Rhubarb Ruminations: Episode 4

I will be the first to admit: the dogs days of summer have gotten the better of me. And the way the summer has gone thus far in the news world, if you’ve already poked fun at BP, then you pretty well have the summer’s news covered.

You would think that this be a good time to simply sit down and write while enjoying the cool air conditioning and a cold unspecified and to-be-named-at-a-later-date beverage? For those that live in Texas, you know what happens though – the heat just saps the maple syrup right out of you (insert much Canadian laughter here).

In the midst of sweating my way through the summertime blues, there was time for another episode of Rhubarb Ruminations.

#1: Roger Clemens was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly lying to Congress. So, hold the presses here. Before people start jumping to conclusions, this is not about whether he did or did not take steroids. This is about whether or not he lied. So, Polyanna, why are we so surprised that lies and deceit exist in the hallowed halls of Congress, on either side of the table? Legislators do this day in and day out – without any congressional (or judicial) impact whatsoever.

But perhaps the bigger question is this: what the hell is Congress doing putting good money and time into Congressional hearings on steroid use in baseball in the first place? This is an issue that needs to be resolved by Major League Baseball (and I am looking at you, Mr. Selig), not our legislators.

Sure, we’d all like to know if Barry Bonds was juiced when he broke Aaron’s record. Fair enough. But is it illegal, in the United States, to consume human growth hormone or steroids?

The simple answer? No. Is it good judgment? You be the judge and jury on that one. Is it against the rules of MLB – a privately-owned organization? Yes. Whether Clemens did or didn’t use steroids really isn’t the point. The problem is that this should never have been an issue dealt with by a Congressional committee, and thus the issue of perjury (and perhaps going to jail because of it) shouldn’t even be on the table.

I would suggest that this is an abuse of the power of the legislative branch – more of a witch hunt than an actual benefit to their constituents. What say you, legislators are there to work for their constituents? Heresy.

They have done it with baseball, and they are now forging ahead to do so with cycling. The UCI is responsible for policing it’s sport, so let them get on with it and make their own decisions about it. No wonder Lance Armstrong hired a defense attorney – not because he is guilty of any offenses (still no positive tests), but because the fallout from this type of “Congressional hearing” is far beyond what is right or wrong for the sport.

#2: Speaking of legislators doing funny things (that could be a column all it’s own), take one look at the Big 12 fiasco this summer. It inspired many Texas legislators to speak out in the battle to maintain it, such as State Representative Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) -

The current Big 12 debate should not be what's best for just Baylor, or just UT … The center of discussion should be what's best for Texas as a whole, and the debate should be conducted in public, not back rooms.

Great idea Jim, now let’s extend that to some other important issues in our fair state, ones that I am sure you’re also very concerned about solving. Hey, let’s start with health care. Don’t be hypocritical now. Let’s have some open meetings on direct access, let people (such as your constituents) speak on what is important to them and not those senators and legislators who have deep pockets and even deeper relations with lobbyists against the cause (and you know who you are). Yes, Jim, let’s do what is right for Texans, let’s do it in public, and let’s not just leave it at the Big 12 discussion.

#3: How about this – being paid to take your medication. Yes, I said that correctly. There appears to be a problem with patients either a) purchasing the medicine they’ve been prescribed, or b) adhering to the directions prescribed by their doctor. According to the data, one-third to one-half of patients do not take medication as prescribed. One quarter of patients don’t fill their prescriptions. In the infinite wisdom of doctors, pharmacy companies, insurers, and researchers together, it has been proposed that we now pay patients to take their medications. I kid you not.

Here’s an interesting and perhaps novel thought. Don’t pay patients to take their medications. Spend more than 20 seconds in the patient consultation explaining why the patient needs to take them in the first place. Foster self care and self responsibility. And then, how about making them more cost-effective to purchase in the first place? But look at the groups that have proposed the solution, and you will see why this is just another attempt to get around some of the age-old insufficiencies in the current health care delivery and payment model. And shame on the pharmaceutical industry for proposing this as a solution to a problem when it’s simply lining their coffers.

The same approach has been proposed to stem the tide of obesity in this country. Being paid to lose weight? What about doing it because it’s the right thing to do?

#4: I end this episode on a sad note. Antonio Pettigrew, 400m gold medalist at the 1991 World Track and Field Championships, has died at the age of 42. Many track and field fans will note that Pettigrew admitted in 2008 to using performance-enhancing drugs, and had done so from 1997 to 2001.

In 1994, I saw a different side of the person that was Antonio Pettigrew. Antonio was on the US National Team for the 1994 IAAF World Cup of Athletics in London, England. He ran a 45.26 to win in what were lousy conditions. I met Antonio on this team as it was my first US National team trip. I was able to have some great discussions with many great people, of which Antonio was one of them. I still have an event poster in my office, signed by Mark Everett, Todd Reich, and Antonio.

Though he admitted to drug use later in his career, this takes nothing away from the discussion of his persona. Sometimes, good people make mistakes and attempt to reclaim themselves in the process.

Pettigrew was an assistant track coach at the University of North Carolina. After his admission of drug use in 2008, Pettigrew went on to say that

I have an obligation and duty to speak out against the use of banned substances … I want to play a role in teaching people, especially young athletes, to know that the negatives far, far outweigh the benefits these substances may give you.

My condolences go out to the Pettigrew family and to those collegiate athletes he was trying to guide in their own search for excellence and growth as both great athletes and great people.

Photo credit: Your Secret Admiral