 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back |
Previous on Jeremy Bosch Memorial HOF |
Next on Jeremy Bosch Memorial HOF |
|
Ignatius J. Reilly
(66.88.249.114) on 5/17/2004 - 1:38 p.m. says: ( 6 views
)
|
"Luckily, This Was Released At The Same Time ..."
|
|
(EDITED BY AUTHOR: 5/17/2004 - 1:40 p.m.) I was throwing a farewell party for the old Rants Schemes and Ploys crew. One of them used his connections to obtain the original draft of the resolution. Bachus has a degree from Auburn. Apparently, this exclusive earlier version was drafted by one the up and coming members of Bachus's staff. I include it in its entirety:
BACHUS CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF NCAA
WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman Spencer Bachus formally wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner requesting a Congressional oversight hearing to investigate actions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Below is the text from Congressman Bachus's letter to Chairman Sensenbrenner:
_________
May 11th, 2004
The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Chairman
Judiciary Committee
2138 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Over the last several years, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has investigated and sanctioned several of our nation's colleges and universities. Most observers assume that NCAA member institutions are accorded basic procedural safeguards during these actions. However, the conduct of the NCAA toward some member institutions (Here's a hint: ALABAMA, you cheeseheaded fool) raises serious questions concerning its commitment to adhere to fundamental protections that would preserve the fairness and integrity of these proceedings. After reviewing several recent cases in which NCAA member institutions were investigated and sanctioned, I am alarmed by the lack of procedural due process the NCAA provides to some member institutions it investigates and sanctions. Because of my growing concern with these questionable practices, and the fact that a disturbing number of my constituents are members of Tider Insider, I write to request that the House Committee on Judiciary schedule an oversight hearing to investigate whether the public, compulsory nature of the NCAA makes it a state actor for purposes of 42 U.S.C. §1983. Really, I am serious.
The fundamental purpose of the NCAA is "to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body and, by doing so, retain a clear line of demarcation between intercollegiate athletics and professional sports." What a bunch of happy horse#badword#. The polling data from my constituents reveal that the real purpose should be to ensure that the University of Alabama football program can do whatever the hell it wants to do in order to win. This was the way it was when the Bear was around, and the way it should be today. We miss it, damn it. There hasn't been a decent Red Elephant Club meeting in years. Unfortunately, the conduct of the NCAA raises serious questions as to whether it will ever be that way again. Hell, man, Bama has been on probation in near perpetuity since 1996. This kind of messing with the 800 lb. gorilla leads one to wonder whether the NCAA has strayed beyond its clear, yet unstated purpose, of greasing the skids for Tide hegemony. Indeed, in recent investigations, the NCAA has allegedly concealed the identity of witnesses, manufactured evidence, threatened employees of schools being investigated, condoned conflicts of interest between investigators and member schools, and displayed the temerity to disbelieve Bama's witnesses. I know this because Rodney Orr lives in my district.The effects of NCAA investigations and sanctions have profound consequences for member schools. Adverse decisions can have a devastating impact upon the academic programs, faculty, students, alumni, athletic programs, and revenue streams of targeted institutions. To be sure, such decisions have shown to increase acts of violent crime in trailer parks. While the results of NCAA investigations and sanctions have broad public consequences, member institutions are not provided fundamental constitutional safeguards to ensure that final judgments reflect the fundamental fairness and procedural due process the Constitution and 42 U.S.C. §1983 require. Really, I am not joking. This is my job we're talking about. Moreover, if a college or university wishes to participate in competitive athletics on a national level, the NCAA is "the only game in town." In fact, it is the only game in the country. As a result, compliance with NCAA determinations is compulsory, irrespective of the unfairness or insufficiency of the record upon which these determinations rely (I proudly announce that I can say the last two sentences with a straight face after only two hours of practice).
I respectfully urge you to ditch these worthless inquiries into the lack of Constitutional safeguards in the Patriot Act and, instead, examine alleged abuses of the NCAA toward its member schools. This will make my reelection run so much easier. After doing so, I ask that you conduct a Judiciary Committee hearing to examine whether the NCAA's apology to the University of Alabama should be aired live during prime time and whether it should include the ritual suicide of its Head of Enforcement.
Thank you for you attention to the important matter of my reelection. With kindest regards, I remain
Serious as a Heart Attack,
B
Spencer Bachus
Member of Congress
STB:jl
http://bachus.house.gov/HoR/AL06/Press+Room/Press+Releases/2004/NCAA.htm
|
|
