Reports of drug use taints national pastime, all of sports

Shoeless Joe Jackson got caught up in the infamous Chicago "Black" Sox scandal and consequently was banned (some think unfairly) from Major League baseball (MLB). That caused the kid to say (perhaps an apocryphal story): "Say it ain't so, Joe."

In recent times we have heard the word scandal repeatedly associated with professional sports. Now we hear (Journal, Sept. 8) that the St. Louis Cardinal's new phenomenon, Rick Ankiel, apparently took Human Growth Hormone (HGH) in 2004. HGH was not banned then by MLB, and he had a prescription, so nothing illegal seems to have occurred. One still wonders though if he quit, as reported, as soon as it was banned. As a St. Louis fan I am still suffering from the allegation about Mark McGwire and steroid use. Say the story is just a trick, Rick!

We have become all too accustomed to corruption in high places. But corruption in our national pastime seems to turn a corner few want to see. It also raises the larger question as to whether there are noble people in any field. How much of our good news is fable and will turn to ashes when more accurate revisions are available?

JAMES PATTERSON

Rapid City

Nebraskan would give right arm for big league bike rally

Just back home to Nebraska from the "Beautiful" Black Hills Rally. And yes we went by the signs Kris Anderson put by her home. We love the Old Keystone - Hill City road on our motorcycles

I would give my right arm to have the hills and rally in Nebraska (not to mention the tax revenue).

I don't know anyone from Washington that says, "Let's go to Nebraska to see the Henry Doorley Zoo (Omaha) or from Florida to see the Arch (Kearney).

People travel here to see family or Nebraska football, then visit whatever tourist attraction while there.

Good old Nebraska has a helmet law, so people used to riding without one will by-pass our state again missing out on revenue. (I wouldn't ride without one, personally)

So please Thank God for the inconvenience, noise, and pray for tolerance during the rally.

We were camped at Custer, and Saturday before we pulled out, I took a long sniff of "pine air" as I knew I'd be trading it for "scorched corn." We come every year to ride the hills during the Rally, and see the beautiful bikes and people.

SHARON UNKEL

Columbus, Neb.

Presidential candidates need to focus on important issues

I know it seems like the government really thinks about the up and coming candidates for public and national offices. I find no real reputable candidate for president of this great failing country of the people.

If we don't get a grip on our country soon and learn to use monies as they are suppose to be used instead of those exorbitant dinners that all these candidates are spending on parties.

Couldn't this money be given for education for sum po folk or maybe some operation that a certain po person needs to enjoy his/her last few years.

I guess what I'm trying to really say: quit commercializing your own agendas and get after the real job of getting our country out of debt and healthy in all aspects of life for this U.S. and our fellow allies who really need us for our love and compassion and not our defensive capabilities. We need to quit looking for those people who hide in bathrooms and play footsie, who happen to be doing a good job, and start looking for those who aren't really doing their jobs without kickbacks or credits for certain parties.

BRIAN SMITH

Hot Springs