Steroids vs Drugs

For those looking to read about the topic, where congress is tied up in the examination of steroids and baseball, check out CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/15/congress.steroid.ap/index.html?eref=rss_us

I, for one, look at this as a complete failure of the Democrat congress to do anything about the GWOT which sure sounded like the platform basis upon which they were elected and derided the Republican congress for.

There's another side to this matter altogether ... why not just let athletes dope up? There's really not a fairness attribute involved because any athlete in a highly paid sport like baseball or football has equal access to the drugs and an equal ability to pay for it. So it's not like anybody is being "shut out" unfairly. You could argue some have more money than others but if they're spending THAT much on drugs, they'll pass the point of diminishing returns and possibly die.

So, if you are paying people to make their profession pushing the human body to its athletic limit, it almost follows to allow them to truly push the physical limits. Strength training gives athletes an edge over those who don't do it. Barometric training gives athletes an edge over those who don't do it. Nutrition optimization gives athletes an edge over those who don't do it. How different is it really to use a chemical substance that enhances the very things these athletes enhance already? After all, a guy using nothing but drugs is likely to not beat an athlete that works out and eats properly. But the guy who does them ALL ... imagine the real ability of the human body.

You could say, "But they're our kids role models - they should be clean." Yeah. I say, "If you're not a good role model for your own kid, then you've got bigger problems than some athlete using drugs."

yep. Its become a Salem Witch hunt check out the accusation of other celebs

I think its important for us to come to some clarity on what is and what is not okay as a drug 9I'm speaking generally) I think everything should be evaluated and categorized with a lot less ambiguity that it has in the past...its like the whole idea that Cocaine was a main ingredient in Coca Cola a century ago...we can't let stuff hit the market then realize its bad then it gets out of control. This should include alcohol which claims an average of 40,000 lives every year in America from driving. I think the whole steroid era has become a byproduct of our technological advances and we should make provisions for these products to be used. When ever something is made illegal its always used in an unregulated and extreme circumstance. For example, in Arnold's era of body building...they regularly and openly used steroids regularly...most of the steroids were in an experimental state at that time, but very few individuals suffered from the effects of them and the industry continues to remain popular. Although much of the use of steriods has continued but underground, furthering my point.

I think its interesting to "ideate" (from some commercial) the term Performance Enhancing. Every profession has some sort of "performance enhancer." For doctors and business folks it may be strong caffeinated products, for pilots and truck drivers it's No-dos, for rockers and entertainers it may be alcohol, marijuana or cocaine, etc. American society in some respects is very driven to perfection and people are willing to "sell their soul" or do whatever it takes to achieve that perfection which equates to money and accomplishment. I guess what I'm getting at is the root of the problem....in order to be the best at something you must be willing to do whatever it takes.....so much for "God given talent." So is our "Big Government" going to try and push for a societal change? Of course not....they're just "Big Government".....using tax payers money to make a spectacle out of something and in the end solving nothing.

Anyone have any ideas how to make a societal shift? Maybe you can run for office some day!