LOOKING ACROSS THE ROOM IS SOMETIMES LIKE LOOKING IN THE MIRROR

Thumbing through yesterday's print edition of the Lakeland Ledger while waiting to get started at work, I came across this strongly worded piece by sports columnist Corey Long. Mr. Long called out retired baseball star Mark McGuire for his testimony --- if you want to call it that --- Thursday on Capitol Hill.

Now I know why the Bash Brothers never liked each other. For Mark McGwire, it's got to be tough to stare at Jose Canseco and see himself -- a liar, a cheater, a phony and a hypocrite...

Ever since his "harmless" bottle of androstenedione was found in 1998, McGwire has categorically denied (through his publicists) the use of steroids. No way, no how, not ever. And how dare anyone accuse him of otherwise.

But under the bright lights on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Mac couldn't say no. And by not saying no, he said a resounding yes...

But McGwire couldn't join Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro to just say no. I can't blame him. There's a pretty stiff penalty for lying under oath.

McGuire should have done the right thing and, if he had used, say so. He wouldn't have to "rat out" his friends and former teammates. He should just "be a man" and admit if he was a user.

Certainly, his accomplishments would be tainted, but people tend to forget over time. However, the respect he would have received for doing the right thing and telling the truth would have more than made up for it.