New England Patriots Under Attack by Congress: Arlen Specter "SpyGate" Probe

The US economy is going down the toilet.  The housing crisis is out of control.  Young men and women continue to die in Iraq.  And the New England Patriots apparently destroyed evidence from a high profile "spying" episode during the early half of the 2007 NFL season. 

Yeah you guessed it, "New England Patriots SpyGate" is at the top of priorities for at least one Congressman who has now urged a probe into the apparent discard of the suspect video. 

Senator Arlen Specter is demanding answers from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell over what Specter calls the ‘‘limited penalties’’ handed to Coach Bill Belichick and the team for taping the defensive signals of the New York Jets in the regular season opener.  He is demanding to know why Goodell ordered the Patriots’ tapes destroyed and compared it to the destruction of tapes by the CIA.

As Gambling911.com reported late Friday night, US Presidential Republican candidate Ron Paul - who is outspoken about the rights of Government to stay out of private affairs - lashed out at Senator Arlen Specter, a fellow Republican no less.

Ron Paul's camp issued the following statement:

Under President Paul, there would be no room for this kind of unconstitutional usurpation by Congress. Dr. Paul would force Congress to debate weightier matters, and he would require that the federal government check out its own integrity.

Needless-to-say, the New England press isn't exactly fond of Mr. Specter at this juncture in time.

From SouthofBoston.com and the Patriots Ledger:

Sen. Arlen Specter either has far too much time on his hands or has been imbibing in substances that carry a warning not to get behind the wheel of a car.

How else do we explain the Pennsylvania Republican’s blatantly shameless attempt to get some television face time by seeking an investigation into the so-called Spygate episode with the New England Patriots on the eve of the Super Bowl game against the New York Giants?

It is actions such as Specter’s that feed the American public’s distaste and cynicism for grandstanding by politicians that is just an absolute waste of taxpayers dollars and important legislative time.

And this is one time Giants fans will come to the support of their arch rival Patriots team and defend them.

"Forgive me but I can barely pay my rent," commented Gambling911.com Sports Prognosticator and hard core Bronx-born Giants fan, Anna Cleavage.  "And Congress is worried about the New England Patriots spying on one of its opponents?  Let the fans rip Tom Brady and the boys.  Keep Congress out of it!"

SouthofBoston made this analysis:

Senator, we’d like a fluid sample for testing. Comparing what Belichick did in an attempt to get an advantage, unfairly and against league rules, is nowhere near the level of destroying evidence that may show a violation of international law and the possible torture of prisoners of war.

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com

Originally published February 2, 2008 9:59 am EST