Official Lance Armstrong Thread **READ POST #1 BEFORE POSTING**

[Race Radio]

While there is clearly an effort to disrupt any discussion of Wonderboy, his doping, or the case, I doubt anyone here is getting paid. The talking points are too easily exposed by the informed group that is here. Disruption is their only option

The comments sections of major publications are another story. Within seconds of a story appearing the comments are flooded with the same talking points. It is not a coincidence and is an increasingly common tactic used by many companies, political campaigns and public figures......it is no wonder that several Livestrong board members have invested in companies that specialize in this type of astroturfing.

 

[thehog]

that would almost be as ridiculous as lying to people who donate to your cancer charity about fighting cancer with their donations

......and then use those donations to fly around the world in a Lear jet. That would be ridiculous

 

[Benotti69]

While there is clearly an effort to disrupt any discussion of Wonderboy, his doping, or the case, I doubt anyone here is getting paid. The talking points are too easily exposed by the informed group that is here. Disruption is their only option

The comments sections of major publications are another story. Within seconds of a story appearing the comments are flooded with the same talking points. It is not a coincidence and is an increasingly common tactic used by many companies, political campaigns and public figures......it is no wonder that several Livestrong board members have invested in companies that specialize in this type of astroturfing.

astroturfing, what's that a buzz word for professional lying?

Can you imagine that being your job? a person who sits at a computer all day spewing lies all day all over the internet? Imagine doing it and not getting paid!

 

[Race Radio]

astroturfing, what's that a buzz word for professional lying?

Can you imagine that being your job? a person who sits at a computer all day spewing lies all day all over the internet? Imagine doing it and not getting paid!

Aastroturfing is the trade word for a fake "Grassroots" movement. The goal is to make it look like there are legions of people who believe there is a "Witch Hunt" when it really is a couple of interns posting in the comments sections. Paying people to write misinformation is a sign of desperation.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Well at least somebody is.

I thought awhile back the mods were planning to shut down any accusations of getting paid to post. I see it has crept back into the forum, instigated by our favorite "this doper is my favorite rider because I like his pedalling style" poster.

I thought you was getting paid? I figured that LA had gotten to you the last time you went out to YellowRose?

 

[Oldman]

......and then use those donations to fly around the world in a Lear jet. That would be ridiculous

It would be when you've got a perfectly *****in' Big Baller G5 at your disposal. Get your facts straight.

 

[Berzin]

I thought awhile back the mods were planning to shut down any accusations of getting paid to post. I see it has crept back into the forum, instigated by our favorite "this doper is my favorite rider because I like his pedalling style" poster.

The fact that you even remember a detail like this just goes to prove how obsessive some of you get-over what and why I don't know and quite frankly don't want to.

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

astroturfing, what's that a buzz word for professional lying?

Can you imagine that being your job? a person who sits at a computer all day spewing lies all day all over the internet? Imagine doing it and not getting paid!

Astroturfing as race radio says is the name given to a synthetic grassroots movement (as astroturf is fake grass). It dates back to the 1980s, when it was noted that there were 'grassroots' movements springing up.

Where as a grassroots movement is normally organized from below, (ie concerned citizens), an astroturf organization will be organized from above, although it will deny this and continue to attempt to present itself as being organized from below. The classic example is the Tea Party in the US.

It's common for a lot of political organizations to set up these kind of front groups - they will bombard internet message boards - and try to create the impression that a lot of people hold the same opinion.

In the UK the Tory Party is known to employ astroturfers to post on message boards. As I said the Tea Party is also an astroturf movement.

Now depending upon how sophisticated and rich the astroturf movement is, some have been known to use software to essentially create profiles and 'autopost', in other cases, a single human user will create multiple profiles and then post the same lines but looking as if they all agree.

The basic idea is to distort public opinion by 'flooding' places where discussion takes place with a specific message. It's most common on mainstream media sites etc

It's pure chicanery.

 

[Benotti69]

Astroturfing as race radio says is the name given to a synthetic grassroots movement (as astroturf is fake grass). It dates back to the 1980s, when it was noted that there were 'grassroots' movements springing up.

Where as a grassroots movement is normally organized from below, (ie concerned citizens), an astroturf organization will be organized from above, although it will deny this and continue to attempt to present itself as being organized from below. The classic example is the Tea Party in the US.

It's common for a lot of political organizations to set up these kind of front groups - they will bombard internet message boards - and try to create the impression that a lot of people hold the same opinion.

In the UK the Tory Party is known to employ astroturfers to post on message boards. As I said the Tea Party is also an astroturf movement.

Now depending upon how sophisticated and rich the astroturf movement is, some have been known to use software to essentially create profiles and 'autopost', in other cases, a single human user will create multiple profiles and then post the same lines but looking as if they all agree.

The basic idea is to distort public opinion by 'flooding' places where discussion takes place with a specific message. It's most common on mainstream media sites etc

It's pure chicanery.

Chicanery is too nice a term for it IMO

 

[ChrisE]

While there is clearly an effort to disrupt any discussion of Wonderboy, his doping, or the case, I doubt anyone here is getting paid. The talking points are too easily exposed by the informed group that is here. Disruption is their only option

The comments sections of major publications are another story. Within seconds of a story appearing the comments are flooded with the same talking points. It is not a coincidence and is an increasingly common tactic used by many companies, political campaigns and public figures......it is no wonder that several Livestrong board members have invested in companies that specialize in this type of astroturfing.

Cool, nobody here is getting paid. Alert your buddy Berzin.

Publicaton comment sections, huh? I've never tried those. Will I get paid if I go on one and say LA doped, but those obsessed with his downfall need some counselling and medication?

 

[thehog]

You can't blame Lance. I actually feel sorry for him. He's fighting an invisible giant and he still doesn't know the exact nature of the investigation. I think he was trying to start getting some of this out in the open so he could begin the program of discrediting. Although after Facts4Lance I'm not sure what that would do - he just makes him look more and more guilty. The biggest problem he's got is he is in fact guilty and his biggest draw card was that he was clean. It's not a pretty situation for him. Again kudos to Floyd. He really farked over Lance. I'd say checkmate.

Actually, I would be interested in any summaries of case law supporting or discrediting Munson's assertions. Also, I think it would be best if that discussion were carried out in the existing legal thread found here -

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=9234

The reason I am suggesting that thread is that there are some ground rules (that have been heavily enforced) that will make for a better discussion - see



Any takers?

 

[Martin318is]

############NOTE############

several warnings have just been given out behind the scenes in this thread.

All personal attacks need to stop - now.


###########################

 

[alanshearer]

So what happened to the "Lance Armstrong" dickipedia entry? Used to be there. Now it's gone.

 

[Deagol]

......
The comments sections of major publications are another story. Within seconds of a story appearing the comments are flooded with the same talking points. It is not a coincidence and is an increasingly common tactic used by many companies, political campaigns and public figures............

Big Tobacco does this.
It just happened a week or two ago in relation to hearings on some new products they are test-marketing here.

 

[Polish]

So what happened to the "Lance Armstrong" dickipedia entry? Used to be there. Now it's gone.

Have you checked turdipedia?
Might be over there. Worth a shot.

 

[Anonymous]

is fatty switching allegiances?
http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/08/31/why-radioshack-is-now-my-sons-2nd-favorite-team/

 

[JRTinMA]

is fatty switching allegiances?
http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/08/31/why-radioshack-is-now-my-sons-2nd-favorite-team/

Who is he? Its an interesting story but is he relevant or just some blogger?

 

[MacRoadie]

So now, Bottle is heading off to Omega Pharma - Quickstep.

Report: Leipheimer and Martin to Omega Pharma-Quickstep

Wasn't Levi just about the most successful RadioShack rider this year?

27th in World Tour rankings (only Kloeden ranked higher)
1st, Tour de Suisse
1st, Tour of Utah
1st, USA Pro Cycling Challenge
2nd, Tour of California
8th, Paris-Nice

And now he's left to find a new contract with Omega Pharma - Quickstep.

Nope, no problem with Lance that I can see. Couldn't be that nonexistent GJ testimony.

Naw.

 

[Trailzz]

might be as simple as the result of Radioshack and Leopard potentially merging. too many contracts and diminished role for Levi....if true

 

[Microchip]

is fatty switching allegiances?
http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/08/31/why-radioshack-is-now-my-sons-2nd-favorite-team/

The article is written by a guest writer.

 

[Benotti69]

The article is written by a guest writer.

Guest live$trong writer

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

is fatty switching allegiances?
http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/08/31/why-radioshack-is-now-my-sons-2nd-favorite-team/

Not a chance. If he switched then he would not get free or discounted bikes from Trek anymore. There is a definite case of a toolbag getting paid off to promote the Lace agenda.

 

[MacRoadie]

might be as simple as the result of Radioshack and Leopard potentially merging. too many contracts and diminished role for Levi....if true

On its face, it (trimming Levi's contract) makes sense (in broad terms, age), but when you look at the respective team rosters, you start wondering how a "merger" would work.

If you dump Levi, and you look at what's left at RadioShack, you're left with Kloeden, Brajkovic and possibly an unproven Busche. After that it's all journeyman and domestiques.

On the Leopard-Trek side of things, you have the Schleks, Cancellara, Bennati, Fuglsang, Gerdemann, Posthuma, and (an admitted old) Jens!!!.

When you look at the comparative rosters, Levi's would be one of only 2 or 3 contracts you might actually want to keep in the new team. You get past levi, and an also aging Kloeden, and Brajkovic and Busche are about the only riders you'd really need (or want).

To be honest, about the only thing Leopard-Trek needs from RadioShack, is RadioShack's money.

 

[Polish]

The Shack could not would not match the juicy $$$$ deal from OPL.
Congratulations Levi.
No wonder he has been so smiley and gracious to the Shack lately.
Levi leaves the Shack with many happy and awesome memories.

 

[MacRoadie]

Having Polish and Cobblestoned on your ignore list is like driving by an accident on the freeway: you don't want to look, but the curiosity and potential spectacle is so strong.

It must be why people used to pay money to visit those old carnival side shows. You know, the ones with bearded ladies, and dog-faced boys.