"I am here to make it very clear that I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period."

　　Uh-huh, now it's very clear, Raffy. After standing in front of a Congressional committee and loudly declaring your innoncence in the Steroid Scandal of 2005, it's clear that you either lied about it or are utilizing the same hollow pleas of ignorance that made guys like Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds pariahs a few months ago. McGwire's decision to be terminally wishy-washy during the Congressional hearing was ripped apart by sports fans after the fact; and with Bonds, most fans wouldn't believe him if he told them it was raining while they stood in the middle of a Malaysian monsoon. But you, Palmeiro, were the stand-up guy. We wanted to believe you if for no other reason than you looked like such an attractive alternative to the 'roid poster boys like Giambi and Sosa. Back then, you made it clear in no uncertain terms:

　　"I have never used steroids. Period."

　　Today you said you never intentionally used steroids. To borrow an old phrase: It's better to stay silent and be suspected of being an idiot (or in this case, a juicer) than open your mouth and remove all doubt.

　　Perhaps McGwire had the right idea all along: Just keep your mouth shut.