the drugs away for her and not arresting her... all while he's on duty as a Tennessee State Trooper. I guess the one strike theory doesn't apply across the board?
You know that was meant as a joke, come on man. Of course that cop was wrong, and deserves to lose his badge. Anyway, in response to the previous post, I understand where you're coming from. I am just sick of all the cheaters. It's not just Giambi. It's Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, and everyone else. Clemens included. I've also always been a supporter of Pete Rose, and if he's banned for betting on his own team, then I can't see how people who have blatantly cheated to perform at a higher level than their peers can skate free. If guys like Giambi and Bonds had only been caught once, it would probably be different. However, both have been "caught," regardless of the circumstances of the situations, at least twice. Bonds claimed he only used something not knowing what it was, (which let's be honest, is a total crock of shit,) and then got busted for amphetamines (but blamed it on his teammate. Nice job asswipe.) Giambi admitted he used steroids, and then got caught on the speed test. Granted, I've been against them for quite some time, but I was on Bonds' side for a long time. Then I read an article on just how much steroids improves performance. When I believed that steroids was simply a way to spend more time in the gym, I didn't think it was that big a deal. When I read about how steroids actually improve timing, and coordination, the two keys to hitting besides bat speed (which the strength from extra gym time improves,) it made it quite obvious that steroids are a huge issue, and are actually affecting the game. So what would a fair compromise be? Frequent testing? If these guys were tested once every two weeks, then I'd be apt to be more forgiving. It would be near impossible to beat the tests (except HGH still can't be identified.) IMO, something severe needs to be done. If you're going to turn a blind eye to the past, at least make up for it in the future. If there was a reliable way to catch guys cheating, then I'd be a lot more comfortable dealing with guys who have made "mistakes." But you have to have strict measures in place to prevent future violations. And getting busted again has to be punishable in a big way.
I keep the same stance as I always have. Giambi is wrong for doing steroids, he's wrong for allegedly doing amphetamines (though let's not forget that Gammons reported that the story might be false), but he's always gotten an unfairly large share of the blame. I'm sure a TON of players do roids and do amphetamines, and players have done things forever, yet all everyone talks about are Giambi and Bonds, Bonds because of his home run record chase and his persona and Giambi....I guess because of where he plays? Nobody ever goes after Alex Sanchez or Juan Rincon, even though they've actually tested positive. It sucks that it's in the game, but it's in every game. They can test for it, the suspensions should be harsher, but it's in every sport to some degree. Only so much Selig can do.
You make very valid and fair points. My stance is that something needs to be done. And a harsh sentence for the first group to get busted would send a clear message to everyone that there will be zero tolerance. That's why I admire the job Goodell is doing with the NFL. Pacman got nailed, not just because of the severity of his multiple legal run-ins, but to send a clear message to the league that there will be no tolerance for misbehavior. Look how the Jets section of this board lit up when the news broke of Justin Miller's issue. People are paying attention now, and everyone knows there will be penalties. Maybe I'm being too harsh. My stance is, if these grown men want to act like kids, let them be treated like children. That's my take.
