Frankie and the Pharmstrong Network

[scribe]

Dear Supervisor:
Thanks!
Love,
me

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Ouch. Get back to work and check it out when you are home!!

 

[menlo_guy]

Frankie is a very classy guy-and very professional-despite the fact that he was "obligated" to interview LA in his comeback 2.0 by Versus as a disguise of matters "apparently" resolved between then & Betsy

I listened to an old interview with Betsy Andreu, after wanting to know more about doping in cycling. I put a link to the audio clip below. There's a lot of interesting stuff in there. The juicy stuff comes around the 14:00 minute mark. (Warning: you might not believe in Santa Claus afterwards)

http://competitorradio.competitor.com/2007/07/152betsy-andreu/

After listening, I think Frankie and Lance never had issues. The only "problem" was that Betsy is an honest person and doesn't want anything to do with drugs. So Lance always had to "remind" Frankie to tell his wife to shut up or else ...

 

[buckwheat]

Interesting choice of words. If he were to act differently, I'd hardly consider it a betrayal. I'd consider his current actions more of a betrayal, but that's just my opinion on the matter. Ultimately we agree though, it's his choice. It's my choice not to respect him for it, though.



That's a convenient position, and it falls into line with the theory that "it's only cheating if you get caught". Personally I don't see it that way.

I don't think FA has an obligation to do anything differently. However, by just playing along my view of him is that he's just part of the problem. I understand that others feel differently, but that's my opinion.

I agree with you, but feeding and clothing your kids sometimes is a disincentive to whistleblowing. Just sayin.

 

[Ninety5rpm]

Yes, and I would presume that none of us knew Stalin, or Kenneth Lay, or the person that robbed the gas station down the street either. That fact does not make the evils they have committed, large or small, any less true.

And I will presume that you do not believe that humans have ever been to the moon or that Barack Obama is president since you do not personally know Obama or any of the astronauts that have been there? All second hand info really.

Thanks for your post though, as it only took 1 from you to join Polock and wonderlance in the nether world, aka ignore list.

Give the newbie a break. Even most avid cyclists are not aware of the real story, much less how compelling it is.

 

[sartain]

Dead teammate with a massive head injury, fellow teammates with financial ruin and medical disasters from doping, divorce, partially abandoned kids, abandoned girlfriends with broken hearts, pimped out Trek bicycles, a win at all costs director, and now a nothing-to-lose snitch with all the inside dirt to put lord pedal a bike and sell a miracle and the beer to go with it and a failing business sponsor into a shame spiral. The millions of dollars and thousands of die hard fans and fantasy of cheating death is now settling into the twilight of all sports careers. Physiology and aging come to all human flesh. Human glory is fleeting. Any person is not God: physical discipline and performance enhancing whatever only lasts for a season and then fades. All this money and business will ebb from Armstrong's grasp, which is a drug that loses its potency. His legacy is like any other human: his time has come and is now going. Watching him bolt from his interview and his dismissal of his more powerful and enjoyable and younger and fresher rivals has sealed his fate, just as it does with all men. Only wisdom and humility can replace the vigor of youth. Only love is as strong as death. I hope he finds it as a replacement for selfish ambition.

Nice post!

My condensed version . . . Sooner or later, Time and Gravity will lay waste to all of us.

Sartain

 

[La Vie Claire]

It was very courageous of Frankie to tell the truth when deposed (that LA admitted to using PEDs when in the hospital). It would have been much easier to simply forget or lie like that Oakley rep did.

I don't fault Frankie for working at Versus. Most, if not all of us, would do the same. He gets paid to follow the Tour -- all he has to do is lob a few softballs to Lance. As some already mentioned, at least Frankie is not like the 3 Amigos.

On another note, I wonder if Frankie is a little upset that he lost his team while Vaughters was able to build Garmin to what is it today. OTOH, I don't think Frankie has the stomach to do what JV has done to build a world-class team -- and I mean this as a compliment.

 

[badboygolf16v]

Nice post!

I concur..

 

[Hugh Januss]

Dear Supervisor:
Thanks!
Love,
me

Exception Details
The website you were trying to reach: http://www.urbandictionary.com
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You didn't really miss anything, it just pointed out that dingleberries are tiny dried bits of $%@# that stick to the hairs surrounding the ^%#!@&* (think of Lance).

 

[Elagabalus]

Whatever ...

That ain't their job. They are there to provide "color" commentary for the race-that's it. They are not journos so don't expect them to ask the tough questions. You'll sleep better

Oh-and Paul and Phil...the best evah!!!*


*but you have to watch the ITV 4 feed. And if anything, they seem to be sleeping with Cav now, not Armstrong!

 

[Anonymous]

Dead teammate with a massive head injury, fellow teammates with financial ruin and medical disasters from doping, divorce, partially abandoned kids, abandoned girlfriends with broken hearts, pimped out Trek bicycles, a win at all costs director, and now a nothing-to-lose snitch with all the inside dirt to put lord pedal a bike and sell a miracle and the beer to go with it and a failing business sponsor into a shame spiral. The millions of dollars and thousands of die hard fans and fantasy of cheating death is now settling into the twilight of all sports careers. Physiology and aging come to all human flesh. Human glory is fleeting. Any person is not God: physical discipline and performance enhancing whatever only lasts for a season and then fades. All this money and business will ebb from Armstrong's grasp, which is a drug that loses its potency. His legacy is like any other human: his time has come and is now going. Watching him bolt from his interview and his dismissal of his more powerful and enjoyable and younger and fresher rivals has sealed his fate, just as it does with all men. Only wisdom and humility can replace the vigor of youth. Only love is as strong as death. I hope he finds it as a replacement for selfish ambition.

Dude, we are all discussing this and like, you come pull out some serious philosophical sh!t on our a$$. Dang man...I feel like my IQ was raised 20 points just reading it...

 

[Anonymous]

I think its interesting to read all of these bash Lance posts when I would bet that none of you know him personally and really have no basis for your opinions other than from second hand information.

Followed by one that took 30 points...

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Last year Betsy made a post on here saying that Frankie was one of Lance's only true friends over the years, which is why Lance is obliged to talk to him. Sad when you think about it I suppose. Everyone you touch is either a yes man, a leech, or grows to despise you, until there's but one true friend left.

Sorry Betsy if I am misinterpreting.

 

[scribe]

Dude, we are all discussing this and like, you come pull out some serious philosophical sh!t on our a$$. Dang man...I feel like my IQ was raised 20 points just reading it...

Those are lyrics for an EMO song

 

[sartain]

I think its interesting to read all of these bash Lance posts when I would bet that none of you know him personally and really have no basis for your opinions other than from second hand information.

You would loose the bet.

 

[elizab]

Last year Betsy made a post on here saying that Frankie was one of Lance's only true friends over the years, which is why Lance is obliged to talk to him. Sad when you think about it I suppose. Everyone you touch is either a yes man, a leech, or grows to despise you, until there's but one true friend left.

Sorry Betsy if I am misinterpreting.

I said Frankie was one of lance's only true friends, yes. That said, it has nothing to do with Frankie talking to him last year. Lance wanted that and for a reason.

I've only read a couple of these posts on this topic. I've already commented on Frankie asking "stock" questions instead of pertinent ones in another thread. That was the last post I had.
I'm not arguing with the person who started this thread. That's why I suggested in the post before this one that I interview. Believe me, my questions would be different which means I'd no longer have a job of interviewing.

Sitting in Chicago traffic is a pain. I don't know how you New Yorkers and Californians do it.

 

[Tubeless]

I think its interesting to read all of these bash Lance posts when I would bet that none of you know him personally and really have no basis for your opinions other than from second hand information.

And you do?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

...That's why I suggested in the post before this one that I interview (Lance). Believe me, my questions would be different...

Now that I'd like to see!

 

[VeloCity]

Jesus. Watched Versus' coverage for the first time today. Shouldn't there be at least some attempt at objectivity?

 

[joe_papp]

Versus and their TDF team are such obnoxious shills for Lance...how the hell does Frankie keep his job as "color" man ?

Apologies if this has already been beaten to death.

Probably the biggest reason for FA's desire to continue in the position, when it's obvious to all and sundry that 1) the network and most of its commentators are shilling for LA and 2) Andreu is not a shill, is actually the simple fact that the guy really loves the sport of cycling - and his commentary work allows him to be immersed in it for the three most important weeks of the year.

Can't say I blame him, b/c as evidenced here, F.A. isn't seeing his (rehabilitated) image compromised by working the Tour for VS. I think someone should interview HIM about what it's like to be a Tour TV presenter (I hesitate to use the word journalist, b/c then he'd be held to standards that all but required him to ask about doping every single day rather than letting it be)...and I really want to see some shots of the new radios that some of the teams are supposedly using. Have you guys heard about them? Supposedly Vermarc is going to have to resize the radio pockets on its bib shorts, cutting down the volume by nearly 1/2.

 

[perico]

And you do?

Actually, I do. I've met him a couple of times. I don't "know him" know him, but I've had the opportunity to speak with him a couple of times for more than just a few minutes.

Nice guy, but those are just minimal first impressions. He's not a pre-madonna like many a NFL star. He makes eye contact with you, and doesn't talk down to you or give off the initial impression that he believes he is better than you. He's friendly enough. He doesn't expect everyone in the room to stop and bow down when he enters.

He comes across like a pretty well rounded guy, but of course, I've only seen that side of him, and have no idea what he's like behind his persona.

However, my impression is that he's a nice enough guy, but his ideals or moral compass were somehow twisted along the way. I don't think he's an inherently evil person, but there is a black and white moral code with him, and if you cross that line, then he will make your life miserable. The problem being that I think his view of right and wrong was somehow twisted along the way.

 

[Black-Balled]

Actually,..He's not a pre-madonna ...

What do you think that means?

 

[VeloCity]

Actually, I do. I've met him a couple of times. I don't "know him" know him, but I've had the opportunity to speak with him a couple of times for more than just a few minutes.

Nice guy, but those are just minimal first impressions. He's not a pre-madonna like many a NFL star. He makes eye contact with you, and doesn't talk down to you or give off the initial impression that he believes he is better than you. He's friendly enough. He doesn't expect everyone in the room to stop and bow down when he enters.

He comes across like a pretty well rounded guy, but of course, I've only seen that side of him, and have no idea what he's like behind his persona.

However, my impression is that he's a nice enough guy, but his ideals or moral compass were somehow twisted along the way. I don't think he's an inherently evil person, but there is a black and white moral code with him, and if you cross that line, then he will make your life miserable. The problem being that I think his view of right and wrong was somehow twisted along the way.

elizab got to know him pretty well, if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps you should ask her.

 

[Roland Rat]

What do you think that means?

That he wasn't born before Madonna?

 

[MacRoadie]

What do you think that means?

"I do not think that word means what you think it means."