Interesting piece on Livestrong

[Dr. Maserati]

"I got more support from NYVeloCity and its readers than from anywhere else."

Oh really ? Who would have thought ?

Do not consider yourself as fooled, but tooled.
bah, bah, bahhhh is all that comes to my mind when thinking about that disgusting approach.
Those are just the ghosts that you have called by your genius wristband comment. They give a sh** about you, one could think. Noble and fine people those guys from the hater-crews really are.

That approach reminds me of noble countries "helping" African countrys, to secure resources.

Of course I got it all wrong.

Not all - your English is really really good.

But the rest, yes - you did get it wrong.
Charles made it very clear he appreciated the call (& kudos to Brewer for doing that) but says he turned it down "for a lot of reasons" while acknowledging that:

Nonetheless, I said I respected the work of the group, its staff and, above all, those who selflessly volunteer their time.

 

[Race Radio]

The author would have done a lot better pointing out the garbage articles on Livestrong.com with examples like these:

ERGOGENIC BENEFITS OF HGH

BODYBUILDING HORMONE SUPPLEMENTS

THE EFFECTS OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS

It is truly disturbing that Livestrong.com gets so much advertising $$$ from products that are proven to cause/accelerate cancer growth

 

[Race Radio]

"I got more support from NYVeloCity and its readers than from anywhere else."

Oh really ? Who would have thought ?

Do not consider yourself as fooled, but tooled.
bah, bah, bahhhh is all that comes to my mind when thinking about that disgusting approach.
Those are just the ghosts that you have called by your genius wristband comment. They give a sh** about you, one could think. Noble and fine people those guys from the hater-crews really are.

That approach reminds me of noble countries "helping" African countrys, to secure resources.

Of course I got it all wrong.

NYVelocity started an online fund for Charles' medical fees.....they raised over $10,000.

None of that went to shipping t-shirts or promoting a myth, it went directly to helping a person with a big challenge.

 

[Cobblestoned]

NYVelocity started an online fund for Charles' medical fees.....they raised over $10,000.

None of that went to shipping t-shirts or promoting a myth, it went directly to helping a person with a big challenge.

Fine and classy people

When I should get cancer, I'll just drop a tweet.

 

[thehog]

From the article I found this interesting and a reference to where the legal fees are being spent:

"At least two other major publications have done serious reporting on Livestrong—that is, they started to. In both cases, Livestrong lawyers succeeded in shutting down the stories before they were published. They applied the same pressures to Outside, blitzing my editors with ****ed-off e-mails, phone calls, and, eventually, a five-page letter from general counsel Mona Patel complaining about “Mr. Gifford’s conduct, professionalism, and method of reporting.” One of my crimes was a failed attempt to get a source to talk off the record, an ordinary journalistic practice."

- Which makes you wonder if everything was bright and aboveboard at Livestrong why are they attempting to shut-down these stories?

 

[Cloxxki]

From the article I found this interesting and a reference to where the legal fees are being spent:

"At least two other major publications have done serious reporting on Livestrong—that is, they started to. In both cases, Livestrong lawyers succeeded in shutting down the stories before they were published. They applied the same pressures to Outside, blitzing my editors with ****ed-off e-mails, phone calls, and, eventually, a five-page letter from general counsel Mona Patel complaining about “Mr. Gifford’s conduct, professionalism, and method of reporting.” One of my crimes was a failed attempt to get a source to talk off the record, an ordinary journalistic practice."

- Which makes you wonder if everything was bright and aboveboard at Livestrong why are they attempting to shut-down these stories?

And which were the publications the public didn't get to see?

 

[thehog]

interesting article.

Focuses a lot of attention on the financials and where the money goes which I think is interesting - and Livestrong doesnt come off that well for that.

Says an awful lot about the cross-promotion and blurry lines between Livestrong and Lance ....

but falls short in a few ways.

I have always believed that Lance stopped short of actual fraud in terms of his charity, and this article seems to confirm that. Just that the funds raised are spent to promote Lance, and to raise speaking and appearance fees for Lance.

I think it’s a start. The blurriness of “research” appears to be more clear now. I think you’ll see the other publications opening up now that the Outside article has hit the stands.

I don’t think anything illegal comes of the organization. I think it’s not clear how it spends its money and they way it portrays itself is different very than is reality. Hopefully from the article more people will be “aware” of what the organization does and can make more informed decisions on their donations.

My feeling I’m left with after reading the article is that it’s an oversized “Champions Clubs” for high income donors and corporates

The article makes mention that to go deeper would require “IRS” type powers. A journalist or casual investigator is never going to find anything in the reports published to the website.

 

[BotanyBay]

Charles Pelkey's response

Looks like Pharmstrong "stayed classy" by pressuring VN to make some big changes.

 

[Race Radio]

My feeling I’m left with after reading the article is that it’s an oversized “Champions Clubs” for high income donors and corporates
.

True, and they are treated well. Millions of dollars in gifts and free travel for donors......sounds like a ponzi scheme.

 

[Velodude]

From Outside Magazine article

After the deal was criticized in the media, Armstrong donated his initial sale proceeds—roughly $1.2 million—to the foundation and said he planned to donate the rest, too.

The Demand Media deal occurred in 2008. No mention of the deal in Livestrong financial statements when proper governance and conflict of interest would be at issue. Armstrong illegally profited from Livestrong and the media correctly pointed that fact out.

The horse has bolted. The act of contrition of making restitution of illegal profits does not absolve Armstrong from the IRS taking punitive action.

If a bank robber returned the booty to the bank knowing he had been identified but before the cops came acalling he would still be prosecuted. Same for insider trading profits. Only assists in sentencing.

Livestrong spends as much on legal bills as on these two programs combined: $1.8 million in 2009–10, mainly to protect its trademarks. ... And it was the foundation that paid to defend their joint trademark against the Barkstrong dog-collar salesman.

This is evidence of the unhealthy and uncommercial relationship between Armstrong and Demand Media that benefits Demand Media to the detriment of Livestrong.

 

[BotanyBay]

[/B]

You know, In the past I have found much of what you say interesting and sometimes enlightening. However, what you wrote here shows your bias and ignorance.

RaceRadio is so well-informed, he can't possibly have anything but a bias. But of all the people who provide information, he has been more correct than anyone I have known in my 10+ years of being interested in the topic. His predictions come true. He is far from ignorant.

 

[Velodude]

I like the article, although I'm not quite through it yet.

I wonder whether those big appearance fees, considered charitable donations by those writing the checks, were subsequently filed as tax deductions, while Lance considered it personal income.
Then Lance's financiers might be formally guilty of tax fraud, even if they were unaware of this.
I realize, Lance is global, his national IRS may not have jurisdiction over all his operations of both end of the money trail.

The "appearance fees" of Lance Armstrong for the TDU was paid by the South Australian Government.

If the money was paid as income to Armstrong there is a substantial tax deducted by the payer as applies in most countries where foreign sports persons compete or entertainers perform.

If paid as a donation to Livestrong no tax would be deducted.

If Armstrong deceived the government the fees were to be paid as a donation then those fees would be recoverable under trade practice laws relating to deceptive and misleading conduct. Also there would be tax avoidance issues with the local revenue authorities.

 

[Polish]

Cool, just like old times. LiveStrong.org vs LiveStrong.com
JetFuel, Lawyers. hookers, blow, and shipping charges.
Its like the indictments never happened.
Oh wait - they never DID happen lol.

Anyway, can we talk about peepee and Betsy and Simeoni next?
SSDD SSDD SSDD warms the soul.
WonderBoy becomes WonderMan and someday WonderGramps.
25 Wondrous years and counting.

 

[Polish]

RaceRadio is so well-informed, he can't possibly have anything but a bias. But of all the people who provide information, he has been more correct than anyone I have known in my 10+ years of being interested in the topic. His predictions come true. He is far from ignorant.

RaceRadio's predictions come true?
Don't mean to put you on the spot - feel free to ignore.
But could you name a few of those predictions?
Curious...

 

[Race Radio]

And which were the publications the public didn't get to see?

Notice that Selena Roberts has left SI as of a couple weeks ago. Not surprising given the lack of backbone shown by her editors.

A year from now there will be many editors kicking themselves for not running with the story when they could. It will be old news by then

 

[Barrus]

I am actually quite interest to learn which media outlets started investigations into Livestrong and what pressure was put on them to stop and when this occurred, mainly because I can't see why this approach would not work against outside magazine. Or that perhaps it has to do with a different view about Armstrong in these magazines as compared to previous years

 

[Polish]

Notice that Selena Roberts has left SI as of a couple weeks ago. Not surprising given the lack of backbone shown by her editors.

A year from now there will be many editors kicking themselves for not running with the story when they could. It will be old news by then

Yes, it will be "old news a year from now". Good prediction.
Except that it is old news already.

I predict Outside Mag will still be banned from Cache Cache in a year.

 

[Velodude]

I am actually quite interest to learn which media outlets started investigations into Livestrong and what pressure was put on them to stop and when this occurred, mainly because I can't see why this approach would not work against outside magazine. Or that perhaps it has to do with a different view about Armstrong in these magazines as compared to previous years

You threaten the cash flow/profits - advertising revenue.

Advertisers on Outside Magazine may be outside of Armstrong's sphere of influence.

In 1999 threats made to advertisers on CyclingNews after a report that suggested LA's overwhelming mountain stage win was on a par with past dopers' performances forced a change of ownership of CyclingNews within 2 months.

 

[Polish]

I am actually quite interest to learn which media outlets started investigations into Livestrong and what pressure was put on them to stop and when this occurred, mainly because I can't see why this approach would not work against outside magazine. Or that perhaps it has to do with a different view about Armstrong in these magazines as compared to previous years

I believe Sports Illustrated was named in Lance's Motion. Do not recall if Outside Mag was named. Don't think so.

 

[thehog]

I believe Sports Illustrated was named in Lance's Motion. Do not recall if Outside Mag was named. Don't think so.

Some of you have some pretty serious things to say--I just want to know if you believe everything you read because obviously you can't believe what you see.

Here are some LA FACTS okay:

Lance's marriage was a mutual parting of ways...They are very close friends now and joining together in raising their children (period) not that its anyone’s business.

Lance didn't treat Sheryl Crow "anyway" He broke off the engagement BEFORE she was diagnosed with cancer - relationships sometimes end...good thing they never made it to marriage!

Lance has never been found guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs--to those who like to condemn people who are innocent!!! Unless this changes (which it won't) then he is CLEAN. Just like in any court of law--period.

Help me to understand the hate toward him or anyone...most importantly someone you don't know, someone who has contributed so much to his community and the cancer community as a whole.

All of you are pretty pathetic is all I have to say. Lance Armstrong is an amazing athlete and person who does a lot of good...I ask, what community charity have any of you worked for lately.

 

[Cobblestoned]

Looks like Pharmstrong "stayed classy" by pressuring VN to make some big changes.

Really ?
Where can I read that ?

 

[HL2037]

Some of you have some pretty serious things to say--I just want to know if you believe everything you read because obviously you can't believe what you see.

Here are some LA FACTS okay:

Lance's marriage was a mutual parting of ways...They are very close friends now and joining together in raising their children (period) not that its anyone’s business.

Lance didn't treat Sheryl Crow "anyway" He broke off the engagement BEFORE she was diagnosed with cancer - relationships sometimes end...good thing they never made it to marriage!

Lance has never been found guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs--to those who like to condemn people who are innocent!!! Unless this changes (which it won't) then he is CLEAN. Just like in any court of law--period.

Help me to understand the hate toward him or anyone...most importantly someone you don't know, someone who has contributed so much to his community and the cancer community as a whole.

All of you are pretty pathetic is all I have to say. Lance Armstrong is an amazing athlete and person who does a lot of good...I ask, what community charity have any of you worked for lately.

He he. You can't really argue with "Period."

 

[thehog]

He he. You can't really argue with "Period."

Some of you guys need to jump over to Outside: http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoo...nce-armstrong/Its-Not-About-the-Lab-Rats.html

as the Livestrong brigade has taken over the comments section!

 

[HL2037]

Some of you guys need to jump over to Outside: http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoo...nce-armstrong/Its-Not-About-the-Lab-Rats.html

as the Livestrong brigade has taken over the comments section!

Shouldn't we just let them go through their phases of grief. The dam is breaking anyway.

 

[thehog]

Shouldn't we just let them go through their phases of grief. The dam is breaking anyway.

When I saw that Skippy had posted I thought best to say something!