While some people are whining that Congress “doesn’t have the time for this,” I couldn’t be happier about it. A House subcommittee has approved the advancement of a bill that would forbid college football from marketing anything as a “national championship” if there isn’t a playoff. Some against the bill say there are “more pressing matters,” but this is the same arguement we hear about them not repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and DOMA. They all have plenty of time for days off they promised they wouldn’t take, so let them walk and chew gum at the same time.
Barack Obama’s already on record saying he wants a college football playoff system. And the number of Congressmen representing schools that get screwed every year outweighs the number of schools that are on the inside (i.e., preseason Top 10).
The role of the government is to do for the people what they can’t do for themselves. Clearly, the powers that be in college football cannot do the right and just thing and create a playoff system, so it is right and just that Congress would do it for them. I can’t think of a better way for the government to exercise its role.
on Dec 10th, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Huh. You would think finding a way to create jobs without bankrupting the country would be at the top of Congress’ to do list. I suppose interfering in something not involving them makes up for it…and I wondered why Obama won the Peace Prize. Clearly its for “fixing” college football…
on Dec 10th, 2009 at 2:49 PM
About time. But will they finish the job? They have aides who are paid to do light work like this.
All the ‘congressperson’ has to do is call in h[er]is votes to either keep the thing going and pass it, or to drop the ball as usually happens.
Takes a few seconds out of their day…or week…or month, depending on how fast the blockers allow the running back to go.
on Dec 10th, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I’ve always felt the best argument when people question why Congress gets involved in these things is to point to the role Congress has in regulating commerce. These sports are allowed to operate at a level of essential monopolies where billions of dollars are passed around through tv companies, teams, fans, etc; as such, Congress should be able to regulate them at a certain level to ensure fair dealings throughout.
on Dec 10th, 2009 at 6:40 PM
BRAVO!!!
I’m glad Congress is getting involved in this, because if there is anything that needs the touch of our government and its bureaucracy, it’s college football. I’m sure, in their attempt to be PC and include every corner of the nation as equally as possible, all 245 Division I teams will enter the playoffs. Rounds of games will be played and finally, after the 12 game regular season and 7 rounds of playoffs to determine the top 2 teams, their eighth and final playoff game can be played. By my quick calculations, that will put the Championship on the calendar right around, the first of February, just in time to make it a Super Bowl Double Header!!!
Let’s hope that Congressional involvement has the desired effect on the powers that be and they decide to avoid such involvement and create their own national championship playoff system. If only that would work with equal rights.
on Dec 10th, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Congress has more important things to deal with than the BCS – that should not even be on their agenda at all. Things like HCR, ENDA, DADT, DOMA should come LONG before any conversation about a college game that too many people bitch and moan about.
on Dec 11th, 2009 at 5:38 AM
Please, you’re comparing this to repealing DADT? What an insult to civil rights. I guess it just shows where your priorities lie. Sorry buddy. This is stupid and Rep. Joe Barton is grandstanding with this legislation.
on Dec 11th, 2009 at 5:42 AM
DOMA and DADT ARE some of those more pressing matters. If you get a trophy after if it and 118 of 120 teams I-A teams are in some way affiliated with that trophy, it’s a national championship. I don’t like the BCS at all, but it’s not really false advertising.
on Dec 11th, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Scary that Congress would even consider wasting a single minute on this nonsense.
on Dec 11th, 2009 at 10:15 AM
You mean colleges are making money off amateur athletes who damage their bodies for the reputation of some greedy institution?
on Dec 11th, 2009 at 10:59 AM
There’s absolutely nothing preventing the powers that be in college football from reverting to the old formula of letting the polls determine a consensus national championship based on the outcome of the myriad of bowl games.
on Dec 11th, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Okay, I think you’re seeing some representation of what the American public REALLY thinks about Congress taking this matter up.
Granted LGBT folks, especially those visiting your site, tend to be a bit more informed of civic issues. But I think if you polled on this matter the majority would prefer Congress not deal with the issue, especially with so many other critical issues facing the country.
It’s almost a slap in the face of those without health care coverage, those with financial issues due to predatory lending, and those who are trying to make ends meet with the economy in the tank.
on Dec 13th, 2009 at 11:47 AM
I really don’t see that it is any of Congress’ business, and quite frankly, the commerce clause argument is a non-starter. I don’t like the BCS, but there are numerous court rulings that essentially prevent any federal government interference. All these moronic representatives can do is yap, yap, yap.