Senator Specter and the Patriot Tapes

FROM THE PHILADEPHIA INQUIRER

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/15473207.html

Editorial: Sen. Specter and the Patriot Tapes
Spy inquiry is way out of bounds

Sen. Arlen Specter is expected to meet with NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell this month to get to the bottom of alleged spying by the New England Patriots.

> With all due respect to the good senator from Pennsylvania, you're wasting taxpayers' time and money with this unnecessary inquiry. Please get back to more pressing matters.

> If Specter wants to investigate spying, how about examining the Bush administration's use of illegal wiretaps. Instead, Specter is focused on the NFL's decision to destroy videotapes the Patriots used to spy on other teams.

> Specter wondered if the league was involved in a "cover-up." He questioned whether illicit taping helped the Patriots beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl three years ago. He also suggested he may hold Senate hearings into the matter.

> Puhleeze.

> We could see Specter getting worked up over the CIA's decision to destroy tapes of terror suspects getting tortured. Instead, he's carrying on about football as if it's a matter of national security.

> Surely, Specter's outrage has nothing to do with his backing of the cable industry, and his big donors at Comcast, who are in a fight with the football league concerning the NFL Network.
> Or perhaps the NFL didn't get Specter's chief of staff good enough seats to the Super Bowl. Specter says he wasn't aware of the request and that the staffer would pay for the seats, which cost $700 each.

> That's fine. But what does it say about arrogance and influence-peddling that a Senate staffer would even pick up the phone and request a couple of Super Bowl tickets? Perhaps, Specter should start a hotline so constituents can call him next time they need tickets to a big game or concert.

> Specter is a smart, distinguished senator. If he wants to play games, he should stick to his beloved squash courts.