Political influence to protect dopers

[Briant_Gumble]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sport...strong-cycling-usada-20120908,0,1570532.story

Nice to see this guy single himself out as one of the chief campaigner's for effectively doing away with drug testing in sports.

 

[the big ring]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sport...strong-cycling-usada-20120908,0,1570532.story

Nice to see this guy single himself out as one of the chief campaigner's for effectively doing away with drug testing in sports.

I like the balance of that article. Mentioning the pertinent LAF donations along with the denials of their knowledge.

Mentioning the Sparks decision and Rubios inability to read it and understand what has already happened before launching his "It's not about The Lance" campaign.

For me it shows him up as a complete fraud.

 

[Anonymous]

I like the balance of that article. Mentioning the pertinent LAF donations along with the denials of their knowledge.

Mentioning the Sparks decision and Rubios inability to read it and understand what has already happened before launching his "It's not about The Lance" campaign.

For me it shows him up as a complete fraud.

Just another POS politician. Seems like the world is full of them.

One thing is sure. Rubio does not read much... and if the source of political action is the LA Times then God help us in Cali.

 

[the big ring]

Just another POS politician. Seems like the world is full of them.

One thing is sure. Rubio does not read much... and if the source of political action is the LA Times then God help us in Cali.

Surely there's an argument here that the letter being sent, without spending a tiny teeny bit of time seeing if it has any merit is wasting US senator's time and by extension - US citizen tax dollars.

 

[Anonymous]

Surely there's an argument here that the letter being sent, without spending a tiny teeny bit of time seeing if it has any merit is wasting US senator's time and by extension - US citizen tax dollars.

We'll have to wait and see which pet projects of Rubio's get some funding from Livestrong.

Interesting how Feinstein has not responded. Boxer is a complete idiot, but Feinstein is not. I'm guessing she views Rubio's letter as nonsense. I guess we will see soon enough.

 

[the big ring]

We'll have to wait and see which pet projects of Rubio's get some funding from Livestrong.

Interesting how Feinstein has not responded. Boxer is a complete idiot, but Feinstein is not. I'm guessing she views Rubio's letter as nonsense. I guess we will see soon enough.

The letter being released to the public - is that normal? None of the letters I send to people ever make the news.

Given that the letter has been in the news, and now with a followup "It's not about The Lance" interview, does this place pressure on at least one of those Boxer or Feinstein to respond?

I'm just thinking they are going to look lax if nothing happens. Or is that ok with the upcoming election? The "too busy" defense?

I'm just thinking this letter and moreso its outing in public is forcing the hand of 2 US senators and if they are not keen to support it, it could backfire on Rubio et al.

Personally, unless they KNEW I was a die-hard fanboi, I'd be pretty annoyed with the 23 state senators, and want to slap Rubio in particular.

What's the Rubio - Feinstein relationship like?

I have no clue about US politics.

 

[Anonymous]

The letter being released to the public - is that normal? None of the letters I send to people ever make the news.

Given that the letter has been in the news, and now with a followup "It's not about The Lance" interview, does this place pressure on at least one of those Boxer or Feinstein to respond?

I'm just thinking they are going to look lax if nothing happens. Or is that ok with the upcoming election? The "too busy" defense?

I'm just thinking this letter and moreso its outing in public is forcing the hand of 2 US senators and if they are not keen to support it, it could backfire on Rubio et al.

Personally, unless they KNEW I was a die-hard fanboi, I'd be pretty annoyed with the 23 state senators, and want to slap Rubio in particular.

What's the Rubio - Feinstein relationship like?

I have no clue about US politics.

Pure speculation on my part... I'm guessing Feinstein is going to have surrogates take this guy to the woodshed.

I don't know what their relationship is like... but my read is Feinstein is probably smart enough to know which battles to fight and which to walk away from.

Rubio going public with this was a stupid move, IMO.

 

[workingclasshero]

reading that letter made me slightly sick and also made my blood boil a little.
what's wrong with some people?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Part of the problem is that Boxer and Feinstein are so completely entrenched it would be a miracle to get either of them out of office at this point (I'll let Scott correct me if I'm wrong). They are solid Dems in a blue state, with huge connections inside the system and to outside influence and money. So don't expect bold decisions from them on this issue. The most you're going to get is a subtle acknowledgment to look into the issue - if they think it might help their careers, and not quell their power and privilege, or ignoring the issue entirely for the same reason.

I'll stop there, lest we start moving some of these posts to the politics thread.

 

[Anonymous]

Part of the problem is that Boxer and Feinstein are so completely entrenched it would be a miracle to get either of them out of office at this point (I'll let Scott correct me if I'm wrong). They are solid Dems in a blue state, with huge connections inside the system and to outside influence and money. So don't expect bold decisions from them on this issue. The most you're going to get is a subtle acknowledgment to look into the issue - if they think it might help their careers, and not quell their power and privilege, or ignoring the issue entirely for the same reason.

I'll stop there, lest we start moving some of these posts to the politics thread.

Boxer is not well respected as even most serious Dems in this State think she's an idiot. She had quite a challenge her last election from Carly Fiorina, eventually beating her by 10 points... which is a pretty close election for a Dem in this State.

Feinstein is much more of the consummate, well established, well heeled and I might add, serious, politician. Kind of a female version of John McCain with a D after her name.

Feinstein's not going to do much, if anything, with this... so your analysis is spot on, IMO.

 

[trailrunner]

I moved from southern CA 20 years ago, so other than keeping in touch with my relatives, I'm a little out of touch with the politics there. But in the whole scheme of things, bike racing and doping in sports is small potatoes compared to other things going on. For us it's important, but compared to the other issues facing California and the nation as a whole, it's not. No matter what side of the issue I'm on, I'd be a little annoyed if my representative spent any time on this issue. I would imagine Boxer and Feinstein saying "huh?" when they hear about this, and then thinking "what's in it for me or for the Democrats in the upcoming election?" Since the answer to both questions is "nothing," they won't pursue it.

 

[reginagold]

This isn't really about local California politics. Lance is represented by the, or at least one of the, premier lobbying firms in Washington DC. They do "favors" for politicians all the time. Now and then, they call in a favor due. Elections are saved and lost by their interventions. Plenty of books mention this firm. Luskin is there. Rubio is but a small tool in this big dance.

 

[Bosco10]

On a side-note: Feinstein is going on 80 years-old. Talk about hobbling along well past your retirement age. What a trip. I think this happens with politicians more than other "work" groups. Political perks probably override any urge to retire. Also, I imagine grandma Feinstein is granted special "nap breaks," and makes full use of them.

 

[thehog]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sport...strong-cycling-usada-20120908,0,1570532.story

“This isn’t about Lance Armstrong, just that it ought to be those who have the power to make changes to these rules -- the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Senate -- should review this,” Rubio said.

“We want to clean up sports to the point there’s no doping, but preserve the fundamental rights of citizens,” Rubio said. “This issue boils down to whether amateur athletes should enjoy those fundamental rights. This process can be made better, regardless of where you stand on the Lance Armstrong case.”

USADA Chief Executive Travis Tygart said he’s confident any review would find the scrutiny his agency applies to athletes to ensure clean competition is appropriate.

As of Friday, Rubio said he hadn’t received a response from Feinstein or Boxer.

The way the Armstrong case was handled deserves “sunshine on it,” said Rubio, who added that he is unaware of any of the state senators receiving any political contributions from Armstrong or his foundations.

Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation gave $1.5 million to a California ballot measure in June that aimed to raise the state tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1. The proposal was defeated.

Armstrong enjoyed a prior legal victory in California when the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles decided in February to stop gathering testimony before a grand jury that was hearing evidence about possible federal crimes connected to a doping conspiracy.

Armstrong has long denied he used performance-enhancing methods to win the Tour, pointing to hundreds of clean drug tests as proof.

“There should be more debate and hearings about this, and what could come from it is a better process modeled after the same due process we enjoy as Americans,” Rubio said.

 

[reginagold]

Of course Rubio doesn't know of contributions from Lance or his Foundation. 'Cause that's not how it's done. Lance hired one of the most successful Washington DC lobbying firms for his litigation problem? That firm makes donations and/or has its "friends" make donations or make promises to help in the future. Lance hired the firm late in the process and probably only when, imho, his existing lawyers correctly told him he actually had no claims that would succeed in court. So the ONLY help he could hope to get would be political, either w/in the US system or at the UCI level.

 

[hfer07]

just another trick from LA's lawyers, Associates & those in-between, trying desperately to come up with a solution "behind close doors" as he always prefers....

the problem for LA is that in an Election year, specially two months away & with the months of "transition"(whether BO is reelected or MR takes over) afterwards, there is so little that politicians are willing to do,thus I doubt this possible maneuver could ever see the daylight... then if is the case- USADA is simply called upon to show the evidence, which I doubt LA & his team is willing to have it exposed for public scrutiny....

 

[the big ring]

Would I be right in saying it helps that USADA are not a state actor in the current political (specifically re-election) climate - and hence neither political party is disenfranchising voters with this action against Armstrong?

If it were a government agency, would the current ruling party be held responsible, or have it as a point against them that they were allowing it to continue? (Coz that's the blame game they play in Australia, regardless of who actually started the government agency).

It would seem that the political remedies available to Armstrong are curtailed to an extent, as politicians would be loathe to stick their necks out too far and be focusing on bigger issues - like keeping their seats.

Or does it / would it make no difference?

I'm kinda wondering if perhaps the investigation were happy to drag their feet until closer to election time for this reason.

Or is this too fantastical?

 

[reginagold]

I'd say Lance has always been careful to not align himself publicly with either party - he'll stand next to anybody if the press is taking pics and his face + livestrong show in the result.

Does matter that USADA is independent - the criminal case against Lance was shut down by the political appointee despite numerous reports his staff was set to go ahead with the prosecution after developing all the evidence in the Grand Jury. So USADA's independence from the political process is the only thing that allowed them to move on the evidence.

Armstrong's situation is a non-factor in how anyone will be voting in the upcoming US election. Cycling is always under "other sports" heading on US websites, sad though I am to report that. The reality in the US, and elsewhere, really, is that he's a minor actor in a minor sport. Oh and he has a small foundation that he runs to prop up his own image.

BUT his PR/legal team surely has decided he just needs to keep the appearance of uncertainty present in the media from time to time to support his efforts to probe and test and undermine as circumstances permit until a workable deal can be cobbled together. That is why they need to keep up the drum beat against USADA in a manner that appears to have at least a sliver of merit to the general assignment reporters who are covering this for the first time.

imho, of course.

 

[Bavarianrider]

In the winter of 2007/2008 german media reported about a possible doping scandal within German biathlon. Even a list of the involved athletes was published on the internet.
Only 2 days later the TV stages officialy appolgized, saying they made a big mistake and so on.
What you have to know, it was the ARD the state owned premier TV station of Germany. Most german biathletes are working for the state as soldiers or police officers.
No more explanation needed i guess

 

[eleven]

It is interesting that this was sent to Boxer and Feinstein.

Given the help they gave him on the Federal case you would think they would be distancing themselves from the mess.

One should be required to provide some evidence for such claims.

 

[zigmeister]

just another trick from LA's lawyers, Associates & those in-between, trying desperately to come up with a solution "behind close doors" as he always prefers....

the problem for LA is that in an Election year, specially two months away & with the months of "transition"(whether BO is reelected or MR takes over) afterwards, there is so little that politicians are willing to do,thus I doubt this possible maneuver could ever see the daylight... then if is the case- USADA is simply called upon to show the evidence, which I doubt LA & his team is willing to have it exposed for public scrutiny....

He doesn't gain anything by this except in the public's opinion possibly.

He has already been handed out the punishment by the USADA. It is over for LA and he gave up the fight.

hmmm...livestrong.org is not working anymore...must be a simple web server problem..haha

Next, Lance lives in Texas, don't know if he even has a house in CA or what his ties to CA even are. Livestrong isn't in CA either, based out of Austin, TX...so not real sure what a bunch of yahoos out of CA who can't get out of massive billion dollar debt want to do about this?

 

[LauraLyn]

Would I be right in saying it helps that USADA are not a state actor in the current political (specifically re-election) climate - and hence neither political party is disenfranchising voters with this action against Armstrong?

If it were a government agency, would the current ruling party be held responsible, or have it as a point against them that they were allowing it to continue? (Coz that's the blame game they play in Australia, regardless of who actually started the government agency).

It would seem that the political remedies available to Armstrong are curtailed to an extent, as politicians would be loathe to stick their necks out too far and be focusing on bigger issues - like keeping their seats.

Or does it / would it make no difference?

I'm kinda wondering if perhaps the investigation were happy to drag their feet until closer to election time for this reason.

Or is this too fantastical?

Yeah, good insights. There is little political fodder to be won by either supporting Lance or supporting the USADA in this. The politicians can try to make an "American issue" of it, but not a "party issue."

All in all, it is good that the USADA is an independent agency. Congress did get something right in all its wisdom.

I don't see directly how dragging the investigation out until the elections would help the USADA? They seem unrelated to me. Can you point further?

 

[Benotti69]

Next, Lance lives in Texas, don't know if he even has a house in CA or what his ties to CA even are. Livestrong isn't in CA either, based out of Austin, TX...so not real sure what a bunch of yahoos out of CA who can't get out of massive billion dollar debt want to do about this?

This was Wiesel's doing. If Wonderboy goes down Weisel might get sucked with him.

 

[the big ring]

I don't see directly how dragging the investigation out until the elections would help the USADA? They seem unrelated to me. Can you point further?

If it's not clear from my post, I can't help you any further, darling.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Fine. But the conversation should be kept together and you should be clear about your sources. I believe the moderators just asked to keep the Lance threads together.

Who are you? I've never heard of you until a couple months ago or whatever.

RaceRadio's been one of the key sources of info. Let the mods do the moderating.