Good Ol' Georgie to pardon Rocket..

[3 Seconds]

if need be...not a surprise at all.

One of Brian McNamee's lawyers predicted that Roger Clemens will be pardoned by President Bush, saying some Republicans treated his client harshly because of the pitcher's friendship with the Bush family.

Lawyer Richard Emery made the claims Thursday, a day after a congressional hearing broke down along party lines. Many Democrats were skeptical of Clemens' denials that he used performance-enhancing drugs and Republicans questioned the character of McNamee, the personal trainer who made the accusations against the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.

"It would be the easiest thing in the world for George W. Bush given the corrupt proclivities of his administration to say Roger Clemens is an American hero, Roger Clemens helped children," Emery said in a telephone interview. "It's my belief they have some reason to believe they can get a pardon."

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During Wednesday's session before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Clemens repeated his denials under oath, which could lead to criminal charges if federal prosecutors conclude he made false statements or obstructed Congress.

"I'm not aware of Mr. Clemens having been charged with anything," White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said after being told of Emery's remarks.

Emery cited Bush's decision last year to commute the 2 1/2 -year prison sentence of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, his vice president's former top aide. Libby was convicted in the case of the leaked identity of a CIA operative.

During the hearing, Clemens cited his friendship with Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush, a baseball fan who regularly attends Houston Astros' games. Clemens said he was on a recent hunting trip when the elder Bush called with words of support.

"They have some belief that even if he's prosecuted, he will never have to serve jail time or face a trail," Emery said. "This is a charade we're going through."

IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky attended the hearing and watched from the second row. Novitzky has been a part of the BALCO prosecution team that secured an indictment against Barry Bonds on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Bonds testified before a grand jury in 2003 and denied that he knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.

Emery praised Clemens' lawyers, Rusty Hardin and Lanny Breuer, as knowledgeable and said the prospect of a pardon was the only explanation thaat allowed the pitcher to repeat his denials under oath.

"It's the only reason lawyers worth their salt would allow their client to run into the buzzsaw of Jeff Novitzky and the potential prosecution, tampering and lying to a federal official," Emery said.

Joe Householder, Clemens' spokesman, said he would attempt to reach Hardin or Breuer for comment. Republicans on the committee did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

AP White House Correspondent Terence Hunt contributed to this report.

 

[shamrock]

3s, tried to write about this in another thread, and hedgehog, ask me if Bush made Clemens take steroids?:shrug: Amazing how narrow minded some people are. Don't know your thoughts on this were 3, I'm totally disgusted. No wonder nothing gets done in Washington, if party lines are even drawn on a baseball player steroid hearing. All the Republicans did was carry Roger s water. Completely stroked him and Stonewalled every Democrat attempt to corner the obviously guilty Clemens. Burden, Davis, Cox, shays, woman from New York, every single person, not 1 broke Rank. Very very Disturbing, this country is going nowhere fast.

Senate & Congress could argue all day, if the world is flat, it's disgusting.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Didn't know Clenents was convicted and if so that he'd get prison time.

Sham I think you need to get your priorities in order--how can you be so offended by this ordeal

and vote for Pres that pardons his family for dealing coke--and give lifetime terms to Kennedy and franks--

Could it be liberal logic:shrug:

 

[SixFive]

Is Clemens a Bush backer? I have no clue?

I've never really understood why the steroids and HGH are such a big problem that Congress needs to have hearings. I've thought that since all the McGwire fiasco, and I still think it. Who cares :shrug:

Spygate is even worse if you want to talk about a waste of time.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Didn't know Clenents was convicted and if so that he'd get prison time.

Sham I think you need to get your priorities in order--how can you be so offended by this ordeal

and vote for Pres that pardons his family for dealing coke--and give lifetime terms to Kennedy and franks--

Could it be liberal logic:shrug:

Who is Clenents? I would post the Bush pardons, but it is a waste of time. Sham, all roads lead to Clinton (also Franks and Kennedy) for DTB. It is pointless to respond. Perjury before congress is only relevant if it involves a bj.

 

[shamrock]

65, yes Clemens supports Bush, and I agree spy thing also wasteful of government time.

65, did you watch this? To me it was very disturbing. You always seem knowledgeable about most things. It's another argument to say if steroids & hormones should be legal.

Evidently these drugs were illegal, so no different from narcotics or anything else ill[egal. Buying them, using them, illegal. Congress has gotten involved because mlb refused to police this behavior, and kids across America have been emulating these baseball stars, and suffering the results of medical effects of steroids. Many kids have died etc.

dogs, if Democrats were acting & supporting Clemens yesterday I would say the same thing.
Are you saying Clemens isn't guilty? Believe me, I was the biggest Clemens fan, and pains me to know he is guilty. But he is guilty, and you have to call a spade a spade.

You say get my priorities in order, I believe this was important, many many members of Congress were lining up defending and supporting a drug user, who cheated, and under oath was lying to Congress, isn't this a horrible message to send to American youth, many who were watching, defending cheating drug using liar.

I'm sure you understand, I individually don't give Barney Frank and Kennedy lifetime positions. Frank isn't even in my district.
Most people applaud Frank s work in Washington. And I believe he was cleared of knowledge of escort thing. Either way, I don't vote, he isn't in my district.

And again if Democrats were acting like the Republicans were yesterday I would call them out as well. I'm not sure if you saw this, because if you did I'm not sure how you could defend it. I've heard literally dozens and dozens of Republicans on Boston radio say how disappointed they were with their representa9tives behavior yesterday. It was not defendable behavior.

Again, I have no control over congressmen voted in throughout the state. Did you vote for Prince of pork Rogers in your State? Voted worst congressmen in country by rolling stone magazine. The guy who steals money from the homeland security budget?

 

[3 Seconds]

Is Clemens a Bush backer? I have no clue?

I've never really understood why the steroids and HGH are such a big problem that Congress needs to have hearings. I've thought that since all the McGwire fiasco, and I still think it. Who cares :shrug:

Spygate is even worse if you want to talk about a waste of time.

Clemens is a personal friend of the Bush family. Dropped Georgie Sr. name yesterday.

Clemens big shot lawyer has a lot of GOP friends in high places....& it showed yesterday.

Its sickening. Its an embarrassment. This has nothing to do w/ party lines for me. I am just disappointed in our country.

 

[THE KOD]

It really is sad because steroids and HGH is rampant in high schools and college.

Thats why its so important to stop it now. A slap on the wrist to Clemens , will only fuel the continued use.

So many baseball players were on this its ridiculous.

There is no justice in America.

If Bush pardons him it would be worse than some of the Clinton pardons at the end of his term.

Where do we get these people that run our goverment.:shrug:

 

[ELVIS]

the man did drugs, did not profit from the addictions of others, did not distribute, except to pettite. please, clemens does not deserve a pardon, but it is no where as terrible as pardons in the past.


congress should leave clemens and bonds, others alone.

we are at war for no good reason, our economy is facing a recession and we are holding congressional hearings based on a report that was a waste of time.

envestigate, arrest, charge, and put people in jail if need be, but stop wasting congressional time on these pampered athletes.

 

[SixFive]

shamrock, I didn't watch much of it, and I guess I really am ignorant to most of the issues related to 'roids and HGH. Scott posted the use of both are rampant in high schools. I didn't know that either. I just don't equate these 2 drugs to things like meth and crack. All are illegal, yes, but I don't see them even being close in classification.

 

[THE KOD]

shamrock, I didn't watch much of it, and I guess I really am ignorant to most of the issues related to 'roids and HGH. Scott posted the use of both are rampant in high schools. I didn't know that either. I just don't equate these 2 drugs to things like meth and crack. All are illegal, yes, but I don't see them even being close in classification.

..................................................................

Six - I am surprised that you are not aware of the extreme side effects for young people as well as people like Clemens that take steroids etc.

I remember even 10 years ago when my nephew was playing football. He also was always working out at weight lifting places. I asked him if he ever used steroids and he told me he did not but they were readily available at all gyms and training places.

And this was small town USA :scared

Like Clemens said. Anything to get a edge.

Its better you didnt see Clemens. I watched the whole thing. What a lieing sack of chit.
The thing about it, is I am sure his lawyers told him to admit nothing ever about his use and it would be he said she said. Very difficult to convict him in my opinion.

 

[THE KOD]

What are anabolic steroids?

Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced variants of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. Both males and females have testosterone produced in their bodies: males in the testes, and females in the ovaries and other tissues. The full name for this class of drugs is androgenic (promoting masculine characteristics) anabolic (tissue building) steroids (the class of drugs). Some of the common street (slang) names for anabolic steroids include arnolds, gym candy, pumpers, roids, stackers, weight trainers, and juice.

Why do young people misuse steroids?

Anabolic steroids are primarily used by bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness "buffs" who claim steroids give them a competitive advantage and/or improve their physical performance. Steroids are purported to increase lean body mass, strength and aggressiveness. As a result, young people take steroids to increase their muscle size and strength, and, to reduce body fat which they believe improves personal appearance. For some young people appearance is the key to life.

Where do you get steroids?

Doctors may prescribe steroids to patients for legitimate medical purposes such as loss of function of testicles, breast cancer, low red blood cell count, delayed puberty and debilitated states resulting from surgery or sickness. Veterinarians administer steroids to animals (e.g. cats, cattle, dogs, and horses) for legitimate purposes such as to promote feed efficiency, and to improve weight gain, vigor, and hair coat. They are also used in veterinary practice to treat anemia and counteract tissue breakdown during illness and trauma. For purposes of illegal use there are several sources; the most common illegal source is from smuggling steroids into the United States from other countries such as Mexico and European countries. Smuggling from these areas is easier because a prescription is not required for the purchase of steroids. Less often steroids found in the illicit market are diverted from legitimate sources (e.g. thefts or inappropriate prescribing) or produced in clandestine laboratories.

How are steroids taken?

Anabolic steroids dispensed for legitimate medical purposes are administered several ways including injection into the muscles or under the skin, by mouth, pellet implantation under the skin and by application to the skin (e.g. gels or patches). These same routes are used for purposes of abusing steroids, with injection and oral administration being the most common. The length of time that steroids stay in the body varies from a couple of days to more than 12 months.

Physical & Psychological dangers

Steroid users are vulnerable to physical and psychological side effects, many of which are irreversible in women. The short-term adverse physical effects of anabolic steroid abuse are fairly well known. However, the long-term adverse physical effects of anabolic steroid abuse have not been studied, and as such, are not known.

For Guys For Girls
Baldness
Development of breasts
Painful erections
Shrinkage of testicles
Loss of function of testicles
Growth of facial and body hair
Deepened voice
Breast reduction
Enlarged clitoris
Menstrual irregularities

For Both
Acne
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Swelling ? Fluid retention
Stunted growth (close the growth plates in the long bones and permanently stunt their growth)
Increase in bad cholesterol levels
Decrease in good cholesterol levels
Mood swings
Increase in feelings of hostility
Increase in aggressive behavior

Laws and penalties for anabolic steroid abuse

Federal law placed anabolic steroids in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) as of February 27, 1991. The possession or sale of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is illegal. Simple possession of illicitly obtained anabolic steroids carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a minimum $1,000 fine if this is an individual?s first drug offense. The maximum penalty for trafficking is five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if this is the individual?s first felony drug offense. If this is the second felony drug offense, the maximum period of imprisonment and the maximum fine both double. While the above listed penalties are for federal offenses, individual states have also implemented fines and penalties for illegal use of anabolic steroids.

.....................................................................

 

[THE KOD]

Dr. Eric E. Coris listens to Jose Canseco's claims about rampant steroid abuse in baseball and wonders how it will affect young athletes.

Not how many will hear about the controversy and stay away from the illegal drugs. But how many will start taking them.

"While you'd think that would be a deterrent, some kids will take that as an incentive," said Coris, team doctor at USF and director of its sports medicine division.

Many young athletes see the fame, the money, the broken records.

Not the torn ligaments, the stunted growth, the heart attacks.

Frustrated doctors say they often feel they're fighting a losing battle against steroids. Steroid use among teenagers more than doubled from 1991 to 2003, according to a survey by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 6 percent of high school students said in 2003 they had used steroids, the survey found. And use was highest among younger teens.

"If you see Barry Bonds hitting home runs all over the place, that's not exactly great from the role model perspective for these kids," said Dr. Walter Taylor, director of the sports medicine training program at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

Bonds is one of several baseball players Canseco said in his recently released book has knowingly taken steroids, although Bonds has denied it.

It's tempting for high school coaches to turn a blind eye, said Dr. Nicholas A. DiNubile, orthopedic consultant to the Philadelphia 76ers.

"It creates the perfect football player," he said. "They're bigger. They're stronger. They're faster, and they're more aggressive. They're angrier. They're hitting harder. They recover quicker from injuries or from workouts or from games. ... (Coaches) tend to want to look the other way."

The message doctors try to get across: Yes, steroids do what's promised. They build bigger, stronger muscles. They accelerate recovery and make it possible to work out more often.

But that extra power comes at a terrible cost.

The side effects of steroids can disfigure and, eventually, kill. They can even hurt athletic performance - the reason for taking them in the first place.

"The downsides are really tremendous," Coris said. "It's particularly troubling when kids abuse steroids."


* * *

Anabolic steroids, the type used by athletes, are synthetic versions of the hormone testosterone. They can be taken as pills, injected or rubbed on in a gel or cream.

Steroids work by binding to receptors in the cells of muscle fibers. Once there, they signal the cell to produce more protein. That makes muscle cells bigger and, usually, stronger.

They also promote muscle healing, said Dr. Linn Goldberg, an expert on steroids, professor of medicine and head of the division of health promotion and sports medicine at Oregon Health and Science University.

"Some endurance athletes use it because they can train harder," Goldberg said. "You can train more frequently. You can lift almost every day. You can sprint every day instead of every other day. You break down protein when you do that stuff. This way, you accumulate more protein."

But most athletes use steroids for strength - power hitters, linebackers and discus throwers - rather than agility - infielders, receivers and marathoners.

There are limits to what steroids can do. Athletes who want results need to work out, Taylor said.

"You can't just be a couch potato and take steroids," he said.

Nor can the drugs deliver skill, said steroids expert Charles E. Yesalis, professor of health policy and administration, exercise and sport science at Penn State.

"You can't take some Sluggo out of the gym who's built like Godzilla," but lacks hand-eye coordination, Yesalis said. "He'll strike out every time. But you take a guy who has that God-given gift, and you make him bigger and stronger.

"Now he can wait on the ball longer because he can snap through the ball quicker. When he hits a grounder, it'll have more velocity on it. So it is less likely one of the infielders will cut it off before it goes through.

"The line drive that went to the warning track will now carry (over) the fence for a homer. And the home run will now be a home run that (reporters) write about, you know, a 500-footer."


* * *

The disadvantage is steroids also increase the risk of serious tendon and ligament injuries, which can bench athletes for several weeks at a time and end careers early. Doctors believe steroids actually weaken the tendons and ligaments, Coris said.

They also are put under more stress because the muscles they're attached to grow so fast.

(Tendons and ligaments are) not being built up as much as the muscles are," Coris said. "You get people who tear muscles off their bones."

For young athletes, there's another problem. Higher levels of testosterone send a signal to the bones that it's time to stop growing. As a result, plates close at the ends of the bone, where growth occurs. Once the plates close, they're closed for good.

Hormones don't just affect muscles or sexual development, but nearly every organ of the body. And because steroids are hormones, their influence is wide-ranging.

"There are receptors in just about every tissue," Goldberg said. "They're also in the brain, the skin, the hair follicles, the liver. They're very powerful hormones."

In the brain, steroids can affect other chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, leading to depression or impulsive behavior.

Steroids also can make users more aggressive. That might boost an athlete's confidence and will to win. But it also might send him into a hormone-fueled violent "roid rage."

Because the heart is a muscle, steroids can increase its size and thickness.

"Sometimes, we worry about sudden death," Taylor said.

Steroids can raise blood pressure and LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and lower HDL ("good" cholesterol). They can build up in the liver, leading to chronic disease, liver cancers and rare cysts filled with blood. Doctors aren't sure why these form, Goldberg said, "but they can rupture, and you can die."

As sex hormones, steroids have different effects on men and women. In men, testicles can shrink while breasts grow. Women can develop facial hair and deeper voices while their breasts shrink.

It's hard to know how frequently these side effects occur, doctors said, because athletes don't admit they're users, making studies difficult to conduct.

"Just try to sign up a bunch of people to say, "Hey, I use illegal drugs, so I want to participate,"' Taylor said.


* * *

Common sense says the worst side effects are rare, said William Kraemer, professor of exercise physiology at the University of Connecticut and a fellow with the American College of Sports Medicine.

"I'm not supporting steroids," he said. "The reason you haven't been able to scare people away ... (is that) people haven't been dropping over (dead) from steroid use."

A few high-profile athletes have died or suffered serious illness. Among them: former NFL All-Pro defensive end Lyle Alzado, who died in 1992 at age 43. The cause was officially complications from brain cancer, but Alzado blamed his condition on the anabolic steroids he took continually starting in college in 1969.

Steve Courson, a former offensive lineman for the Steelers and Bucs, used steroids so frequently, he was placed on a list for a heart transplant. Courson, however, recovered through a special diet and exercise program and today speaks on the danger of steroids.

There just haven't been enough studies to know how many athletes have died early because of steroids, DiNubile said. And there's no way to know who will be affected.

"Not everybody responds to drugs or medications in the same way, and what you might get away with might severely damage my liver or my heart or give me cancer," he said. "There's no safe way to take these drugs. They're medications, and you see everybody so panicky about (pain relievers) Vioxx and Celebrex now. To me, that's M&M's compared to steroids."

Scientists have examined the effects in small studies of animals and people taking lower doses of anabolic steroids for medical reasons, such as osteoporosis or low testosterone levels.

Goldberg said doctors noticed steroids seem to have a greater effect on traits a user already possesses. A muscular athlete is more likely to see dramatic muscle growth. Someone with anger problems is more likely to fall prey to roid rage.

Users try to maximize muscle growth and minimize side effects by "stacking" and "pyramiding." They use more than one steroid at a time, increase doses for 6-12 weeks then decrease them.

"Stacking and pyramiding have not been scientifically shown to decrease their toxic effects," Coris said. "That's just a common cultural perception within the abusing community."

Some studies indicate steroids are addictive, Goldberg said. Rats who take steroids will keep pressing a bar that delivers more.

But the mental hook might be stronger than the physical one. Doctors often cite a survey in which aspiring Olympians were asked whether they would take a drug that would guarantee victory if they knew they would not be caught. Almost all said yes, reported Sports Illustrated .

Then the question changed: Would they take the drug knowing they would win all competitions for five years then die from the side effects? More than half still said yes.

"You take a 17-year-old. He sees Barry Bonds. He's ... 40," Goldberg said. "That's more than a lifetime from now. One guy told me, "I'm 21 years old; 40 is an old man. I don't care if I'm dead then."'


* * *

Still, Goldberg believes youngsters can be turned away from steroids. He runs two federally funded programs that aim to not just scare them, but create networks of youngsters who know the risks so they discourage others. The programs also offers an alternative, teaching teens how to eat and train to get stronger.

But sometimes, knowledge comes too late.

Goldberg was interviewed on CNN a few years ago and asked about 1996 National League MVP Ken Caminiti, who not only admitted to using steroids, but said he had no regrets.

Caminiti, who also admitted to taking cocaine, might feel that way now, Goldberg said then. But ask him again in 10 years.

Nobody got the chance.

On Oct.10, 2004, the three-time All-Star third baseman, age 41, died of a heart attack.


Times staff researcher Kitty Bennett contributed to this report
..............................................................

 

[MadJack]

One of Brian McNamee's lawyers predicted that Roger Clemens will be pardoned by President Bush

pardoned for what? he'll never get busted. never!

 

[SixFive]

scott, I know all about the side effects; I don't know about their use being "rampant" in high schools.

It's a whole hell of a lot easier to quit shooting the juice though than to stop smoking that pipe. That was my point.

 

[layinwood]

I wonder why they're so concerned with an athlete who did something illegal but they'll have man that did coc make a run for president. Is there a difference? I'm pretty sure there have been more high school kids die from coc than roids.

 

[ELVIS]

i know this, it is very easy to get coke. and you can die from the first dose, betcha steroids makes you sick b4 you die.......................

coke will kill much faster and the mark up is incredible.