When politicians in Washington decided that it was time to get themselves on the evening news a few months ago, they decided to call a bunch of baseball players before their committee and question them about steroids.

Well, they got themselves on TV, and earned the general public's disgust with their grandstanding.

Not content to preen before the cameras next year during the confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito, Sen. Arlen Specter today came out and decided to use his position as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to right a "wrong." Namely, the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to suspend Terrell "Poison Pill" Owens for the remainder of the 2005 season.

Specter emphasized that he was "not a supporter of Terrell Owens."

"I am madder than hell at what he has done in ruining the Eagles' season," the Pennsylvania Republican said. "I think he's in flagrant breach of his contract and I believe the Eagles would be within their rights in not paying him another dime or perhaps even suing him for damages."

But Specter said, "I do not believe, personally, that it is appropriate to punish him (by forcing him to sit out the rest of the season). He's not committed a crime, he's committed a breach of contract. And what they're doing against him is vindictive."

Sen. Specter would do himself, and the rest of America, a great good if he would resist the urge to open his mouth for the remainder of his Senate term. Grandstanding like this merely begs the question: "Don't you have anything better to do?"