Soros' bid for Nationals gets political

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/nationals/2005-06-28-soros-republicans_x.htm

Soros' bid for Nationals gets political
By Hal Bodley, USA TODAY
Republicans in Congress threatened Major League Baseball on Monday with repeal of its antitrust exemption if billionaire financier George Soros is involved in buying the Washington Nationals.
Soros, who contributed more than $20 million to groups in an attempt to unseat President Bush last year, recently joined an ownership group led by entrepreneur Jonathan Ledecky.

Seven groups have submitted bids for the former Montreal Expos franchise, which has been owned by the other 29 major league teams since 2002.

"I think Major League Baseball understands the stakes," House Government Reform chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., told Roll Call.

<</SNIP>>

[Fuzz]

1. Hmm, that just doesn't sound legal

or ethical, now does it?

[northzax]

18. cough, bills of attainder, cough

oh, terri schiavo, forgot sorry. isn't there a war on or something they should be paying attention to?

[warrens]

35. It's not

This is exactly the way the NAZI Party operated. Your political, financial and eventually civil rights all depended on your adherence to their ideology. I know everyone screams about the Nazi reference, but until they came up with the Final Solution, they were just garden-variety fascists. Like this bunch.

[natrat]

51. unfotunatly this gained some resonance in my skull

[Bo]

59. Very true, Nazis operated the same exact way

This is very sad republicans are truly evil people

[Mokito]

63. Shhhhh....ixnay on the azinay comparrison-euhm-ay

:hide:

[WhiteTara]

64. you're talking about the repukes here

why would they think of legal or ethical questions. All they know is that is "MINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINE" Everything that is.

[marmar]

2. What dogs!!!

How many pro-Republican sports team owners and leagues (NFL) are there? I love it that Soros so gets under their skin. Tom Davis is such the stereotype Repug troglodyte.

[Junkdrawer]

3. Imagine if Soros tried to buy a cable station...

I think their heads would explode...

[Roland99]

21. I'd love to see him buyout Sinclair and fund a new news network

[Dr.Phool]

49. Actually in the last quarter

He and Warren Buffet bought millions of shares of AOL-Time-Warner, the parent company of CNN. One can only hope.

[Riddler]

4. So let's get this straight.......

they want to prevent him from buying the team solely and wholly because of his political beliefs? Excuse me, but didn't the POS in the White House once own a major league team despite his political beliefs? This is nothing more than a bunch of thin skinned paranoids trying to use their power to deny certain rights that we should all enjoy to certain people simply because they either don't agree with them or are afraid of them. How damn much more is it going to take for the idiots who support this illegal regime to realize what they've done to our country?

[The White Tree]

6. Yes the irony is really quite cutting on that

Republicans really stick to their party motto:

Do as I say not as I do.

[RPM]

8. how do you think they gain / retain their power?

dumb shit like this, of course....

[salin]

5. I am not sure but think that we may finally be at the point

where the GOP - esp the Admin and Congress - face a backlash each time they try to bully via politics - in areas that the public doesn't see as political. But, fortunately, the WH and GOP Congress - don't see it yet, so they keep making plays that appear to be blatant attempts at abuse of power.

They seem to forget that many of their elected wins are due to independents and moderates. Both of whom, at least in this red part of the country, who get a bit uneasy with the raw - and perceived to be unnecessary - attempts to use politics to get their way in other areas.

The question is whether these folks (middle voters) stop at... "ugh, that doesn't seem right." (which just adds to a growing impression/feeling of slight discomfort/illateast with republicans)... or if they start to ask... "Why? Why would it matter that a rich guy who is a dem supporter is part owner of a baseball team? Why would they threaten my ability to go see ball games (b/c if congress acted on this - ticket prices would go up) over politics?"

Indeed I am asking why? Beyond the "repubs just hate Soros and want to screw him everytime they can in retribution for giving money to campaign against bush and giving voice to a rich financier's questioning the 'convetional wisdom' that the GOP is good for business" - I don't get why republicans (or at least Davis) would want to waste political capital on this?

I think it is blind arrogance - they say sh*t like this without thinking, because they are used to be able to do so and like flaunting how powerful they are even when it has nothing to do with politics, policy, or the things one expects Congress to be involved with.

I hope this gets a little play - either Davis being forced to say he overspoke - and so it gets a day or too more play - or Davis not doing so and a bit of a prolonged side show that makes it into sportscasting (including what the costs would be to MLB iff Davis and the GOP went forward with such a threat.) Because with each airing - some folks listening will respond wtf?! and when they either reflect on past abuse of power power plays that played in the media - or when they see the next one and now are more aware of it because of the wtf moment with this story... it will compound the middle america view of... "ugh... republicans are at it again". And when that becomes a prevailing sentiment for the apolitical, or for the moderate swing voters... do you think they will be voting republican in the next elections?

And they just keep doing it to themselves.

[Toots]

33. I know what you say is true but the sad part is those in the middle

don't necessarily find this a partisan issue. Kind of like "All Politicians do It, We hate it but that is the nature of politics." I see it as more of a partisan issue and have not heard a Democrat make a similar threat in the past. I think it is a Republican trait and I think it would be benificial if someone could come up with a list of examples of their abuse of power. It has been going on for some time but as for this Administration it began immediately with their refusing to release the "Presidential Papers" in total disregard of Congressional Law. To my knowledge those papers have still not been released to the public even though Congress has passed a Law saying they had to be released after twelve years from leaving Office. They can be released after eight years but must be released after twelve years. Reagan has been out of Office for nineteen years and yet Bush* still refuses to release the Papers. There must be something unflattering about most members of his cabinet in them. It has also been over twelve years for his father Bush 1. Next the Cheney Energy Meetings, and on and on.

[salin]

37. Bush gave a executive order - er - edict that changed the "release"

requirements of papers. Now the current president can reject docs from being released - as can any past president- and after the president dies - he (she) can pass on the authority to review and reject requests on to someone else (and so on and so on).

He passed this to keep Poppys papers sealed indefinitely (and his own, no doubt.)

[agingdem]

7. Soros can't invest in the baseball team because...

politics has no place in baseball but Fred Malik, Nixon's Jew Counter, can.

[habitual]

9. Shows Just How SCARED They Are

This is so typical of someone (or group) who is losing control and becoming desperate.

Clearly this is illegal, since when is it lawful for congress to decide that someone, because of his political leaning, is not allowed to participate in a business transaction. Then go further and threaten the other party that he is doing business with. This is MOB tactics.

The Republican Mafia is running our country.

[redqueen]

28. Hi habitual!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[habitual]

30. Hi redqueen

Very nice to be posting now after lurking for so long. Thanx for the welcome!

[rehawk]

10. China buying energy companys?

Shouldn't this be of more importance? A communist country trying to get control of our energy? Is it time to nationalize our energy industries. National security you know.

[MaineDem]

17. Doesn't China already own 40% of American debt?

Now there's a takeover Congress should look into!

[redqueen]

31. Hi rehawk!

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[habitual]

11. Quote from Democrat on Issue

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif

"It should be offensive not just to Democrats, but to all voting Americans that Republicans might manipulate the legislative process for partisan purposes in response to the potential purchase of a baseball team by someone who does not support the current Republican agenda."

[Media_Lies_Daily]

12. That's a bunch of crap.

[Democat]

13. Democrats should attack Republicans for "politicizing" baseball

Come on Democrats, this could be a huge issue!

Make this bigger than Shiavo - where are the Democrats other than George Miller on this issue?

[sendero]

14. Is this even legal?

On what basis can they make such a threat? This sounds like racketeering to me, time for a RICO suit.

[northzax]

20. sure it's legal

congress provides MLB with an exemption from the Sherman anti-trust acts and successors. Congress can, with a simply majority vote, and a signature from the President, remove that exemption.

[Fuzz]

32. Certainly true, but over this?

[northzax]

34. as good as anything, right?

didn't bother with lockouts, steroids, cheating or anything else, but democrats? oooh, that's a paddlin'

[auburngrad82]

15. Isn't this inhibiting Free Trade? That's anti-GOP!

[DeepModem Mom]

16. This is, to me, really frightening. Democrats/liberals...

being marginalized and stigmatized in this way is a sign we are starting down a very scary path.

[MaineDem]

19. Exactly! Where will it stop?

It's very frightening.

[Solly Mack]

23. We started down that path a while back - it's getting worse now

the right wing blamed liberals for all things bad (and perceived as bad by some) just so they could do things like this and half of America would accept it as "normal" and "just the way it is"


it's why they call us rats
it's why they blame all social ills on us
it's why they call us immoral


So they could deny us jobs (Kentucky, we know...but where else?)
So they could deny us business ownership

Starting to sound familiar?

[DeepModem Mom]

25. I knew this reminded me of another recent report, and the Ky. job story...

was it. You're right -- same thing.

[Roland99]

22. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and the GOP

http://www.conjur.com/blog/2005/06/28/baseball-hot-dogs-apple-pie-and-the-gop/

So, you’ve been thinking about buying a baseball team. A Major League Baseball team. Maybe something like the Washington Nationals, the former Montreal Expos that have moved to our nation’s capital. Well, it’s all fine and dandy as long as you don’t criticize the dear ol’ GOP!

That’s right, the party of free trade and capitalism is now bringing partisan politics and anti-competitive practices into Major League Baseball in an attempt to thwart the purchase of the Washington Nationals by George Soros, the billionaire who helped fund organizations like MoveOn.org and Center for American Progress in an attempt to defeat the Propagandist in the 2004 Presidential elections.

You’d think the GOP could cut the guy some slack. After all, it was Soros’ Harken Energy company that bailed out the Propagandist back he was a failed oil businessman.

But, this is just another feather in the authoritarian cap worn by the GOP of late. It’s unconstitutional for Congress to pass legislation that affects a sole individual but yet they still passed that ridiculous bill to “save” Terri Schiavo. Now we’ll likely see a similar push to keep Soros out of the Majors.

This is pure Bush league!

[DBoon]

24. I promise not to violate Godwin's law

but they really DO want a one-party dictatorship

[redqueen]

26. How is it any of their business?

Do these people even understand what their job is?

[JohnnyBoots]

27. sounds like a discrimination law suit to me.

[QueenJane94133]

29. Free Enterprise, Capitalism, The American Dream, Anyone???

What a crock!

[Supersedeas]

36. don't sound like Laissez-faire economics to me--fascists business 101

maybe

[onenote]

38. be afraid, be very afraid

This is such bullshit. At this point the Repub leadership doesn't even attempt to maintain the facade of believing in free speech and democracy. I don't remember anyone complaining about some of the baseball owners that are big time Repub donors, like Jerry Colangelo who owns the PHoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks or Thomas Hicks, who owns the Texas Rangers. There are a few owners that generally support Democratic candidates, like John MOores from San Diego. And interestingly, Major League Baseball's PAC generally gives more money to Democrats than to Repubs.

Threatening to punish Baseball if they allow a rich Democrat to own a team....I honestly never thought I'd see the day. Someone should ask Tom Davis why he doesn't spend his time on something important, like trying to get armored vehicles for his constituents that are getting killed in Iraq.

onenote

[Algomas]

39. RICO RICO RICO RICO RICO. They really are the Sopranos!!

[SoCalDem]

40. Shame on Soros.. He NEEDS to buy a TV network

so that some real news could get through, but instead he wants to buy an expensive TOY..a baseball team,. P-toooooey on him..

I wonder how many "ordinary folks" could even afford to buy some tickets and take their family to a game there:eyes:

[silvermachine]

41. Soros's Nats Bid Irks Republicans (WP)

As we all know, there apparently is nothing that the GOP will not make political hay out of....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/27/AR2005062701447.html

Nice quote:

<<<snip "Why should politics have anything to do with who owns the team," Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) asked. "So Congress is going to get involved in every baseball ownership decision? Are they next going to worry about a manager they don't like? I've never seen anything as impotent as a congressman threatening the baseball exemption. It gets threatened half a dozen times a year, and our batting average threatening the exemption is zero." >>>

[liberalcenter]

42. Buy a voting machine company

and we'll get the same press and true election reform.

[Bluzmann57]

43. If they are so damned concerned about baseball

Then why don't they just make a law saying that the Cubs win the World Series this year? Sound ridiculous? No more so than worrying about who owns a team, especially if Soros' group comes with the high bid. Said it before and I'll say it again, these repubs are a bunch of dumb asses. Worry about the war, worry about high gas prices, worry about education, health care, crime, and other things that people actually care about. I didn't hear any hue and cry when a certain son of a president was an owner of the Texas Rangers. Goddamn. These a**holes REALLY need a grip on reality.

[Supersedeas]

44. will baseball fan * blame partisanship in baseball on Dems too?

[aden_nak]

45. Whaaaaaaa. Only Republicans are allowed to be rich.

Republican Transportation Unit

[aden_nak]

46. Didn't George W. own the Rangers while his dad was in office?

[StaggerLee]

47. Part owner I believe

And they traded Sosa....


right?

[Cha]

48. Fuck you, john sweeney..and the

big turkey elephant you rode in on.

The Yankees' steinbrenner is a rich fucking republican who gives money to bush. you're just jealous cause Soros wants to have a Professional Basketball team and it's none of your gawd damn business!!

[natrat]

50. that is hilarious

what a bunch of turds

[Moderator]

52. Kick

[AUYellowDog]

53. GOP to revoke MLB tax exemption if Soros wins bid for Nationals

http://www.suntimes.com/output/quickhits/cst-spt-1hit29.html

[napi21]

54. I don't think MLB should have ANY exemption!

It's a damn GAME!!!! Why do they get a tax exemption????

I feel the same about the NFL, NHL and any other groups!

Why in the world do they have a tax exemption at all? I do't care who owns them. Shrub can buy back the damn team for all I care.

I say do away with the exemption for all of them NOW!

[mac56]

58. Here's why

From espn.go.com

Baseball has been exempt from antitrust laws since 1922, when the Supreme Court determined even though there was scheduling of games across state lines, those games weren't interstate commerce. The travel from one state to another was "not the essential thing," Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote in the decision.

By virtue of the exemption, coupled with decades of reluctance of various courts to overrule, baseball is the only sport, or business for that matter, that has an exemption to the extent that it does.

Later the court ruled that when the Sherman Act was enacted in 1890, Congress didn't intend it to include baseball -- that the Sherman Act was more closely directed to the monopolies and trusts of the robber barons like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie.

In case after case judges have admitted that the baseball exemption was flawed, but it has never been overruled. Exemptions for boxing, football and basketball were denied in the higher courts, while hockey and golf antitrust exemptions were also denied in the lower courts.

[KamaAina]

55. They might as well just go ahead and do it right now

A mere forty miles up I-95 from DC lies Baltimore's Camden Yards, where Orioles owner Peter Angelos is a known left-wing commie pinko fellow traveler :sarcasm: who once invited the Cuban national team to play an exhbition series against the O's.

I do believe that the new ownership of the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox leans Dem as well. Are the repukes prepared to forfeit the title to the Cards? Yikes!

[lakercub]

56. It's not a tax exemption...it's an anti-trust exemption

which they still shouldn't have. There can never be a competitor to Major League Baseball because of this rule. With Selig in charge I wouldn't mind a little competition.

However, the idea that the exemption would be removed simply because of Soros is stupefying. What next, new rules for basketball because Senator Kohl is a democrat who owns the Bucks?

Republican bullying never seems to end.

[jobycom]

57. "Republican bullying"

Will end in 2006, if we do our job! :-)

[napi21]

60. Thanks! I kept reading these posts and trying to find the link to

a tax exemption! There doesn't seem to be one! It's anti trust. I think all these special protections shoould go away.

As far as Anti-trust...it doesn't seem that our AG is enforcing any anti trust law in any other business either!

[HuckleB]

61. I hope Soros gets his team. And the exemption goes bye bye, too.

And I am all about baseball!

[KamaAina]

62. This is the selfsame Tom Davis who tried to keep Dems out of his district

no, really. A major DC-area developer announced plans to build a large townhouse development near a Metro station that lies within Davis' district.

Did Davis express pleasure with the economic development in his district? Um, no -- he said he'd fight the plan with all of his political might (?) since, as he told someone off the record, "all it does is create more Democrats."

So, Democrats aren't allowed to live in Davis' district, and Democrats aren't allowed to own baseball teams in Davis' metropolitan area. (Is he miffed that DC was chosen over Northern VA to host the team?) What's next? A sign that reads "Welcome to the First Congressional District -- no Democrats after sundown"?

[rocktivity]

65. Didn't the Nazis make it illegal for Jews to own businesses?

sorry for the Nazi comparison, but if the Bush empire doesn't like them, they should excercise their option of not making them possible.

:headbang:
rocknation