Tuesday 13 September 2005

Schumer, MLB Call For New Roberts Probe

No Records Found Of His Work As Umpire; May Have To Abstain From Potential Steroid Cases

Following his opening statement, beginning the Senate hearings for his confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice and taking the role of Chief Justice, John Roberts will face new scrutiny from Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY).

"I got a call last night from Bud Selig," offered Schumer. "Telling me that there is no record of John Roberts being an 'umpire' or, for that matter, ever working in baseball."

In his statement to the Senate Judicial Committee, Roberts stated;

"Judges and justices are servants of the law, not the other way around. Judges are like umpires. Umpires don't make the rules; they apply them … The role of an umpire and a judge is critical. They make sure everybody plays by the rules … But it is a limited role. Nobody ever went to a ball game to see the umpire."

In closing, Roberts remarked that "I will remember that it's my job to call balls and strikes and not to pitch or bat."

Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball, released a statement last night that read, in part;

"We brought to the committee's attention that Major - and Minor - League Baseball has no records of John Roberts serving as an umpire, a player, coach or in any manner, being an employee of any baseball franchise."

Schumer plans on question Roberts as to his baseball reference.

"It wouldn't be the first time an appointee embellished his resume," stated the Senator.

Judicial Committee Chairman Arlen Spector (R-PA), dismissed Schumer's probe as "a waste of time"

"The man made an analogy to demonstrate his intent towards impartiality. I don't believe he was, literally, telling us that he was a baseball umpire."

Schumer countered back to Spector, saying that "with the potential of more steroid hearings and charges, anti-trust legislation, it's an issue that the Supreme Court could face".

"If Roberts is confirmed," said Schumer, "I would expect him to dismiss himself from any baseball-related cases that reach the high court."

Schumer plans on a hard-line of questioning to Roberts, as to his baseball reference.

"It wouldn't be the first time an appointee embellished his resume," stated the Senator.









Senior members of FEMA await the announcement of R. David Paulison as the new, temporary director of the crisis-ridden agency

Bush Taps 'America's Fire Chief' As Temp FEMA Honcho

Paulison Takes Helm During Crises; Calls For Pronto Shipments of Duct Tape and Plastic

With uncharacteristic speed, President Bush accepted the resignation of Michael Brown as Director of FEMA and quickly named R. David Paulison as temporary director of the crises-ridden agency.

Paulison comes with the credentials of a career in fire and emergency services, unlike Brown, who previously managed an international show horse association.

Paulison is the former Fire Chief of the Miami Fire Department and earned kudos for his work during Hurricane Andrew. Paulison, was named Florida Fire Chief of the Year in 1993, and is a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs

Shortly after September 11th, 2001, Paulson has been the head of the National Fire Administration, a division within FEMA.

In brief remarks, Paulison did not criticize the outgoing Brown, or FEMA, but focused on the job ahead.

"We still have a big job ahead of us," stated Paulison. "I've ordered the immediate shipment of duct tape and plastic covering to the Gulf area. These people are still vulnerable and need the protection."

Paulison, in 2003, following the raising of the terrorist alert to Orange by former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, urged Americans to stock up on supplies, including duct tape and plastic covering for windows, in the case of a biological attack.

As being named temporary director, Paulison will not require Senate confirmation.

"David Paulison is well-respected and someone who is a familiar face to the White House, having previously been through a Senate confirmation," said Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman, after the announcement on Monday.