Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
Is the NSAC a branch of the government in some awkward sense? Yes. But this isn't the FBI knocking on your door to do a retina scan because you checked out The Communist Manifesto from the local library. This is done to promote fairness and a level playing field.
We want the commission to do it simply because we don't want the UFC to be in charge of it. Self-policing doesn't work well in these scenarios. Just look at the WWE. Look at Pride. Look at any organization where there's no oversight from an unbiased organization. Things get bad in a hurry. Baseball can survive a widespread steroid scandal, but MMA can't. It's in too fragile a state. Just as the UFC ran to regulation of their rules and competitions, the same is necessary when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs.
Rome seems particularly bothered about the random aspect of the testing, which is done, he says "without any probable cause." My question is, if he's unhappy with random testing, which type would he prefer? Essentially, your options for answering that question are a) none at all, b) before and/or after fights, or c) only when there is "probable cause." Which would be what, exactly? Having traps that come out of your ears?
Random testing is the only type that works. It works because it instills a constant fear of being caught into anyone currently using banned substances. To anyone not using them, it's merely an inconvenience.
As soon as you apply for a license to fight professionally in the state of Nevada, you are essentially agreeing to take a random drug test. If you don't want to do it, that's fine. Don't apply for the license. Or, when they ask you for a urine sample, just refuse. They're not going to send you to Guantanamo Bay for it. You just won't be allowed to fight professionally in Nevada, which is not a guaranteed right in the first place.
Equating random drug testing in sports with "oppressive government tactic[s]" only serves to make you sound like an alarmist while at the same time cheapening real accusations of oppressive government tactics, like warrantless wire-tapping. This is a question of how to make our sport as fair and legitimate and clean as possible, not a question of civil rights.
I'm remaining quiet for now, if for no other reason than I find the back and forth among the various parties quite illuminating.
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Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
by Michael Rome on May 7, 2008 1:17 PM EDT 0 recs
Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
You are also delusional if you think steroids have no ill effects. It is true that there may be some benefits, but it is also true that short term athletic success can be gained by abusing them. This is not about the government, its about keeping the playing field level and the over all legitimacy of the sport. The government does it because there is no one else that will or can effectively.
by szucconi on
May 7, 2008 1:29 PM EDT
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Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
And, glancing up to the next article on this, just because surgery could potentially boost a fighter's performance is not a reason to not fight steroid and other chemical enhancement. That's like saying that because a gang member could stab someone with a knife, there's no reason to try and ensure gangs don't get illegal guns.
by AJB on
May 7, 2008 5:23 PM EDT
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Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
by jemaleddin on May 7, 2008 3:47 PM EDT 0 recs
Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
by Richard on
May 7, 2008 6:16 PM EDT
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Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
But that's all gossip. I mostly threw it in there to tweak Lance fans. :-)
And I would contend that table tennis cleaner.
by jemaleddin on
May 8, 2008 11:28 AM EDT
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Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
by Richard on
May 9, 2008 12:12 AM EDT
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Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
by jemaleddin on
May 11, 2008 9:45 AM EDT
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Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
by jjdnb on May 8, 2008 9:58 AM EDT 0 recs
Re: Cage Potato Makes Case For Random Testing
by Luke Thomas on
May 8, 2008 10:12 AM EDT
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