Say it Ain't So, Joe!

Say it Ain't So, Joe!
by Robert Yoho

In what later became known as the "Black Sox" scandal, several members of the Chicago White Sox allegedly conspired to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Red Stockings. Despite their acquittal, Baseball Commissioner Judge Landis permanently banned all of those players from the game.

Also receiving a lifetime suspension was a man named "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, one of the greatest players of his day. Throughout the World Series, Jackson had a batting average of .375 and played error-free defense. However, he still received the same lifetime banishment from Judge Landis.

The scandal made front-page headlines all over the nation. Fans of the game felt betrayed. And according to legend, an apparently disillusioned young boy walked up to Jackson and said, "Say it ain't so, Joe!"

For many years, Joseph Lieberman has been the United States Senator from Connecticut. And throughout his career in the Senate, Lieberman was perpetually regarded as a champion of moral issues and one of the staunchest critics of sex and violence in Hollywood movies. For these bold stands, Lieberman was often called the "moral conscience" of the Senate.

In the wake of the Clinton scandals, Lieberman took to the floor of the Senate and condemned the president's actions. Commentators praised him for his courage. Network anchors marveled at the man's independence. Senators and Congressmen lauded the Connecticut Senator for his boldness.

Yet when the time came for a vote on Bill Clinton's "miss-conduct," Joseph Lieberman eagerly climbed into bed with the president. On the first count of impeachment, Clueless Joe voted "Not guilty." On the second, Lieberman once again voted "Not Guilty."

Say it ain't so, Joe!

With those two simple votes, Lieberman could have proven his condemnation of the president from the Senate floor was more than just idle chatter. The Senator could have actually lived up to his lofty image. And had only one of the two Articles of Impeachment received enough votes, then Albert Gore Jr. would now be the President of the United States and Lieberman could very well be the sitting Vice President.

On February 12, 1999, Lieberman forever gave lie to the idea that he was the moral conscience of the Senate or anything else. The Democrats' most outspoken critic of sex and violence in Hollywood saw nothing wrong with protecting a man who was charged with multiple acts of sex and violence in Washington and Arkansas.

Say it ain't so, Joe!

Then came the Senator's selection by Al Gore to be his vice presidential running mate. Lieberman, a man who was greatly respected for standing on principle, suddenly changed his mind on a host of issues. After repeatedly voting for school vouchers, Clueless Joe betrayed the fans of school choice.

Say it ain't so, Joe!

I have no idea whether Shoeless Joe was actually guilty of throwing the World Series. However, history shows us only the records of how he played when the game was on the line. Jackson had 12 hits in 32 times at the plate. He caught everything that was hit to him in the outfield. He also hit the only home run of the Series and drove in 6 runs.

It will always be a cause for dispute whether Shoeless Joe was involved in the conspiracy. Yet there can be no question that the "distinguished gentleman" from Connecticut became a co-conspirator in the stained Blue Dress conspiracy with his gutless and unprincipled votes on impeachment. The Senator should never expect to see his name mentioned in a future profile of courage. The history books will remind us that he repeatedly dropped the ball. Lieberman was caught looking both times he went to the plate. He hit no home runs and he failed to drive his own points of morality home.

The record will forever show that Shoeless Joe Jackson performed admirably during a scandalous Series; but Clueless Joe Lieberman performed miserably during a series of scandals.

So the next time you hear someone calling Joseph Lieberman the moral conscience of the Senate or a great man of principle, just say it ain't so!