I've read the U.S. Constitution many times. But I just can't seem to find that part of it which allots the power to Congress to regulate college bowl games.
Our country isn't going broke - it is broke. We are at war and possibly as many as 30 million people are in the country illegally. So it's natural for Congress to focus on...college football rankings? Really? If this isn't a sign that they are falling down drunk on their own unchecked power then I don't know what else could tip us off.
CBS Sports has the story here.
WASHINGTON -- Dismissing complaints from some members that Congress had more pressing matters, a House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine its national champion.
"We can walk across the street and chew gum at the same time," said the subcommittee chairman, Illinois Democrat Bobby Rush, one of the bill's co-sponsors. "We can do a number of things at the same time."
The legislation, which still faces steep odds, would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision game as a national championship unless it results from a playoff. The measure passed by voice vote in the House Energy and Commerce Committee's commerce, trade and consumer protection subcommittee, with one audible "no," from Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga.
"With all due respect, I really think we have more important things to spend our time on," Barrow said before the vote, although he stressed he didn't like the current Bowl Championship Series, either.
The BCS selections announced last weekend pit two unbeaten teams, No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Texas, in the Jan. 7 national title game. Three other undefeated teams - TCU, Cincinnati and Boise State -- will play in a BCS bowl game, but not for the championship.
"What can we say - it's December and the BCS is in chaos again," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He said the BCS system is unfair and won't change unless prompted by Congress
Joe Barton? Really? Dear God man you are a Republican! Is the "system" unfair? Maybe - but what business is it of Congress to meddle is such nonsense? My alma-mater is among the unworthy as it resides in a "non" BCS conference but such is life. I even have season tickets to watch our ranked football team but as much as I might like or not like the system it is no business of Congress.
The bowl games are organized by non or not for profit private organizations. And each university agrees, on their own and without parental supervision, to be part of the conferences that have agreements with the bowl games. As a matter of fact they have the right to NOT play in the bowl game(s) associated with their conference. That seems natural seeing that we live in a free country. Or at least we did at one time.
So again - what business is it of our Congress Kremlin to claim the right to force our universities into any system of bowl games? What right is listed in the U.S. Constitution to hold hearings on how a national champion is determined? Madness.
Is it because the federal government provides aid to universities? Are you going to hang your hat on that one as you sell out freedom? I get a tax break on my home loan but I don't think that gives Congress the right to say what football games I attend. Or for whom or where that I work. So why should my university bow to people who have FAR MORE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS TO HANDLE and for which no one intended such power to hold.
Who shall stand and tell their representatives, even the ones they like, to put the bottle down and go home for the night. Most football stadiums stop selling beer at some point during the game. Bartenders make a last call. Someone please turn on the lights, sweep the floors and send the drunkards home.
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