The official CBS 60 minutes thread

[Merckx index]

This is the 60min response.

Thanks for this. I think it mostly confirms what I speculated above. I.e., Saugy was the one signing the sworn statement, and 60m stuck to the letter of what he said, but added to this Tyler's claims. But this is interesting:

This was confirmed by a number of international officials who have linked the "suspicious" test to Armstrong.

So now we have something going beyond Saugy's claim that he didn't know the identity of the samples. This adds a little more strength to Tyler's side of the story, where it conflicts with Saugy's. And it would provide a focal point for LA's tale. This would be the sample he was referring to when he talked to TH. Even if he was bragging, I would expect his boast to have some basis in fact. There was a sample, it was not just passed through as a routine negative, it was taken care of.

This opens up some possibilities:

a) LA could be shown to have tested positive by current standards, even if at that time it was only considered suspicious.
b) regardless of Saugy's story about giving "seminars", any meeting with a rider about a specific sample would be, at least by WADA's understanding, highly unusual.
c) Saugy himself, assuming he has been truthful, did not have access to all the facts. Given he was not the director then, this may not be surprising.

 

[webvan]

Yes and Saugy never explained why/how he "found out in 2002" that the suspicious tests from 2001 might be Armstrong's...

...was it because of the purported suspicious test at the 2002 Dauphiné...was it because he put two and two together after the UCI told them to explain to JB and LA how the new EPO test worked?

 

[thehog]

This is the 60min response.


60 MINUTES stands by its story as truthful, accurate and fair. Lance Armstrong and his lawyers were given numerous opportunities to respond to every detail of our reporting for weeks prior to the broadcast and their written responses were fairly and accurately included in the story. Mr. Armstrong still has not addressed charges by teammates Tyler Hamilton and George Hincapie that he used performance enhancing drugs with them. 1) The letter from Keker & Van Nest, Mr. Armstrong's attorneys, claims that there was no "positive" or "suspicious" test from the 2001 Tour de Suisse: Mr. Armstrong's teammate, Tyler Hamilton, told 60 MINUTES about the 2001 Tour de Suisse test. Included in his interview are the same facts that Hamilton reported under oath to U.S. federal officials under the penalty of perjury. 60 MINUTES also reported that the Swiss Anti-Doping Laboratory Director, Dr. Martial Saugy, told U.S. officials and the FBI that that there was a "suspicious" test result from the Tour de Suisse in 2001. This was confirmed by a number of international officials who have linked the "suspicious" test to Armstrong. In recent days, Dr. Saugy finally confirmed to the media that there were "suspicious" test results. 2) The letter from Armstrong's attorneys claims that 60 MINUTES was inaccurate in reporting about a meeting between Dr. Saugy, Mr. Armstrong and former U.S. Postal Team Director, Johan Bruyneel: 60 Minutes reported there was a meeting between Dr. Saugy, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Bruyneel. Dr. Saugy refused our requests for an interview, but after the broadcast he confirmed that the meeting took place. Mr. Armstrong, after our broadcast, said he couldn't recall that any such meeting took place. 3) Mr. Armstrong's lawyers claim our story was "shoddy," while we found at least three inaccuracies in their letter: They claimed that 60 MINUTES reported the meeting took place at the Swiss lab; they claimed that 60 MINUTES reported the meeting took place in 2001; and they claimed that 60 MINUTES said it was a "secret" meeting. All three are wrong. David Howman, managing director of the World Anti-Doping Agency, told 60 MINUTES that any meeting between Mr.Armstrong, Mr. Brunyeel and the Swiss lab director, Dr. Saugy, would be "highly unusual" and "inappropriate." Jeff Fager, chairman, CBS News, executive producer, 60 MINUTES

Well that mystifying sub-plot came to dead-end. Your move Lance.

 

[sniper]

Yes and Saugy never explained why/how he "found out in 2002" that the suspicious tests from 2001 might be Armstrong's...

...was it because of the purported suspicious test at the 2002 Dauphiné...was it because he put two and two together after the UCI told them to explain to JB and LA how the new EPO test worked?

This is key if you ask me.
I've been wondering about exactly this as well.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Saugy still has some answering to do. The full story has yet to be revealed. Both Floyd and Tyler were convinced that Lance not only had the test covered up but he paid to do so.

It might have been some boasting from Lance but what doesn't add up was yes there was a meeting arranged by the UCI at the Swiss Lab and there was a donation - that much we know.

Why say such things? To impress or to impress upon? "Trust me. I make these things disappear"? When you weigh this detail with the fact that zero USPS riders even came close to testing positive or being linked to a drug scandal in 10 years. It beggars belief that in this period that they had a clean record. Almost every single professional team from 1999 to 2006 had a positive or a scandal of sorts. USPS none?

Something was up. I get the feeling where about to find out what was going on.

Gad, I sure hope so!

 

[Cimacoppi49]

Gad, I sure hope so!

The truth always has a way of finding the light. It just takes a wee bit of time.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Yes and Saugy never explained why/how he "found out in 2002" that the suspicious tests from 2001 might be Armstrong's...

...was it because of the purported suspicious test at the 2002 Dauphiné...was it because he put two and two together after the UCI told them to explain to JB and LA how the new EPO test worked?

Perhaps it is because Saugy became lab director in 2002 with Rivier leaving.

 

[Kodiak]

Can someone point to the bit where it says Armstrong didn't use EPO and didn't supply his teammates with PEDs?

Also, where is the bit where they threaten to sue if there is no retraction?

my thoughts exactly. Caught part of it on the way out of the office this evening and then was thinking on the drive home. Why doesn't he just sue them for libel or defamation if they were that "inaccurate" as this country is run on litigation?

 

[Polish]

What a pathetic response from the head of CBS News.
Seriously.

Instead of taking responsibility for the "extraordinarily shoddy, reckless and unprofessional hit-and-run job", he blames Tyler instead.

"Tyler said it, not us"
"We just asked the leading questions"
"You guys are shoddy not us"
Puhleeze.

Man up CBS.
Take responsibilty and apologize.
Apologize to Tyler too while you are at it.
And apologize to Walter Cronkite.

 

[D-Queued]

This is the 60min response.


... Mr. Armstrong's lawyers claim our story was "shoddy," while we found at least three inaccuracies in their letter: They claimed that 60 MINUTES reported the meeting took place at the Swiss lab; they claimed that 60 MINUTES reported the meeting took place in 2001; and they claimed that 60 MINUTES said it was a "secret" meeting. All three are wrong. David Howman, managing director of the World Anti-Doping Agency, told 60 MINUTES that any meeting between Mr.Armstrong, Mr. Brunyeel and the Swiss lab director, Dr. Saugy, would be "highly unusual" and "inappropriate." Jeff Fager, chairman, CBS News, executive producer, 60 MINUTES

True to form.

Lies, lies and more lies.

Bigger team, same old lying behavior. Novitzky must be laughing out loud.

Dave.

 

[Anonymous]

What a pathetic response from the head of CBS News.
Seriously.

Instead of taking responsibility for the "extraordinarily shoddy, reckless and unprofessional hit-and-run job", he blames Tyler instead.

"Tyler said it, not us"
"We just asked the leading questions"
"You guys are shoddy not us"
Puhleeze.

Man up CBS.
Take responsibilty and apologize.
Apologize to Tyler too while you are at it.
And apologize to Walter Cronkite.

Maybe CBS should ask LA's legal team to just bring a lawsuit so they (CBS) could apologize monetarily?

 

[Polish]

Maybe CBS should ask LA's legal team to just bring a lawsuit so they (CBS) could apologize monetarily?

Lance does not need any more money.
He is loaded.
The issue here is Honour.
Can't put a price on that anyway.

Interesting quote from the Lance Camp this afternoon regarding LEAKS.

"In an investigation characterized by unlawful leaks, it is amazing how quickly the leaker responded to today's '60 Minutes' letter, by reaching out to the AP in Los Angeles, and leaking some more," Fabiani said. "It is time for the press to stop giving comfort to this lawless form of character assassination and name names. Who is leaking this information? Whoever is doing so is committing a crime and should be investigated for it."

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/news/story?id=6614413

Leaky Witch Hunt.

60 Minutes needs to investigate THAT part of the story.
Except maybe they are INVOLVED in the Witch Hunt.
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble

 

[zigmeister]

Are you sure you understand what you're commenting on? The fact that Frankie didn't test positive, while he DOES admit having done EPO, shows how little value Lance's favorite talking point is. It seems relevant if you're a lawyer or a blind and deaf fanboy, not if you're a rational human being.

Are you guys sure you understand a simple question and rationale that a jury would likely hear in court?

Frankie, Tyler and Lance's comments nullifies each. That is the point. They all said they never tested positive.

Now it is back to the same argument and who do you believe? We know who you believe, but what about a juror?

 

[zigmeister]

To attack Lance, silly. The clean rider tells the world that he doped because he's jealous of Lance and he wants to make Lance look bad--even at the risk of a criminal conviction and damage to his reputation. That's what Zigmeister is arguing!

It's logically possible . . . .. Look, maybe there is a worldwide conspiracy against Lance and many of those in The Clinic are innocent dupes (or worse). Zigmeister could be the new Messiah of truth. Are you going to engage with the Zigmeister and help him spread the Word?

Who said they were going to be prosecuted? Threatened to build their case against LA yes.

Yes, why exactly did Frankie come out with all of this? Is he the great moral savior of cycling and did it all for the kids?

 

[MarkvW]

Who said they were going to be prosecuted? Threatened to build their case against LA yes.

Yes, why exactly did Frankie come out with all of this? Is he the great moral savior of cycling and did it all for the kids?

You are funny.

 

[Zweistein]

Lance does not need any more money.
He is loaded.
The issue here is Honour.
Can't put a price on that anyway.

Interesting quote from the Lance Camp this afternoon regarding LEAKS.

"In an investigation characterized by unlawful leaks, it is amazing how quickly the leaker responded to today's '60 Minutes' letter, by reaching out to the AP in Los Angeles, and leaking some more," Fabiani said. "It is time for the press to stop giving comfort to this lawless form of character assassination and name names. Who is leaking this information? Whoever is doing so is committing a crime and should be investigated for it."

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/news/story?id=6614413

Leaky Witch Hunt.

60 Minutes needs to investigate THAT part of the story.
Except maybe they are INVOLVED in the Witch Hunt.
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble

You provided my daily chuckle. THANK YOU.

 

[Cimacoppi49]

Lance does not need any more money.
He is loaded.
The issue here is Honour.
Can't put a price on that anyway.

Interesting quote from the Lance Camp this afternoon regarding LEAKS.

"In an investigation characterized by unlawful leaks, it is amazing how quickly the leaker responded to today's '60 Minutes' letter, by reaching out to the AP in Los Angeles, and leaking some more," Fabiani said. "It is time for the press to stop giving comfort to this lawless form of character assassination and name names. Who is leaking this information? Whoever is doing so is committing a crime and should be investigated for it."

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/news/story?id=6614413

Leaky Witch Hunt.

60 Minutes needs to investigate THAT part of the story.
Except maybe they are INVOLVED in the Witch Hunt.
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble

Before this is all over, Lance WILL need money, but he'll never sue CBS for it. He knows that in the US he'll have to prove actual malice pursuant to NY Times vs. Sullivan and its progeny. Lance does not want to be cross-examined on these issues in a Federal court near you.

 

[powerste]

Lance does not need any more money.
He is loaded.
The issue here is Honour.
Can't put a price on that anyway.

Interesting quote from the Lance Camp this afternoon regarding LEAKS.

"In an investigation characterized by unlawful leaks, it is amazing how quickly the leaker responded to today's '60 Minutes' letter, by reaching out to the AP in Los Angeles, and leaking some more," Fabiani said. "It is time for the press to stop giving comfort to this lawless form of character assassination and name names. Who is leaking this information? Whoever is doing so is committing a crime and should be investigated for it."

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/news/story?id=6614413

Leaky Witch Hunt.

60 Minutes needs to investigate THAT part of the story.
Except maybe they are INVOLVED in the Witch Hunt.
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble

If it's about Honour and Lance is loaded (with $ that is) as you say, he should absolutely go ahead and restore that honour by suing the lying *******s. Since he doesn't need more money, he can easily afford to restore his honour in court. Moreover, if he's right, he'd even get his money (you know, the stuff he doesn't need any more of) back anyway. It's a guaranteed win for him! Why hasn't he already filed? The self-righteous LA of old certainly would have!

And you're absolutely right, whoever is potentially leaking illegally should absolutely be investigated. If Foghorn Leghorn actually believes he's right, he should pursue it with the proper authorities instead of through a press-release. Hmm, now that I think about it, it's odd that he hasn't...why could that be?

It'd be nice if you were capable of either doing better or at least showing the occasional flash of humor that Flickr does.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Frankie, Tyler and Lance's comments nullifies each. That is the point. They all said they never tested positive.

You left out George (and Levi, KL, MJ when it's revealed they told the truth as well).

This entire "apology" is fairly amusing actually. Maybe CBS should apologize to the tobacco industry, John Gotti and others while they are at it.

 

[powerste]

yep.
bad move by McLyin', the asking for apologies..

http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/6...pology-truthful-accurate-and-fair-story-27861

...boomerang...

Nice comments on that Wrap piece BTW!

 

[webvan]

You left out George (and Levi, KL, MJ when it's revealed they told the truth as well).

This entire "apology" is fairly amusing actually. Maybe CBS should apologize to the tobacco industry, John Gotti and others while they are at it.

Can't place MJ right now?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Colorado is my guess.

 

[ChrisE]

Doesn't this latest round of events just ooze plea bargain? You guys sniff RR's chamois too much. LA will fight this to the end. He has to. He is all in.

 

[Oldman]

Doesn't this latest round of events just ooze plea bargain? You guys sniff RR's chamois too much. LA will fight this to the end. He has to. He is all in.

Plea bargain was the smart bet last spring. I think RR even thought so but I couldn't tell you what creme he's using.
As for Lance being "all in"; I don't think he really will know how deep he's sunk until one smart attorney leaves his cause and big fees like a fat rat not wanting to go down. None of these guys like to be the last loser standing.

 

[knewcleardaze]

Who's MJ? I read back several pages, still no clue.
Gee, I wish I was smarter.