Landis threatened?

[VeloCity]

fact is: NO ONE WANTS TO SEE PLOW HORSES go up mountains. Watching doped riders fly up them gives us something to watch.........it's fascinating to see what a doped up human body can achieve compared to us mere mortal non dopers

Really? I remember watching cycling in the 80s, when guys were weaving up the climb and near dead at the top, and one never knew who was going to crack and/or when. I also remember it being a hell of a lot more interesting to watch than the robots of the past 20 years zipping up a climb with no sign of ever cracking and then chatting on their cell phones after the stage.

Cycling in the age of EPO etc has been boring as hell.

 

[CPAvelo]

i have the same thing going with cancer, i'd never have known about it if i hadn't had lance telling me to give money to him for some cheap yellow armband. thank fúck for cancer awareness.

And I hadn't found the Discovery Channel, or knew the difference between Radio Shack or the Love Shack, and knew nothing about that little company with the swoosh. I have so much to thank Lance for. Too bad, he doesn't have balls anymore.

 

[Hugh Januss]

lol............. I hear you..........

fact is: NO ONE WANTS TO SEE PLOW HORSES go up mountains. Watching doped riders fly up them gives us something to watch.........it's fascinating to see what a doped up human body can achieve compared to us mere mortal non dopers

Yeah, thank god for doping. Moron!

 

[El Oso]

And I hadn't found the Discovery Channel, or knew the difference between Radio Shack or the Love Shack, and knew nothing about that little company with the swoosh. I have so much to thank Lance for. Too bad, he doesn't have balls anymore.

Actually some people might not have known Radio Shack was still in business. This says it all: http://www.theonion.com/articles/even-ceo-cant-figure-out-how-radioshack-still-in-b,2190/

 

[thehog]

My point is that Fraud is TAKING millions and millions of dollars from people.
Lance GENERATED millions and millions of dollars for people.
Lance increased Global GDP in his own small way.

Did Lance hurt the USPS by winning the Tour de France?
Of course not - Lance helped the USPS by winning.
The USPS was hoping Lance would win. USPS paid Lance to win.

You know nothing.

I rest my case.

The US Postal Service (USPS) is reported by Advertising Age to be "poised to abandon its lead sponsorship of Lance Armstrong and the U.S. Pro Cycling Team" when their contract expires in December. The Postal Service began the estimated $10 million-a-year marketing initiative in 1996 and Armstrong has since led the international cycling team to five consecutive Tour de France victories.

According to a February 2003 USPS Inspector General (OIG) report, the objective of the sponsorship was to "increase revenue and sales of Postal Service's products on a global basis and to increase sales in key international markets" with a specific monetary goal of increasing [annual international] revenue by $20 million. However, despite the cycling team's outstanding performance and extremely high profile, revenues from USPS international operations in 2003 were actually $12.8 million less than four- years earlier in 1999.
Calling USPS's decision a "major victory for consumers," PostalWatch executive director Rick Merritt stated in a press release, "Talk about a government boondoggle, the pro-cycling sponsorship exemplifies just how delusional postal leadership can be. They raised domestic monopoly rates three times while forcing captive ratepayers to pay more than $50 million to sponsor a European sporting event and then, adding insult to injury, they achieved a negative result."

Link: http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/consumer/a/uspslance.htm

 

[janus1969]

Sigh...

There are an amazing amount of armchair lawyers here, apparently FAR more knowledgeable than the general public. I wonder, were we to take an accurate poll of the readership, would we find that there is a larger contingent of lawyers here than in the general population?

Even more odd, apparently some of these folks have litigated slander/libel in a variety of countries. One wonders who these folks have as clients?

I cannot speak as a lawyer, nor can I speak as a multi-national lawyer. I can only tell you what happens in the technology industry when copyrights are violated, having been involved in those several times. The very first thing EVERY lawyer with whom I've associated requires is a cease and desist letter. Over 100 cases and every one required, as the initial action, a cease and desist letter.

Now, granted, I am no more a lawyer than the vast majority here, but I can cluelessly extrapolate with the best of the readership herein. I would suggest, unless Swiss and other jurisdictions are HIGHLY different than those with which I've associated, that a cease and desist letter is very likely the FIRST step in any legal remedy. In fact, I'm QUITE sure that the first thing a judge will ask in any legal proceeding is whether the petitioner ever notified the defendant of the injury.

But then again, INAL, either...

 

[scribe]

You know nothing.

I rest my case.

The US Postal Service (USPS) is reported by Advertising Age to be "poised to abandon its lead sponsorship of Lance Armstrong and the U.S. Pro Cycling Team" when their contract expires in December. The Postal Service began the estimated $10 million-a-year marketing initiative in 1996 and Armstrong has since led the international cycling team to five consecutive Tour de France victories.

According to a February 2003 USPS Inspector General (OIG) report, the objective of the sponsorship was to "increase revenue and sales of Postal Service's products on a global basis and to increase sales in key international markets" with a specific monetary goal of increasing [annual international] revenue by $20 million. However, despite the cycling team's outstanding performance and extremely high profile, revenues from USPS international operations in 2003 were actually $12.8 million less than four- years earlier in 1999.
Calling USPS's decision a "major victory for consumers," PostalWatch executive director Rick Merritt stated in a press release, "Talk about a government boondoggle, the pro-cycling sponsorship exemplifies just how delusional postal leadership can be. They raised domestic monopoly rates three times while forcing captive ratepayers to pay more than $50 million to sponsor a European sporting event and then, adding insult to injury, they achieved a negative result."

In case we are confused, sponsorship in cycling is ALWAYS a great thing and spin that cycling is bad for a sponsor is mind-numbingly pointless for a cycling forum.

USPS has been losing shares of the market against private competitors for a long time running. To demonstrate losses over a period of time isn't much proof of anything. One could argue that cycling did, and still does have a positive impact for the postal service, as we still get a barrage of images from those postal years..... Well, before Landis had his say recently anyway.

 

[Race Radio]

There are an amazing amount of armchair lawyers here, apparently FAR more knowledgeable than the general public. I wonder, were we to take an accurate poll of the readership, would we find that there is a larger contingent of lawyers here than in the general population?

Even more odd, apparently some of these folks have litigated slander/libel in a variety of countries. One wonders who these folks have as clients?

I cannot speak as a lawyer, nor can I speak as a multi-national lawyer. I can only tell you what happens in the technology industry when copyrights are violated, having been involved in those several times. The very first thing EVERY lawyer with whom I've associated requires is a cease and desist letter. Over 100 cases and every one required, as the initial action, a cease and desist letter.

Now, granted, I am no more a lawyer than the vast majority here, but I can cluelessly extrapolate with the best of the readership herein. I would suggest, unless Swiss and other jurisdictions are HIGHLY different than those with which I've associated, that a cease and desist letter is very likely the FIRST step in any legal remedy. In fact, I'm QUITE sure that the first thing a judge will ask in any legal proceeding is whether the petitioner ever notified the defendant of the injury.

But then again, INAL, either...

Did all those also require an email telling the person he is a POS, he never should have won anything, and cycling would be better off without him? Are the cease and desists usually followed up with threats?

 

[MacRoadie]

In case we are confused, sponsorship in cycling is ALWAYS a great thing and spin that cycling is bad for a sponsor is mind-numbingly pointless for a cycling forum.

Apparently, we can add the USPS OIG to the list of the confused.

It seems that while sponsorship in cycling may be great for cycling, it may not be so good for the sponsor.

By the way, how can a direct quote, from the sponsor's very own Inspector General stating that the sponsorship was bad, be remotely perceived as spin?

 

[janus1969]

Did all those also require an email telling the person he is a POS, he never should have won anything, and cycling would be better off without him? Are the cease and desists usually followed up with threats?

Good on ya m8! Throw the red herring in...the discussion to which I was referring was the large amount of legal "knowledge" extolled here. Moreover, I'm fairly certain if you try to paint me as some sort of LA apologist, you'll fail, but feel free to start the mudslinging that seems to accompany any contrarian viewpoint here.

My point was simple...a cease and desist letter is, in my experience, a necessary and normal first step in a legal procedure. Nothing more; nothing less.

 

[SpeedWay]

So I take it the David Walsh report that Kristen is cooperating is not really true? I missed something here.

You didn't miss anything. Around here stuff is just thrown against the wall. If it sticks it is considered fact. It's more entertaining that way.

 

[python]

Good on ya m8! Throw the red herring in...the discussion to which I was referring was the large amount of legal "knowledge" extolled here. Moreover, I'm fairly certain if you try to paint me as some sort of LA apologist, you'll fail, but feel free to start the mudslinging that seems to accompany any contrarian viewpoint here.

My point was simple...a cease and desist letter is, in my experience, a necessary and normal first step in a legal procedure. Nothing more; nothing less.

that's right it is the first but nothing indicates it's not the last.

what you are missing is -

one party to this mess - texas - is madly trying to avoid ANY legal proceedings/trials because it will end the myth

...and the other party (flandis/lemond) had basically asked texas, please sue us if you don't like what we said.

there is no need to be an arm chair lawyer to miss that verbruggen's ego/defensiveness is working against armstrong's calculations but along flandis' thoughts.

it's a war, pal.

cheers.

 

[scribe]

Apparently, we can add the USPS OIG to the list of the confused.

It seems that while sponsorship in cycling may be great for cycling, it may not be so good for the sponsor.

By the way, how can a direct quote, from the sponsor's very own Inspector General stating that the sponsorship was bad, be remotely perceived as spin?

What? Someone in the political arena spinning? or someone using it in a cycling forum to prove some dumb point as spinning?

Sry for all the rhetorical questions!

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

Yeah, thank god for doping. Moron!

roflmao...............sarcasm

 

[MacRoadie]

What? Someone in the political arena spinning?

Office of Inspector General, USPS

The USPS OIG is an independent entity with a multi-faceted mission that includes investigative deterrence and detection of fraud, abuse, misconduct. Its audits evaluate and analyze the systems and processes for moving the mail, marketing, retailing postal products, investing in infrastructure, reporting financial data, and maximizing information technology. Finally, it has oversight responsibility for all activities of the Postal Inspection Service.

The Postal Inspection Service is responsible for all security issues and the investigation of external crimes such as robbery and burglary, as well as mail theft allegations coming from the public. Security responsibility includes workplace violence threats and incidents, dangerous mail threats, and non-IT security sabotage investigations involving both employees and non-employees.

Quite the definition of a politician. Maybe these guys will be interested in the Novitzky investigation

 

[Race Radio]

Good on ya m8! Throw the red herring in...the discussion to which I was referring was the large amount of legal "knowledge" extolled here. Moreover, I'm fairly certain if you try to paint me as some sort of LA apologist, you'll fail, but feel free to start the mudslinging that seems to accompany any contrarian viewpoint here.

My point was simple...a cease and desist letter is, in my experience, a necessary and normal first step in a legal procedure. Nothing more; nothing less.

Not trying to paint you as anything. Just wanted to point out that the communication between Landis and various people at the UCI has been much more then a cease and desist. It has been a feeble attempt at intimidation......normal practice for the UCI.

 

[El Oso]

Good on ya m8! Throw the red herring in...the discussion to which I was referring was the large amount of legal "knowledge" extolled here. Moreover, I'm fairly certain if you try to paint me as some sort of LA apologist, you'll fail, but feel free to start the mudslinging that seems to accompany any contrarian viewpoint here.

My point was simple...a cease and desist letter is, in my experience, a necessary and normal first step in a legal procedure. Nothing more; nothing less.

A cease and desist letter will not necessarily do anything, it's just a request that he shut up. They'll have to sue him and get an injunction to legally prevent him from speaking. However, as has been stated, the issue would arise that truth is a defense to a defamation action. Not to mention that Flandis could and would request an accounting of UCI financial records to see if any "donations" had been made, not to mention any correspondence between the UCI and LA, JB, Tailwind, etc.

 

[Oldman]

Exactly

Cooperation does not mean she will spill

however isn't she a nurse by trade?

No, she was a PR person and helped represent LA. This is where a Grand Jury would need to agree to sealed testimony for her to do anything other than plead the 5th amendment. Not that she would be guilty of criminal behavior unless she knowingly helped purchase or transport controlled substances or hide that activity. No, as she actively worked on his behalf as a partner and spouse, shared in the financial benefit (probably got a nice chunk of change via divorce settlement) and probably has substantial assets of her own; she'd be a civil target for civil fraud. The burden of proof to successfully sue in a civil case is not as tough as a criminal case and, in any event; she'd rack up legal bills. An attorney with a Grand Jury will squeeze the facts out of folks by causing them to spend money. Nothing makes a rich person cooperative like the threat of being poor.

 

[ellenbrook2001]

Landis such a loser

MR LANDIS act has a child and a loser he did give a such bad name too the sport he try too destroy cycling then too descriminated hes same country men AMSTRONG UHUHUHUHUHUH what a loser that LANDIS if i was him i would be be very very worrry about hes safety i am sure the guy dont slepp well he need mental help i did see him in personne when he did win the tour de tour de france one day he collapse the next day he was flying ???????????

 

[scribe]

MR LANDIS act has a child and a loser he did give a such bad name too the sport he try too destroy cycling then too descriminated hes same country men AMSTRONG UHUHUHUHUHUH what a loser that LANDIS if i was him i would be be very very worrry about hes safety i am sure the guy dont slepp well he need mental help i did see him in personne when he did win the tour de tour de france one day he collapse the next day he was flying ???????????

lol! July has come early this forum season!!

 

[scribe]

A cease and desist letter will not necessarily do anything, it's just a request that he shut up. They'll have to sue him and get an injunction to legally prevent him from speaking. However, as has been stated, the issue would arise that truth is a defense to a defamation action. Not to mention that Flandis could and would request an accounting of UCI financial records to see if any "donations" had been made, not to mention any correspondence between the UCI and LA, JB, Tailwind, etc.

The truth is also the motivation for the offense. You can't shoot around yelling the theater is on fire just because you heard someone else say it. You better have some fire on hand to back it up, should someone become injured as a result of your alarm.

 

[Oldman]

lol! July has come early this forum season!!

You gotta know this is a joke. People were getting too serious here anyway.

 

[thehog]

In case we are confused, sponsorship in cycling is ALWAYS a great thing and spin that cycling is bad for a sponsor is mind-numbingly pointless for a cycling forum.

USPS has been losing shares of the market against private competitors for a long time running. To demonstrate losses over a period of time isn't much proof of anything. One could argue that cycling did, and still does have a positive impact for the postal service, as we still get a barrage of images from those postal years..... Well, before Landis had his say recently anyway.

You're kidding me. Did you read the report? Everything was hunky dory at USPS until the sponsorship kicked in. They lost 20mill in the Armstrong winning years. That really says something.

USPS is not NIKE. Having the brand punched out there doesn't make kids want to post letters. Armstrong took them for all he could and won. USPS was left with nothing. Armstrong promoted his own brands more than USPS.

Sad state of affairs. The same will happen to Radioshack. Once their gone after this year there will be no brand left. Well maybe the company that make numbers plates in the jails will want to sponsor him.

 

[Colm.Murphy]

From what it looks like the sponsorship of the LA/Tailwind crew coincided with their erosion in business, losing market share to the DHL/UPS/FedEx trio.

Perhaps they were hedging against a lesser drop, and who knows how much further the erosion would have been absent a USPS cycling team and LA winning the Tour.

Truth is, none of it really matters as it relates to, or negates, the defrauding of the USPS.

 

[Cal_Joe]

There are an amazing amount of armchair lawyers here, apparently FAR more knowledgeable than the general public. I wonder, were we to take an accurate poll of the readership, would we find that there is a larger contingent of lawyers here than in the general population?

Even more odd, apparently some of these folks have litigated slander/libel in a variety of countries. One wonders who these folks have as clients?

I cannot speak as a lawyer, nor can I speak as a multi-national lawyer. I can only tell you what happens in the technology industry when copyrights are violated, having been involved in those several times. The very first thing EVERY lawyer with whom I've associated requires is a cease and desist letter. Over 100 cases and every one required, as the initial action, a cease and desist letter.

Now, granted, I am no more a lawyer than the vast majority here, but I can cluelessly extrapolate with the best of the readership herein. I would suggest, unless Swiss and other jurisdictions are HIGHLY different than those with which I've associated, that a cease and desist letter is very likely the FIRST step in any legal remedy. In fact, I'm QUITE sure that the first thing a judge will ask in any legal proceeding is whether the petitioner ever notified the defendant of the injury.

But then again, INAL, either...

+1. In the US a cease and desist letter is standard operating procedure and is rarely confused with a cease and desist order (as has been done in this thread), and from a legal standpoint can not be considered a "threat" as the OP has stated.

However, this entire thread is based upon a letter no one has seen, including myself.