Political influence to protect dopers

[Bratam]

Feel free to follow me on twitter, I do not see the value of posting here any more

https://twitter.com/TheRaceRadio

Keep up the great work RR. You are extremely valuable to this forum. I am now going to follow your twitter page as well.

 

[Anonymous]

RaceRadio engaging California State Senator Rubio on Twitter.

https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/TheRaceRadio

Dude is a force. I can only imagine the WTF? look on Lance's face.

 

[reginagold]

If Livestrong money was used to lobby the local Californian politicians, Livestrong's non-profit status is seriously at risk. Rule one about non-profit status. But when your house is on fire, I guess you'll risk everything.

 

[D-Queued]

Just a guess:

This letter would have had maximum PR effect if it came out before the decision by Judge Sparks.

Thus, the guess would be that The Evil Empire wanted this to be released then, but that the Sparks decision process moved faster than the letter signing process.

Floyd arguably had more congressional support, and certainly more signed photos with Congressional representatives, during his call your congressman campaign.*

Dave.

*It must really bother Lance to know Floyd beat him ...

 

[DirtyWorks]

If Livestrong money was used to lobby the local Californian politicians, Livestrong's non-profit status is seriously at risk. Rule one about non-profit status. But when your house is on fire, I guess you'll risk everything.

You don't understand how it works. As long as there is some mention of the foundation's mission, they are compliant with the law. For example, 90% of the time with staffers/congress critter is about USADA, the other 10% a little mention of something specific to their cause.

 

[zigmeister]

If Livestrong money was used to lobby the local Californian politicians, Livestrong's non-profit status is seriously at risk. Rule one about non-profit status. But when your house is on fire, I guess you'll risk everything.

Rule #1? Do you even work for a non-profit that has any political issues they deal with?

I do, let me tell you, the politics are rampant. As long as it is all for the goal of the mission and purpose of your non-profit organization, it is fair game.

In fact, we are part of a consortium that has a lobbyist working for us to lookout for and deal with state legislature issues.

 

[DirtyWorks]

It concerns me that these politicians are apparently Liberal.

You must not follow American politics very much then. Most of it is solidly right-leaning, centrally controlled, moderate these days with almost nothing differentiating the Dems from the Repubs. If you are someone trying to get the legislature to pass something friendly to your world view, there is no effective party boundary.

There are a few outliers that can't get much done on either side, but for all intent and purpose, it's one big pool of politicians looking for the money to stay in office.

 

[D-Queued]

RaceRadio engaging California State Senator Rubio on Twitter.

https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/TheRaceRadio

Dude is a force. I can only imagine the WTF? look on Lance's face.

Here are some extracts (and please come back RR!!!):

Race Radio @TheRaceRadio 22h
@michaelrubio @LIVESTRONG Good to hear. If you would like to understand more about USADA send a DM. Fair you get both sides

Race Radio @TheRaceRadio 23h
@michaelrubio Did anyone from @LIVESTRONG contact you on this? Should a non-profit be spending their time obstructing USADA?

Race Radio @TheRaceRadio 23h
@michaelrubio What does that have to do with USADA?There is overwhelming evidence of guilt, ample due process. Why try to obstruct justice?

Race Radio @TheRaceRadio 24h
How nice of @LIVESTRONG to use their California political connections to obstruct USADA. If this concerns you feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.c…

...
Race Radio @TheRaceRadio 1d
@lancearmstrong said he wasn't going to fight USADA, this was lie. He is aggressively fighting this via back channel politics.

Race Radio @TheRaceRadio 1d
@michaelrubio Must not have heard that Fed Judge Sparks already ruled USADA gave ample due process to Disgraced Cyclist Lance Armstrong

Race Radio @TheRaceRadio 1d
State Reps should send letters to @SenFeinstein & @SenatorBoxer asking what help they gave @lancearmstrong to get criminal case dropped

...
Race Radio @TheRaceRadio 1d
Disgraced Cyclist @lancearmstrong tries to use his political connections to cut USADA funding sd16.senate.ca.gov/sites/sd16.sen… He sounds bitter

Dave.

 

[70kmph]

In a letter to United States Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, both Democrats, the state senators “respectfully request that (Feinstein and Boxer) call upon (that office) and the appropriate oversight committees of the United States Congress to develop appropriate constitutional protections and conduct a comprehensive review of USADA’s operations and finances, with special attention to USADA’s unilateral changes in rules for dealing with athletes who have never failed a drug test.”

To that, USADA says no problem.

“We look forward to answering any question these state representatives have about the congressionally mandated process that was approved by athletes, the United States Olympic Committee and all U.S. sport federations,” Tygart said.

The statement from USADA also points out that the system has been used in more than 400 cases, 20 percent of which have not seen positive tests. It also notes that a federal judge rejected Armstrong’s complaints and confirmed that the USADA process “provides full Constitutional due process to all athletes accused of doping violations.”



http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...to-questions-concerning-its-procedures_237658

 

[Page Mill Masochist]

To that, USADA says no problem.

“We look forward to answering any question these state representatives have about the congressionally mandated process that was approved by athletes, the United States Olympic Committee and all U.S. sport federations,” Tygart said.

The statement from USADA also points out that the system has been used in more than 400 cases, 20 percent of which have not seen positive tests. It also notes that a federal judge rejected Armstrong’s complaints and confirmed that the USADA process “provides full Constitutional due process to all athletes accused of doping violations.”


http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...to-questions-concerning-its-procedures_237658

Love how Tygart responds so quickly. He's not making Novitzky's PR mistakes.

 

[reginagold]

There are limits on the amount of lobbying that can be done by non-profits. For something that is essentially a lobbying organization like LAF, all it takes is a willing supervisor at the IRS. I recall they did get "inspected" a few years back.

Yes, I've been at Congressional hearings supporting my then non-profit clients. Point is, just like in doping, there's a point beyond which you will get noticed.


http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Measuring-Lobbying:--Substantial-Part-Test

 

[reginagold]

On political influence and all, at p. 54 of attached is self description of LAF's purposes. Nothing I see about defunding any agency that has brought doping case against LAF's Chairman. Though maybe that will be in the same form when filed for 2012.

http://www.livestrong.org/pdfs/4-0/LAF-2010-Form-990

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Tygart definitely knows the game LA and his team likes the play, and he doesn't miss a beat. The guy kicks serious ass.

For idiot politicians to try and put the genie back in the bottle just shows their on-going inability to accurately read the tea leaves.

...For all intent and purpose, it's one big pool of politicians looking for the money to stay in office.

This.

This is why this ploy by Armstrong won't get far. These politicians think of their survival above all else. Most are likely remembering past news and heard Armstrong's "no evidence" "witch hunt" quotes. As soon as they get a look at the bigger picture and realize how much of a hole Armstrong is in (and what an a-hole is), he will be radioactive to them and their primary goal of getting re-elected. They'll scatter like ants.

 

[Boeing]

Hey LL - what's your deal? That was just a bizarre series of comments...

fan girl trying to be objective?

 

[DomesticDomestique]

*applause* Well done sir.

Thanks.

think again ....

You think I'm not male? Interesting.

You, sir, are the definition of articulate. The tone of the letter was perfectly informational without a hint of condescension, arrogance or alarmism.

Chapeau.

Not all pros had to leave school before 16 I take it?

I'd write one too but think the US senators care little for Aussie sentiment.

Thanks for the compliment. Check your PMs as opposed to derailing thread.

 

[Deagol]

USADA still keeping calm & stable
http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...to-questions-concerning-its-procedures_237658

 

[summerhill]

Courtesy of RR tweets:

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/25/local/la-me-us-attorney25-2009dec25

"Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who recommended Birotte"

 

[the big ring]

I just read that article tweeted by RR and realised, for the first time ever, that Birotte is the DA for Southern California.

The state where 23 numpties are dissing USADA.

Looks like a rotten state to me!?

They're good at spin, too:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who recommended Birotte, praised him for having the support of both the police officers he is charged with investigating as inspector general and the various community groups who turn to his office with complaints regarding alleged police abuses.

"This ability to command respect from all sides bodes well for his nomination," Feinstein said in a press release.

That's like saying the police love IA, isn't it? el oh el.

 

[the big ring]

I posted this elsewhere but will repost coz it's the thread:

both Feinstein and the other US senator addressed in the letter are old (72 & 79) enough to be Lance's mum.

 

[Anonymous]

I just read that article tweeted by RR and realised, for the first time ever, that Birotte is the DA for Southern California.

The state where 23 numpties are dissing USADA.

Looks like a rotten state to me!?

They're good at spin, too:


That's like saying the police love IA, isn't it? el oh el.

There's even more to it.

Lanny Breuer, Eric Holder and their connection to Covington & Burling, Diane Feinstein's recommendation of Andre Birotte, the appearance of a quid pro-quo donation to Planned Parenthood from Livestrong (to the delight od Senators Boxer and Feinstein). On and on...

Yeah, Cali is as corrupt as it gets.

 

[the big ring]

There's even more to it.

Lanny Breuer, Eric Holder and their connection to Covington & Burling, Diane Feinstein's recommendation of Andre Birotte, the appearance of a quid pro-quo donation to Planned Parenthood from Livestrong (to the delight od Senators Boxer and Feinstein). On and on...

Yeah, Cali is as corrupt as it gets.

Sounds like there's enough info there for another dimspace style poster?

 

[TheMight]

Love how Tygart responds so quickly. He's not making Novitzky's PR mistakes.

The drum beat is getting louder.

It's all going to come out pretty soon now. USADA is going to come out looking like they played it to perfection.

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like there's enough info there for another dimspace style poster?

RaceRadio knows this stuff much better than I do. He can connect the dots...

<blowing into mic>, hey CN, is this thing on??....

 

[the big ring]

Ahhh America.

 

[GotDropped]

Feel free to follow me on twitter, I do not see the value of posting here any more

https://twitter.com/TheRaceRadio

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