Roger Clemens is innocent.
He's innocent like O.J. Simpson was innocent.
He's innocent like the cops that brutally beat up the late Rodney King were innocent.
He's innocent of taking steroids like fellow ex-major leaguer Barry Bonds was innocent.
A jury in Washington, D.C. on Monday acquitted Clemens of six charges related to lying to Congress about taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Juries also found Simpson innocent in 1995 of killing his estranged wife and her friend, those police officers in 1992 of using undue force on King, and didn't convict Bonds last year on most of the charges involving ingesting steroids and human growth hormones.
It makes us wonder that if he were living in this country today, whether Cain could have lawyered up and persuaded a jury that he hadn't bumped off his brother, Abel.
Getting 12 people to say you did it _ particularly in a high-profile case _ is becoming increasingly difficult, bordering upon impossible.
Perhaps it's the phrase "beyond a reasonable doubt" that so often gets in the way of justice. When does "reasonable" become "absurd"? All it took in the Bonds case was one juror who held out on all but one charge.
Around here, the livelihoods of merchants and others greatly depend upon the Hall of Fame inductions in Cooperstown luring tourists to attend the July ceremony.
Clemens, a former Yankees and Red Sox player, would be big business, and he has been acquitted in a court of law. Whether he is vindicated will rely greatly upon the votes this January by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Clemens will be on the ballot to enter the Hall of Fame. So will Bonds and another suspected steroid abuser with Hall-worthy statistics, Mike Piazza.
Included in the instructions sent to the baseball writers is this character clause:
"Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contribution to the team(s) on which the player played."
It takes 75 percent of the writers' votes to gain admission to the Hall without a ticket. Last year, steroid-tainted Mark McGwire received less than 20 percent, and Rafael Palmeiro 12.6 percent.
While it is true that among the "legends" in the Hall of Fame are a number of wife-beaters, drunks and racists, we hope that the writers don't glorify those they believe cheated, despite what a jury may have decided.
It is our opinion that it stretches credulity far beyond the breaking point to believe that Bonds and Clemens were clean.
When parents take their kids to the Hall of Fame, they should expect to see plaques honoring heroes ... rather than cheaters who had persuasive lawyers.
Editorials
Clemens 'innocent' but not vindicated
- Editorials
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
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Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
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IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
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After 40 years, it was time to get married
This newspaper publishes lots of wedding announcements, but one that appeared prominently in Monday's edition was especially heartwarming.
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Cheers
To three longtime public servants who recently announced their decisions to leave their posts.
Continued ... - Monday, May 13, 2013
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Military culture of abuse must change
26,000.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 11, 2013
- Remember mothers on their day
- Friday, May 10, 2013
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In Our Opinion: Cellphone alert system can only help
Since the early days of radio, broadcasters have been able to break into programming to alert listeners about dangerous situations.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 9, 2013
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Home rule decision is good for all
What lawyer Thomas West called an "exit strategy" for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, we call common sense, plain and simple.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 8, 2013
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Internet tax would benefit local businesses
Let's suppose you're the owner of a bicycle business in our area, and a customer comes in to look at a new bike. He asks you questions about it, maybe even sits on it or takes it for a spin. He compares it with other models, looks at the color and checks out what would be the best size for him.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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Cheers
To the city of Oneonta's tree giveaway, the town of Hartwick's "Clean Sweep" day, and Bassett Healthcare's patient-centered medical home program.
Continued ... - Monday, May 6, 2013
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In our opinion: Take steps to prevent fire tragedy
Oftentimes it takes a tragedy to remind us to do the little things that may save our lives.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Collins deserves to be cheered
It's likely that unless you are a big basketball fan, you never heard of Jason Collins before Monday, when he became the first active player in any of the four major American professional sports to announce that he is gay.
Continued ... - Friday, May 3, 2013
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College's amnesty policy can save lives
The statistics on overdoses among college-age Americans are downright sobering.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 2, 2013
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Reality of sequester is scary enough
"Scare tactics" was a phrase used frequently by President Barack Obama's critics about the sequester.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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Let LDC handle Manor sale
It's a dilemma, make no mistake about it.
Continued ... - Tuesday, April 30, 2013
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In Our Opinion: Cheers
To OH-Fest, Kevin Rous for his fundraising derby car, and Cathy Decker on her Green Cap award.
Continued ... - Monday, April 29, 2013
- Keep working on common core test
- Saturday, April 27, 2013
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When disaster strikes, volunteers are ready
It can be said that there are two types of people in any emergency â€" the ones running away from danger, and the ones running toward it.
Continued ... - Friday, April 26, 2013
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Abortion doc's trial deserves coverage
The coverage of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell's trial, in which he is accused of delivering live babies before killing them, has come under fire from anti-abortion activists who have accused to media of a conspiracy of omission.
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Casino in our area worth talking about



