Right on, Ron. According to the media and conservatives, President Obama hits the "reset button" daily. Makes you wonder how the media misses that President Obama is doing exactly what he said he would do during the campaign and the first two years--there's really been little deviation except in areas where he simply could not get it done because of Congress.

Jody, that is the way of NBC and MSNBC. They are nothing more than a propaganda machine, they don't report anything useful. And this is just another example of the government sticking it's nose into people's business. They want to tell us everything to do. Next they'll want to legislate when you go to the bathroom.

"Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey"
When will these Senators focus on something serious???

They attacked MLB for using steroids....
Forgetting about the governments strategy to feed Americans antibiotic and steroid based meats.

Now they are tackling smokeless tobacco???

Do your job that the people are paying you to do stop waisting time on BS!!!

If you two don't get your Democrat asses back to fixing this country you will not be re-elected!!!
Also leave Clemmons and Bonds ALONE!!!

All of you public figures have done far worst Sh!*~!!!

It would be ok to attack this in sports if you were doing your job!!!
Do your job and then you get to go out and play with the kids.

How much time and effort will our elected representatives spend on this ridiculous issue...when then should be spending all their time trying to find a way to dig us out of the economic mess they have gotten us into.

They keep finding ways to shift the focus away from our lousy economy...gay marriage, DADT, calorie listings on menus, tobacco juice in baseball stadiums. What's next...setting minimums and maximums on the number of permissable holes in a slice of Swiss Cheese ???

Maybe they do these things so that every single article in the news isn't only about what a mess this nation is in.

Is this type of crap really the business of our Federal Government?

We must get rid of progressive/liberals who want to run our lives. We are not their children.

It's time to put flavored water vapor on the Schedule One Drug List. Carry enough regulation to rediculous extremes and our government becomes irrelevant. Get your minds on something serious like under-insulated pampers. Sheesh!

JH479998

tell that to Rick Perry...... making people take shots and sonograms in texas... talk about intrusion

next I guess they will make them stop scratching themselves but the spitting does get out of hand in MLB

How the @!$%# is this an issue? Why the @!$%# should any of us care whether a bunch of ball players like their chew?

If you're worried about your kids taking up the habit, here's a helpful hint: slap the @!$%# out of them and @!$%#ing ground them.

I think this is something most of us will agree on at least. Damn straight Exodite Dragon...

Unfortunate that this sort of dictation to the people on how they should live, and treat themselves isn't met with similar reactions as this little blurb of nonsense.

Exodite Dragon

How the @!$%# is this an issue? Why the @!$%# should any of us care whether a bunch of ball players like their chew?

I played little league baseball from 7 to 13. Around the age 10 I recall - I started chewing Red Man leaf chew whenever we played pick-up games of baseball around town. Why? Because Greg Maddox did it.

Thats why you should care. Because youth pick up habits from their idols.

According to dragon your dad should have slapped the @!$%# out of you and grounded your ass.

Mike-416 : So you're saying... don't have parents be responsible for raising their kids... let their local Congressman do it.

Mike-416

Exodite Dragon

How the @!$%# is this an issue? Why the @!$%# should any of us care whether a bunch of ball players like their chew?

I played little league baseball from 7 to 13. Around the age 10 I recall - I started chewing Red Man leaf chew whenever we played pick-up games of baseball around town. Why? Because Greg Maddox did it.

Thats why you should care. Because youth pick up habits from their idols.

So at the age of 10.. you somehow were able to A) Afford Red Man, B) were able to get it and C) your parents didnt know WTH you were doing???

My BS-O-Meter just spiked in the red zone.

Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Frank Lautenberg are behaving like a couple of despots who think they have a right to take even more of our freedoms away. Bet they wouldn't put up with anyone telling them what to do in their personal life.

The government needs to keep its nose out of private lives.

Seems once more our "Stamped in the wool" politicians have struck again. I read these posts and it seems most agree...dont they have anything better to focus on? Is this not the real question here? As long as we elect people we would not buy a car from...this is what we get. Make the politician absolute! The people are the only ones that can. This is the leason from Egypt... We the people.

They have to use tobacco...it helps mellow out the roid rages.

Any of you from CT, apparently they want to raise taxes to curb their deficit. But get this, on top of hair cut tax, income tax, gas tax, 0.75% sales tax, and raise income tax among people that make more than $50,000 they want additional taxes for cigarettes and alcohol which they call a "sin tax", but want to change the law to sell alcohol on Sundays. @!$%#ing Judist's. But it's ok with them if a man sucks off another.

These two senators asked the baseball commissioner to take a stand on an issue that effects innocent children. What is so wrong about that? When did it become a police/nanny state for an elected official to give public opinion? It is no different than saying children under a certain age can't go into a movie with boobies on the screen. Sheesh!

I feel like I'm in an episode of "The Twilight Zone". What is wrong with our elected representatives in DC? Are they so retarded that they don't know that maybe a handful of people really care that MLB players are using smokeless tobacco? WTF cares!!!? It's that they've gotten to the point where the only things they will stand for are the benign semi-issues of the day where there is absolutely no threat that their position will be challenged. I wouldn't be surprised if they started campaigning that rape and murder are wrong.

Sven, As you make your appointed rounds on Newsvine, spreading your myopic view of the world, I was wondering if you were ever going to revisit http://world-news.newsvine.com/_news/2011/02/16/6064387-mexico-risks-losing-large-areas-to-drug-cartels-?commentId=51690620#c51690620

and finally post something of value substantiated by FACTS.

Intelligent Soul

Sven, As you make your appointed rounds on Newsvine, spreading your myopic view of the world, I was wondering if you were ever going to revisit http://world-news.newsvine.com/_news/2011/02/16/6064387-mexico-risks-losing-large-areas-to-drug-cartels-?commentId=51690620#c51690620

Wow! A vine stalker! Hey man, you're my first. And it so happens it's my birthday! This is great! Wait til I tell Mom! From what I've read about this kind of psychological disorder there is a propensity to type one-handed while simultaneously pleasing oneself with the other. The short and long term effects of this condition are a virtually opaque monitor and a huge left or right arm. Do yourself a favor. Keep a nice warm moist towel handy and switch up your hands once in a while. Cheers!

Sven, Don't patronize yourself. I came across your post as I was reading this story and it just so happens that on this issue I agree with you.

But whether or not I agree with you on this particular issue, still leaves unanswered questions from one of your previous posts, for which I am still waiting for you to provide some factual evidence, rather than just talking out your back side and slamming me personally. So far all you have done is revealed your significant degree of ignorance and arrogance. Would you care to try and dispell this perception by actually citing facts, rather than making them up as you go along, or would you prefer to reinforce the perception you are a mental midget, but taking pot shots anyway and running when called-out?

As for mental disorders, yes, I have several, but none you elude to. I have to admit however, I am a bit concerned about you. I wonder how normal it is to speculate about the sexual activites of someone with whom you are having a discussion on Newsvine? Hell you don't even know what sex I am and you are already forming visual images of me. And if that isn't scary enough, do you still live at home? Is telling your mother what you wrote on Newsvine the highlight of your day? Do you also tell her about your regular bodily functions and expect her to wipe you when you are done?

Jeremy-960164

So at the age of 10.. you somehow were able to A) Afford Red Man, B) were able to get it and C) your parents didnt know WTH you were doing???

My BS-O-Meter just spiked in the red zone.

Afford red Man? Back then a pouch was $1.29 regular blend. If you wanted a brick of it (I believe RedMan used to call it a totem - was usually golden blend). I mowed exactly .75 of a lawn to make that.

Who bought it for? Ever had a big brother? Ever get beer at age 19?

And I dont know about you but my parents were not present with me every minute of every day throughout my life. I had 10+ acres of woods to run around in - building forts, playing in the creek... and chewing some red man.

So yeah - your BS meter is busted.

So, our politicians want to get government involved in telling private industry what kind of example it must set for young folks, decrying the idea that said industry is negatively influencing the behavior of the youth who follow it, possibly causing harm to themselves, yet they leave religious organizations completely untouched in their hate speech against gays that influences their followers to commit acts of discrimination and even violence toward gays, in which they're intentionally harming others instead of themselves.

Interesting set of double standards there, I'd say.

this is something the goverment should leave alone its not broken yet & dont they have better things to work on????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! & stay out of the BS w/egypt as well quit wasting OUR $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ on BS

On one hand, it's the Nanny State gone wild.

On the other hand, it's a harmless/useless piece of political grandstanding.

Either way, it's a stupid idea.

I played little league baseball from 7 to 13. Around the age 10 I recall - I started chewing Red Man leaf chew whenever we played pick-up games of baseball around town. Why? Because Greg Maddox did it.

No, because you were unsupervised. So out of curiosity, did this become a lifelong habit? Are you now a Copenhagen addict with a permanent ring in your jeans and a matching one in your lower lip?

Or did you magically overcome this life threatening addiction?

Either way, would you really seek to force Greg Maddox to change his lifestyle? Really?

Jody, spitting and tobacco are disgusting, but both perfectly legal. Do you advocate banning a legal product?

I dont use the crap but. A baseball player, or any other sports player in general IS NOT a role model. They are nothing more then another person walking this earth. Some have great stories behind them, but in general not a role model. Maybe the parents of kids should step in and talk to their kids, or BE the role model about the use of smokeless tobacco instead of letting them do what they want..

I can kind of understand why you ban cigs, pipes or cigars in public places, as the smoke can effect someone else, I will never understand the ban of smokeless. You can find it disgusting all you want, but that doesnt mean you can keep someone else from doing it if they want to.

I hope Selig and the smokeless users take a big bite of chaw and spits it back in these Senators faces. Ok maybe their face is a bit much, on their penny lofers..

At what point do we say enough is enough?

Well what do we have here? Two Senators who I happen to admire wasting time on smokeless tobacco use in MLB. Come on! It is disgusting and the leading cause of oral cancer. Yes MLB players are role models to the youth in America and many parts of the world but seriously? We have bigger fish to fry then this.

Wow! Talk about need to get your head in the game!

"Jody, spitting and tobacco are disgusting, but both perfectly legal. Do you advocate banning a legal product?"

Playboy is a legal product, but I can't buy one at Wal Mart.... "house rules" I guess.

What is "disgusting" is the economic problems and dismal future of this nation.

You are doing exactly what our politicians want you to do...waste your time discussing "to spit" or "not to spit" tobacco juice during a baseball game.

At this point in time, who gives a rat's ass. We've got SLIGHTLY larger issues to address.

So we have another that agrees parents do not know how to properly raise their kids. It's like the Strasburg statement that he started chewing to emulate the pros, one person does not make a study. When I was a kid I loved baseball and played it all the time but never made a connection that chew was going to make me a better ballplayer. My favorite players were also having sex, driving cars, drinking and I'm sure some not so legal activities. Should we ban all of that too? How about don't sell or give tobacco to kids? What a concept. It is the law.

I find Gatorade to be a disgusting product and want it removed from the sidelines and dugouts. I'm sure if I commission the correct study they will find a way that Gatorade kills you.

Why don't you complainers and choosers of right and wrong go directly to the source? If tobacco is killing everyone and is such a health hazard why is it still legal and available? Right, because you can make money from it. We tax this product at levels that show what disparity we have in this country when it comes to taxation. Why does a smoker have to pay more to the government? Why is tobacco funding sports stadiums and the arts? Why aren't ALL the people going to ballgames or seeing a play funding these activities by paying higher taxes? Remember folks, this is a perfectly legal product sold over the counter almost everywhere yet you are punished for purchasing and using it by paying higher taxes. I thought that Pepsi was bad for you too? Put a nickle tax on every bottle and can of this product and you could wipe out world hunger.

Asbestos kills people so we either get rid of it or seal it up. Tobacco kills people and we keep manufacturing and selling it. This example alone shows how hypocritical both the left and the right are. If you really care about something you take care of it at the source. Shut down the tobacco companies instead of creating addicts and then forcing them to pay more for the product. After all, doesn't humanity come before money?........... Now that was funny.

Who should be charged with murder or assisted suicide? The tobacco company with the government as an accomplice.

Before I kick my soapbox to the side I need to ask one more short series of questions. Who was the person that asked our tax funded Federal Government to get involved with baseball? With any sport or entertainment for that matter? How about business that has nothing do do with running the country? I mean, if an athlete chews tobacco where does the Federal Government get the okay to step in and get involved? Stop using kids as the reason because it just keeps insulting the parents. This is the first time I am hearing about this as an issue in a very long time. Aren't baseball teams private and very wealthy businesses? I'm sure they know how to take care of their own business and I'm also sure they know the law.

You want to cut the deficit then stop wasting taxpayer money on players spitting chew or taking steroids. Stop doing military flybys during sporting events that run us a half million dollars each time. Stop setting up security at the Super Bowl at the cost of millions. Stop telling parents how to raise their kids. All we ask is that you create a safe infrastructure and protect the country and its people. Nothing more nothing less.

Forgot one last thing, when was the last time you saw a professional athlete endorse a tobacco product? Can you name 10 players that chew? I know I sure can't. I couldn't name you ten players over the last decade and I watch a lot of baseball. It's because they don't flaunt it or it's just not used as much as we make it out.

Taking a bat to my soapbox.

Durbin and Lautenberg are falling back on that tried and true democratic tactic,

"only WE can protect your children!"

So, ignore the deficit, the debt, the staggering economy, high unemployment, and the chaos in the Middle East.

Let's take on baseball players.

Tell me, oh wise and wonderful democratic Senators- how on earth do kids know that is "chaw" in the players' mouths, and not, say, bubble gum?

And, are you also worried about nicotine gum?

Maybe you two need to get real jobs.

If you can. It's tough out there.

Playboy is a legal product, but I can't buy one at Wal Mart.... "house rules" I guess.

Great point dbo. I certainly agree with that.

It sure would be easy for MLB to ban it's use. Since it took them until just recently to get real about cracking down on controlled substances so I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for Buddy Boy to get the lead out.

I could care less what they have in their mouths, but what makes me sick is the constant SPITTING! You see little kids thinking it's cool to spit all the time and they certainly aren't chewing. I'll bet that you really can play a sport without spitting!

Excuses Excuses what will they come with next. I use smokeless tobacco and I never had a Baseball player as a role model and I played for 14 years (T-ball to the Dallas Minors). My grandfather and father where my role models. Next they will tell you that you cannot eat cotton candy at a baseball game because it promotes poor dential hygiene. We live in the land of the free as long as it is ok with the government. The honest truth is they know they will not get anything done during the next two years so they want the public visibility on a hot topic.

And Obama's "reset button" is nothing more than ok we spent too much on big government let's put that in the deficit and start over with a new budget that does not include that amount. Common people he has accomplished nothing in 2 years and will do even less for the last 2 years of his one term presidency. And now with Obamacare in the courts and being torn apart he wont even have that. This really is a joke, "the right side of the revolution" who comes up with this garbage?

No Jo No Blow

"how on earth do kids know that is "chaw" in the players' mouths, and not, say, bubble gum?"

I agree, but this should not be a lefty or rightie issue. Does the TV coverage have to show close ups of men spitting into a cup, on the ground or any where? The team owners should make the call and not Washington.

Go Braves

Ball players and all sports, right? Ban smokeless tobacco because of this hero worship. Well meaning but severly misplaced.

Ban tobacco products, but steroids are okay?

Ban tobacco products but engaging in dog fighting is okay?

Ban tobacco products but sexual assault is okay?

Ban tobacco products but aggravated assault is okay?

Ban tobacco products but drunk driving is okay?

Get some perspective.

linda...

Agree with you 100% on the spitting issues....there should be over-under bets on the number of times the cameras show baseball players spitting during the course of a single game.

Basketball players exert fifty times the physical effort, which affects respiration, sinuses, etc far, far more than a baseball player could dream of...how come basketball players are spitting all over the place during a game ???

If I want to spend two and half hours watching people spit, I'll go hang out at a local dentist's office.

"Tell me, oh wise and wonderful democratic Senators- how on earth do kids know that is "chaw" in the players' mouths, and not, say, bubble gum?"

Gee, I don't know.....could it possibly be that when you chew bubble gum you blow bubbles, and when you chew tobacco your cheeks are puffed out like chipmunks on steroids and you're constantly spitting this disgusting "juice" all over the batter's box and the dugout? Now in 42 inches worth of high-def close-up? I think I was 11 when I figured out the difference, but maybe I was a slow learner? :)

Jody, Do you make stupid comments just to instigate reply comments. Dang, I've fallen into your little trap.

Frankly, I think the suggestion is stupid. Parents should be educating their kids, not leaving it in the hands of the government to protect their children from every pitfall known to man, but the suggestion to ban it doesn't bother me near as much as the fact that the suggestion is coming from the very people who are responsible for subsidizing tobacco framers! ACK! The insanity level there is astounding! Here, we're going to pay you to grow this product but we're going to do everything in our power to make sure no one uses the product we're paying you to grow. Great plan right?

Someone stop the train, I want off...

Jody, where were you when Clinton was cheating on his wife? I bet you never made a big deal about the president being a bad "Role Model." Athletes are not role models and its up to parents not government to influence what your children are doing.

Tony, if you dont like it dont watch. You obviously were never an athlete and your just mad that the jocks used to flush your head in the toilets. Rightfully so given your comments here.

Mike, with all due respect, they are role models whether they like it or not. A role model is not something you sign up for, it is thrust upon you. Our nation has many role models, Actors, Politicians, Sporting figures, Musicians, etc...oh...and we wonder why we are in the state we are in?

Wow, one little comment and the crazy comes out in people. What the heck does Clinton and Lewinsky have to do with baseball and chewing tobacco, talk about irrelevant. It's my personal opinion of chewing tobacco and how disgusting it is to watch a ball game and players spitting everywhere. I was not advocating a ban nationwide on chewing tobacco or anything else; I said I understood the premise of what these two were talking about. What harm is it if Selig urges less use. Ball players are role models and when they are on the field, they should act the role. I don't approve of steroid use either for many reasons.

I don't chew tobacco, but I don't see where it is a concern of Congress to worry about if it is done in professional sports. I bet Congress isn't going to ban the use of tobacco, alcohol, and prostitutes during the few times a year that the House and Senate are actually doing what we are paying them to do.

Our elected officials are also supposed to set the example, just like professional sports.

You would think after the last election they would learn. Get rid of the rest of the lifers.

The FR forums may be full of various degrees of whargabal every day, but they are still family friendly forums.

If you want to cuss like a sailor, do it elsewhere.

Grand Moff:

Family Friendly....lol........What kid is on a political blog at 12 noon on a school day on top of that?

Better still, who was cussing like a sailor?

You know how I know that you never bothered to read the article?

Because you "disagree" with the government banning chew in MLB. The article clearly states that the senators are encouraging MLB to ban it. whether the MLB does or not is up to them, not Congress.

/the more you know

You got that right. I sure don't want my kid to emulate the majority of our politicians. Man, now that would be a crying shame.

GMJ, Two things I know that it is not proposed legislation because I did read the article and please stop being the FRPD. We are grown ups here and I would never let my son get on this site. He has better things to do like his school work.

Who gave them the right to "encourage" the MLB. I sure did not ask them too, did you Grand Moff Joseph? It seems to me that they are taking it upon themselves as part of their on going battle with big tobacco to make this happen when what they really need to do is mind their own business. They are using their position, title or power to guide or direct an organization outside of their control. I believe that is against the rules of ethics, but I am sure you would disagree. Either way I say screw them and if MLB does do then the players should strike so that the trail leads right to their doors. They have no business even speaking out about this!

Hey Grand when the "Government, in this case the Legislative Branch" ENCOURAGES, that means do it or else we will INVESTIGATE you and whoever is affiliated with you. In the case of baseball the congress might again threaten them with Anti-Trust legislation like they have in the past. Plus it is not Durbin's or Launtenberg's place to "encourage" baseball management/players union negotiations practices. They have enough on their plate "no pun intended" with the unemployment situation and miserable economy.

I'm sorry, but I can't take that comment seriously when it is that badly misspelled.

and how can anyone take you seriously when your screen name is based off a military rank from a movie..

See how stupid that is?

When you start attacking the person, instead of what he is saying is when you lose your debate.

Holding up the players as fit and healthy athletes. Do you watch sports? How about baseball? C.C. Sabathia is the pinnacle of health. Right?

It is a sport, a game. It can be played by anyone that wants to try regardless of your fitness level. They aren't held to any higher standard than a kid in little league. They just won't get paid well.

Professional sports are a business, a private business that does not need the Senate making recommendations. PERIOD.

Moff, you like the government telling you that you can't raise your kid to know right from wrong? Butting in to every facet of your life. Yes Senator, I know McDonald's isn't health food but thank you for pointing out the obvious. You are right Senator, I don't understand the difference between discipline and abuse so thanks for creating a new set of laws that let kids walk all over their parents. Yes Mr. Congressman, I do know that smoking is bad for you. I've known it all my life so why is it legal to manufacture and sell it? That is something you can and should control yet the loss of tax revenue doesn't allow it.

Hypocrite

Baseball players are grown men, another attempt at a pathetic government intervention. Dick Durbin and Lautenberger should focus their efforts on turning around the terrible economy and unemployment. These two characters never saw a taxpayer's dollar that they didn't want to spend. Both of them rank high in the "Most Liberal Senator". Butt out of our lives good senators, we are adults, let us make our own decisions; right or wrong. As Charles Barkley once said "I am not a roll model" that is a parents job. Of course I am sure Bud will bow down to the pressure an try to incorporate this into the baseball CBA with the players.

Dick Durbin is from Illinois.

Hey, Boehner- where are the spitoons?

Hey drive by, I don't Boehner is involved in this. It is senators Lautenberg and Durbin. Boehner is the Speaker of the House.

Or... you could POSSIBLY start being a parent and stop depending on the government to raise your kids for you?

But if you did that youd be a....gasp...conservative....

What are you talking about?

A) I'm NOT a parent and don't want to be (*gasp a thought that would never cross a conservative's mind) and B) I, ME, I don't want to see it so I am suggesting that those of us who DON'T want to see it exercise our right to FREE SPEECH (oh there's that constitution you all try to wave around again) and write to the commish expressing our disapproval INSTEAD of members of congress.

Why do people have to politicize everything. There was not one shred of anything political in my OP...

I have no problem with Individuals doing that Steven. Hell I encourage you to do it. IF you feel that strongly about it, then you should do it.

If these senators did this on their own time, and NOT as an offical member of the Senate, then I have no problem with it. The fact that they are doing it AS a member of Congress is where I have a problem with it.

Yessir, I SO much more appreciate Bush and his Patriot Act telling me how to behave. I shouldn't be allowed to use a library if the government can't find out what I'm reading.

Jo Anne...that is how it starts. Some "BIG BROTHER" idea and left jumps on board... It will be on Oprah's show next

We know what a suggestion by Congress means in cases like this. Next they will be threatening to take away their tax breaks. So you see there is more to it than just two clowns writing letters.

Guys, seriously.....okay, not so seriously; it's impossible to read the outrage and paranoia on this thread without laughing your socks off! Would love to stay and chat, but I think I'd better head to the supermarket and stock up on french fries before Michelle Obama personally passes a law outlawing them.

I'm reminded, though, of a favorite quote from former Phillies first baseman John Kruk, when asked by a fan how as an athlete he could justify all his smoking, drinking, and, uhhh, weight problems:

"Lady, I ain't no athlete - I'm a baseball player!"

Love that quote JoAnne

Hi JoAnne:

You are seeing the face of paranoid conservatives. They are afraid that letters from senators will lead to the end of baseball as they know it.

Pay them no mind as they are afraid of their own shadow.

We are 14 trillion dollars in debt and they are wasting time on this. I wish I could spit on them.

JoAnne: it is illustrative, isn't it? Just depends on if their own little ox is getting gored. They are OUTRAGED by a letter, but have no problem with the "teabaggers" insistence on involving themselves in the most personal decisions that people make, that is, who to love and marry, if contraceptives are readily available, reproductive health, including abortion being safe and legal. But by heavens, don't touch their tobacco.

Ron Indiana

Hi JoAnne:

You are seeing the face of paranoid conservatives. They are afraid that letters from senators will lead to the end of baseball as they know it.

Pay them no mind as they are afraid of their own shadow.

So because I am a conservative, and this is not anywhere near the Job I am afraid ???

Hi Joanne PA:

I see the irrational folks are out in droves today. Does not take much to put them into a tizzy does it. Instead of talking about jobs and the economy we are now debating spitting tobacco. The Senate is not passing any laws on chewing tobbaco, only asked the MLB to stop it. It is not illegal so what is the issue? I really never understood why they chew. It tastes awful and it takes only one trip around the bases and a slide where you swallow some to cure that habit.

I totally disagree that sending a letter to Major League Baseball is going to open any legal foodgates anytime soon and it will not be the demise of baseball. They are working on doing that themselves. People should be worrying about some of the legislations that are being propose that will be taking rights away from people and not about spitting on the grass (opps the fake grass).

Thank-you, NDD, you said what I was looking to see if anyone else would say and exactly what I was thinking.

Hey JoAnne when the "Government, in this case the Legislative Branch" MAKES SUGGESTIONS, that means do it or else we will INVESTIGATE you and whoever is affiliated with you. In the case of baseball the congress might again threaten them with Anti-Trust legislation like they have in the past. Plus it is not Durbin's or Launtenberg's place to "SUGGEST"what should or should not be negotiated in the next CBA. They have enough on their plate "no pun intended" with the unemployment situation and miserable economy. CONGRESS MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, BUTT OUT!!!!!!!!

jkm49 (and just about everyone else on this thread) -

Let's try this again. Breathe in. Breathe out. Slowly. Turn off the caps lock on your keyboard. Get your blood pressure under control before you have a stroke. Now, repeat after me.....There is no investigation. No legislation. No Big Brother. A couple of Senators wrote a couple of letters. The sky is not falling. No one's coming to take your snuff box away. Breathe in......breathe out......there now, don't you feel better?

Liked the "enough on their plate" line, though! Was the "BUTT OUT!!!!!!!" also unintentional? :)

I'm not worried or scared about "big brother" and I'm not worried about my job. I don't think it's THEY'RE job to be making suggestions and writing letters and shopping around for their counterparts to cosponsor their ideas to private organizations. They were elected to care about their constituency and govern in accordance with the wishes of those people. I doubt the people of Illinois at large give a damn about whether or not that shortstop chews redman, beachnut, or big league chew, when the state checkbook has no ink in it, much less money to back it up. I, for one, do not.

Boy , they just never cease to show their stupidity. In 2012, will be the time to revamp the government from that idiot that sits in the white house all the way to the basement - some of them probably go down there and do their thing (whatever that is). We are being done in by greedy no account bastards and they have got to go with no pensions, no medical other than what they can buy, no more body guards, delete the title after their names and just call them dirtbag - BOXER FIRST ON THE LIST. Any entitlements that the clowns have been given over the years is over. Thanks