Our own Rep. Virginia Foxx was on the Congressional committee that heard testimony from baseball great Roger Clemens on Wednesday regarding use of performance-enhancing drugs. Here’s what Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci had to say in his live blog about her:“Virginia Foxx (R-NC) made it clear that she would rather not be at the hearings, that Congress shouldn’t be involved in baseball matters. ‘I think we’ve been playing gotcha games and I don’t agree with that,’ Foxx said. Then Foxx proceeded to prove beyond a doubt that she truly didn’t belong there. She showed a poster of Clemens in four different photographs for four different teams (Boston, New York, Toronto, Houston), the exact dates of which she had no idea. ‘You appear to me to be about the same size,’ she said. ‘It doesn’t appear to me that your size has changed much.’ Great. Now Foxx can tell us whether players are using PEDs just on body type in photographs. It’s exactly that kind of sloppy eyeball detective work that we should have left behind a decade ago.” Just thought you’d like to know.
Foxx on Clemens
February 13, 2008 by surrymessenger
Posted in Federal government, Rebel's Blog | 24 Comments
24 Responses
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Im a Republican but its indescribable that she could be a United States Congressman. I actually had an influential local person tell me he supported her because she sent a hand written birthday card to her wife every year… every time I think about her it destroys my faith in the democratic process… and to think the real alternative, because the way the district was drawn, was Vernon!
There are a lot of reasons to dislike Foxx, and this one is pretty low on the list. Hopefully someone will be able to put together a decent campaign against her this year
#2 It wouldnt matter … the way the district is drawn she has it a long as she wants it. Only a strong primary opponent with the total backing of the Forsyth machine could challenge her and thats generally a no no to challenge an incumbent. She has huge support in the rural areas of her district. Harrell (2) coudnt even beat her in Surry in the last cycle.. anything else need be said?
Firstly, I agree with Foxx in that Congress has far more pressing things to do than meddle in professional sports. Whether a congress critter knows individual player statistics or not is of zero interest to me.
Secondly, those who dislike Foxx are doomed to unhappiness. Just like with Helms, the more the PC crowd ranted against him, the more elections he won. So it will be with Foxx.
And on Thursday Verducci added this comment:
And did you catch Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) at the conclusion of the hearing? One minute she’s asking questions, the next she’s holding the arm of Clemens and then giving Debbie Clemens a hug. Ugh.
We can talk about this and other issues all day and night. Not just regarding Foxx, but in general. Let’s just remember to PRAY for those in office.
3 – Harrell ran against her in ’04, Sharpe was the democrat in ’06. Foxx got a boost in 04 just from being a Republican, and in ’06 the Democrats didn’t even try until it was too late, and even then it was a weak effort. Still you’re probably right. Between the way the district is drawn and how ugly her campaigns get she’ll be hard to unseat. I doubt Roy Carter has much of a chance.
4 – “Congress has far more pressing things to do than meddle in professional sports” Like what? Praising the Christmas Tree industry? Finance attempts to identify and deport an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants? Build a $50 billion dollar fence that will get torn apart in a week?
I agree that it’s pretty stupid to have congress critters sticking their noses into professional sports, but if they’re not wasting time there, they’ll fool around in something just as frivolous.
6 – Please don’t bring God into this.
Having Foxx as a congresswoman wouldn’t be so bad if she’d stick to business that benefits her constituents or at least doesn’t make her look like a backwoods hick. I was tempted to move to Virginia after she introduced this amendment to the Katrina aid package: “None of the funds made available to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in this act may be used to purchase a Louis Vuitton handbag.”
the handbag comment was exactly the same kind of stuff that went on in Raleigh where, as a result, she had zero respect from those of influence in both parties.
In answer to a previous comment it is hard to come up with any more important issues than enforcing our existing immigration laws. That is as plain as can be.
No one is seriously advocating trying to deport millions of illegals. That’s just liberal propaganda. All that’s necessary is to enforce our employer laws and the illegals will go home. That’s happening in Arizona as we speak. That state has started enforcing the law against employers hiring illegals and guess what? . . . . illegals are leaving the state by thousands.
As to a border fence, that should have been built many years ago so we would not be having this discussion. What ever the cost, it would be cheap at twice the price.
Liberal propaganda? Foxx all but says it outright on her house.gov pages, in her direct mailings, and just about any other time she mentions immigration issues. She’s far from being the only one too.
I don’t think you realize how stupid the fence idea really is. $50 billion just to install a pair of fences 15 feet high and 2000 miles long made out of little more than 2×4’s and corrugated sheet metal with a bit of barbed wire on top – and that’s a “good” design. The cheap version is your run of the mill chain link prison fence. My dog could figure out how to get past that wall, and she’s not that good with sledge hammers or bolt cutters. Even homeland security thinks it’s a waste of money, which is saying a lot.
I have to take The Messenger to task for their editorial today. Despite the seeming absurdidty of it Allegheny needs all the help it can get.. even if its creates a tempest in a teapot… for Foxx to unilaterally forego bringing home the bacon for some alturistic notion is foregoing the realities of politics.
Every day this paraphrase of an old saying is proven again:
. . . you can lead a liberal to knowledge but you cannot make him think.
And here are a few others who have weighed in on Rep. Foxx’s performance:
Roy Carter, Democratic candidate for Congress from Wilkes County, issued the following statement regarding his opponents conduct during that hearing:
“It is a shame for the people of our district that Virginia Foxx would use this congressional hearing to make a media spectacle of herself and buddy up to professional athletes. My opponents actions have embarrassed our district once again.
Rather than wasting her time defending Roger Clemens, our Congresswoman ought to be standing up for the people of our district, many of whom are living without healthcare, cant find a decent job, and are struggling to put their children through college. Those are the people Im fighting for and those are the people I will represent in the United States Congress. It is clear that my opponents priorities are seriously misplaced.
I surely hope that the full-color photos that Foxx used as props were not paid for by taxpayer dollars. My opponent already wastes enough hard-earned taxpayer money on self-promotion through her full color mailers.
As an athlete and football coach, I have always believed that illegal drug use of any kind has absolutely no place in sports. As a coach, I believe we should set a positive example that will help our young people resist the pressures of drug use. That is why I helped to create student and community programs to combat drop-out rates, drug and alcohol abuse, and illiteracy, during my teaching and coaching career.”
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Here is what some others in the country said about Foxx’s so-called questioning of Clemens:
The Kansas City Star
“My favorite character of the day was North Carolina Republican Virginia Foxx, who began her time by launching into a soliloquy about how this whole retched hearing was a waste of time and that with the U.S. government wasting billions of dollars, the committee should be focused on that. Common sense.
Then, she promptly said, “But as long as were here,” and she would not shut up, even through the chairmans gaveling. She brought out a visual aid that really cool poster that featured four blown-up photographs of Clemens pitching at different times in his career. She intended to use these photographs to show that Clemens had not grown bigger through the years; unfortunately, the photographs were from different angles, and they werent especially clear, and anyway, nobody ever said he had grown bigger.
Yes, money well spent by North Carolina s fifth congressional district.”
The Boston Herald
“Its not surprising to learn that our representatives can be bought; its just a little disappointing to realize how cheap they come. A handshake and a photo-op with a real, live Cy Young winner and these people roll over like puppies. Rep. Virginia Foxx had five minutes to question Clemens, so naturally she went for the jugular: “Mr. Clemens,” she said. “Maybe youd like to talk about your regime and how hard you work?”
Thats what she wanted to know about: his regime. Not his regimen. Naturally, Clemens took the opportunity to explain to Foxx that he works really, really hard. That was time well spent.”
I agree with beentheredonethat No. 12 that neither Foxx nor anyone else should stop working for their district and swear off special appropriations. One man’s (or woman’s) earmark is another’s investment in the district/state/nation.
As always, pay attention to what a politician does, not what he/she says. John McCain says he does not earmark appropriations. That is true. On the other hand, he does seek appropriations for Arizona. The difference between earmarks and normal appropriations is that McCain makes his requests through the regular budget channels in which they’re properly researched, debated and approved (or not) by the appropriate congressional committees and placed in the appropriate budget. Earmarks, which benefit specific projects, institutions, communities or corporations, almost by definition flow without challenge through the committee process and sometimes sneak into into budget legislation without ever being heard.
Foxx reportedly said recently that she’s swearing off earmarks. Perhaps she’s had a change of heart. She requested nearly $8 million in the 2008 budgets and got almost $7.5 million for North Carolina:
* $2 million (she requested $2.5 million) for advance regenerative development (stem-cell research) at Wake Forest University Health Services. The earmark was in the Defense budget.
* $146,000 (she requested $150,000) for electronic health records equipment at Alleghany Memorial Hospital. (DHS budget).
* $295,000 (she requested $300,000) for biofuels and biomass research at Appalachian State. (Energy & Water budget).
* $1.6 million (she asked for $2 million) for “Aviation Improvements-Low Observable Aircraft Sealants” in Yadkinville. I assume that’s for Nanotech Labs Inc. (Defense budget).
* $376,000 (down from $400,000) for the COPS program in Winston-Salem. (Commerce, Justice and Science budget).
* $97,000 (down from $100,000) to the North Carolina Technology Association Education Foundation in Raleigh for school technology demonstration projects and grants. (Labor, HHS, Education budget).
* $1.47 million (Foxx requested $1 million, but Patrick McHenry got it upped) for airport runway and taxiway improvements at Statesville. (Transportation & HUD budget).
* $492,000 (she asked for $500,000) for Mount Airy and Surry County to extend water and sewer to the I-74/I-77 Interstates Corridor. (Interior Budget, State and Tribal Assistance Grants).
* $984,000 (she requested $500,000) to Wake Forest University for research into transplant alternatives. (Energy & Water budget).
#6 – I’m sure you would agree with me that in spite of the many problems are nation may have, it’s still a great country. We can freely voice our opinion. You made a comment directed toward me… “6 – Please don’t bring God into this”. I’m sure you have your reasons for feeling that way, and I respect that. I truly do. I also have my view. You see, when 9-11 happened, all across this country, church attendance went up, prayer meetings where taking place left and right, and people were neither afraid nor ashamed to “bring God into it”. But, as time went on and the shock wore off even a little, it was as if people put God back on the self until the next time He’s needed. We need to pray for this country, our leaders, and the election, etc. We NEED to put God into it!
http://www.johnevers.net
After 9/11 attendance in virtually all support groups in this country went up; from Alcoholics Anonymous to Sunday Service. People are social creatures, so it makes sense that they go to whatever social groups they want, need, or prefer after a traumatic event. A temporary up tick in attendance doesn’t mean your cause suddenly has justification to inject itself in government. Furthermore people weren’t calling out “bring god into it” after 9/11, well other than the ones calling for it on 9/10/01.
Polls conducted after September 11th showed that people overwhelmingly rejected the idea that the attacks were a sign from god, and only small percentage of people sincerely felt that the attackers had significant religious motives. The only people that got religion after 9/11 were the ones that already had it.
It’s bad enough that you can’t get elected to significant political office in this country without holding some spiritual belief. Atheists and agnostics make up at least 12% of the nation’s population, but there’s only 1 person in the history of congress to identify as nontheist, and he was already elected when he did.
I’ve said before I could care less about what you believe, but keep your theology out of our government.
Oh! #7, Christians NEED to bring God into this. This may got off the subject some, but then again, not really. Everyone, please check this out, and I think most of you will understand what I mean.
Please use low bandwidth http://www.silencingchristians.com/video3.aspx or Please use high bandwidth http://www.silencingchristians.com/video4.aspx
I still find it frightening when politics and religion are mixed. People (not me) wanted a “spiritual” president in office beginning back in 2000 and you see the state of the country now. Spirituality increased as a result of 9/11 because people were frightened as spirituality increased during World Wars I, II, Korean War, and Vietnam so that’s nothing new. Many of these “new” converts are off the bandwagon but will have no problem at all jumping right back on. I myself find much more comfort in things other than religion but truly respect those who do find comfort in it. Political leaders discuss their spiritual beliefs in an effort to gain votes if nothing else. I personally don’t care what religion is as long as they have the ability to lead the country and prosper……………
Except you’re not trying to bring god into it. When you bring religion into government what you’re really doing, intentional or not, is forcing your religion’s moral code onto everyone you possibly can. Unless you can prove without a doubt that that moral code works for an overwhelming (near 100%) majority of the population then it has no place in a government that is made up of that same population.
As for the video, you actually buy into that? Aside from the wildly biased narrative, obviously vetted sources, logical fallacies, exaggerations, hypocrisies, lies by omission, revisionist history, support of double standards, a willingness to accept and support flaunting long established law, (the list goes on) – the whole thing doesn’t stand up to 5 minutes of fact checking.
I’ll be fair, yes free speech of all sorts has been severely impaired over the years, regardless of who the speaker is or what they believe. Yes interpretation of the law by law enforcement can be wildly out of sync with reality, and some of that is the fault of silly legislation. But those problems resolve themselves, checks and balances ensure that the Constitution is upheld be it 1st amendment rights or the anti-establishment clause. No deity or activism needed.
I guess we’ll just agree to disagree. This country was founded on Godly principals and I for one am going to do my part to confront anything that is otherwise.
Rep. Virginia Foxx is turning up the heat in the presidential race. She said on 3WC radio’s “Focus on the Foothills” program that Democratic Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois “basically are socialists, he more than she.”
“I believe they are socialists, and if you look at their platforms you will see their plan is to take money from part of the population and give it to other people in the population,” she said later, referring to their universal health care plans. “I don’t know the dictionary definition of socialism, but most people would see that as socialism.”
She also told a Charlotte Chamber of Commerce crowd that people should be “scared to death” of what will happen to this country if a Democrat wins the presidency.
–From the Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/540430.html
If socialists takes money from part of the population and gives it to other people in the population, then wouldn’t that also include most Republicans? Look at the state of the country with a Republican president Virginia sheesh…..
Diane Hamby Challenges Opponent to Debate Series
Fifth Congressional District Candidate Diane Hamby Challenges Her Primary Opponent Roy Carter to a Debate Series
For Immediate Release Contact: Mary Scott Hardwick
March 14, 2008 (704)-657-0324
campaign@dianehambyforcongress.com
Diane Hamby, Democratic Congressional candidate from the fifth district, is challenging her primary opponent Roy Carter to a debate series throughout the district. Hamby is requesting a debate series to be held in public locations throughout the 5th district to allow the citizens to come and see the options that they have on May 6th.
“I believe the people of the fifth district deserve a chance to see where we stand and decide what kind of person they want representing them in Washington” Hamby said. “I have made straight talk and real solutions a foundation of my campaign and look forward to being able to let voters know where I stand on the issues important to them.”
Diane Hamby will be appearing at events in Yadkin, Iredell, Wilkes and Forsyth counties this weekend.
Hamby, a Statesville business woman, former Iredell County commissioner, and long-time officer with the Iredell Democratic Party, said that she seeks to win the Democratic nomination and unseat 2-term incumbent, Virginia Foxx.
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