Does anyone find it ironic that members of Congress are in a position to punish Rafael Palmeiro for lying?  While I know that politicians of all parties do not have the franchise on being untruthful, they sure seem to have a big corner in that market.

Lying to the press or the public or to your spouse are not good things, but they are not crimes.   In an official hearing, under oath, such as a court of law, a deposition, or a congressional hearing, where the lie is material to the proceedings, it is a crime.  Oh, and as Martha Stewart found out, lying to FBI guys in an investigation is also a crime.  Knowing the statement is false is a necessary showing, so the question in Raffy's case would be was he aware of the positive test result when he testified?

Rudy50;
    Do you get a pass if you say "I don't recall..." instead?  Just asking out of curiousity...

I understand the perjury side of this.  I just find it ironic that politicians are the one's doing the judgement in this case.  The system is so corrupt, that they would not be sitting in those taxpayer-owned seats, unless they lied their way there.

Exactly.  One BIG GLASS HOUSE.

Well, you don't get prosecuted or impeached for perjury, but you might lose your public image, or in a court case lose your effort to persuade a judge or jury.

I expect a certain amount of lying, or shading of the truth more often, in politicians, so I don't disqualify them from asking questions.  But if they or anyone else lies under oath, they should pay a penalty.  (By the way I voted for the lying bastard WJC twice.)