US prosecutors drop case against Armstrong/USPS

[SpeedWay]

I wonder how many posters just committed suicide? All their obsessive hopes and dreams gone just like that, now they are destined to be unfulfilled in life.

Hopefully this is the end of the endless lance talk. He isn't winning any races anymore so who cares anyways. At the very least I am particularly happy because this means the government has stopped spending my tax dollars to prove something we already know and in the end this seemed more about novitsky's career than lance's.
We should focus our energy on finding some new villains to target and obsess on

An overwhelming majority of the posters here are owned by LA. He's in their psyche for eternity - there's no hope for them(ie round 2 - "USADA - a beacon of light in a dark world for those with wet panties").
Hopefully the young and the innocent here will learn a lesson of the futility and moral turpitude of hate.

 

[Steel4Ever]

Best news ever!

So now everyone can finally STOP talking/posting/reporting about Pharmstrong and focus on the racers of the day -- the way it should be. Having no one pay attention to him will be far more painful and suffer-ful(?) to Pharmboy than any doping charge! LOL!

Sure history will show a Texan took the yellow (I refuse to use the word "won") seven years in a row, but it was within a generation of rampant and prolific doping in the sport. Macho Man's WWF title belts carry more merit! LOL!

 

[Escarabajo]

The rest of your post I can appreciate, but this last sentence, I respect that as your choice, but hope you can also appreciate that others have made a different choice.

In my case for example, I care if people dope because I have a 12 y/o son who is hell bent on becoming a professional cyclist. He has grown up with me riding almost everyday and now takes himself out on century rides throughout the year.

I would like to think that if he is ever good enough to make it into the professional ranks, he can do so without having to resort to PEDs.

So it's important that there is a continuous battle to find the cheats, because maybe just slowly, the sport can develop a clean culture that benefits the health of its future stars.

Wow. I did not know that. Now I understand why you write what you write. You are in for a big surprise.

Me, on the other hand, can not let my kids go into professional cycling. I may be a hypocrite because I watch it and follow some of them. But I know the reality of it.

 

[thehog]

Wow. I did not know that. Now I understand why you write what you write. You are in for a big surprise.

Me, on the other hand, can not let my kids go into professional cycling. I may be a hypocrite because I watch it and follow some of them. But I know the reality of it.

Yep don't go near it. I saw some horrible things. Coaches playing parents off against their children. Wrecking their heads with dope. Kids getting addicted to the performance of drugs.

Why do you think Lance is so hell bent? Its not his father leaving him but all the chemicals in his body have messed with him. It hits teenagers harder than adults.

 

[Escarabajo]

You still don't get it do you? The only mountain of evidence that existed was here in the clinic. Yesterday you witnessed the value of clinic evidence. Think of all of this like the story of Johan flushing my hero Landis' blood down the toilet. Turns out it never happened. Can we just turn out the lights in the clinic now, it's a bigger fail than Novitzky.

Because the Armstrong case was dropped it does not mean that many of the things said on this forum or whatever was told by witnesses during the investigation never happened. How do you know that? And what do you know about the case being dropped? There are many things that we don't know, and might never know in our lifetime. Just don't relate the case being dropped with Armstrong and Bruynel being angels and clean. It has nothing to do with that. On the other hand, if you have inside information, please share with us.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Out of interest, who would have more of a higher profile, Lance Armstrong or Marion Jones, and Marion went down?

Lance, if by high profile you mean connections to rich white men with friends in high places and something to lose.

 

[hrotha]

Because the Armstrong case was dropped it does not mean that many of the things said on this forum or whatever was told by witnesses during the investigation never happened. How do you know that? And what do you know about the case being dropped? There are many things that we don't know, and might never know in our lifetime. Just don't relate the case being dropped with Armstrong and Bruynel being angels and clean. It has nothing to do with that. On the other hand, if you have inside information, please share with us.

Landis himself said that didn't happen as commonly told. They flushed his blood down the toilet alright, but they didn't do it out of spite: they did it with the blood of ALL the riders, because they reckoned they didn't need it, as they were making everybody look silly with their performance, and any further boost would be too over the top.

The embellished story apparently came from Vaughters, who either misremembered details, misunderstood Landis the first time around, or has a thing for good stories.

Speaking of Vaughters, I wonder what he thinks of this. He and his riders weren't saying anything publicly because of the federal investigation, but now that didn't go anywhere, and Landis and Hamilton have sacrificed themselves for naught. And Vaughters could save them with a mere word.

 

[stephens]

I hope various grand jury testimony is made pubic.

That would be a violation of law and miscarriage of justice far greater than anything Armstrong has done.

You really want to violate the entire basis of the constitutional judicial system in order to shame a guy who cheated in some bicycle races? Unbelievable.

 

[mwbyrd]

It was pretty evident from USADAs press release:

“Unlike the U.S. Attorney, USADA’s job is to protect clean sport rather than enforce specific criminal laws. Our investigation into doping in the sport of cycling is continuing and we look forward to obtaining the information developed during the federal investigation.”

And what exactly has USADA done to protect clean sport? Especially relating to American Cyclists? I think they'll have some ghosts in the closet too.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Really? Armstrong does not care if he is sanctioned by USADA?

One of the few guys who ever understood what this was all about was the fella who was 'saying it to Armstrong's face.'

The whole case came down to intimidation, idolatry, money, connections, and politics.

In the end the evidence played no part whatsoever.

I also think it was a political abdication by the spineless Obama administration, which has prosecuted no one of any consequence, and doesn't want the cost/benefit information of the investigation coming up in an election year.

Although I despise the arguments of Aphronesis, I believe them to be correct once one gets through the convoluted language.

There are high level idolaters in both the Dem and Rep parties which are both worshippers of the kind of power Armstrong employs. They respect and fear that power.

Now Obama will go after Bradley Manning who has done nothing but expose how fraudulent the U.S. government is and is a god send to people who want transparency and truth about their govt.


Well done!

 

[LarryBudMelman]

That would be a violation of law and miscarriage of justice far greater than anything Armstrong has done.

You really want to violate the entire basis of the constitutional judicial system in order to shame a guy who cheated in some bicycle races? Unbelievable.

Apparently you fear the truth....I don't... Drip, Drip, Drip......

 

[mwbyrd]

Apparently there is a recent example of dispension from the eight year statue of limitations:



http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...Lance-ArmstrongUSPS-doping-investigation.aspx

The only problem with this theory is that Armstrong never officially tested positive. I mean, he rode under USADA's 'watch', but they couldn't catch him. Now they want to go back in time to find him guilty? Their credibility will get ripped if it went to court.

IMO, dumb and a waste of time. Work on keeping today's 'sport' clean. That should take enough of your time and budget.

 

[peterst6906]

Me, on the other hand, can not let my kids go into professional cycling. I may be a hypocrite because I watch it and follow some of them. But I know the reality of it.

I wouldn't call you a hypocrit at all. That's a decision you've made in the best interests of your kids.

It's a long way to go (and still many things in life for my son to discover) before he will be in a position to really know one way or the other. But if he does get to that point, there will be little difference I will be able to make by that age. He'll be a young man who will probably think he knows best by then. The only choice I will have will be to try to be a positive role model and a constant influence on his choices.

But PEDs is a decision I hope he never has to make and I hope other kids in the future don't have to make it. The more that is done now, the better.

In relation to LA, I don't particularly have a horse to run in that race. I just hope this development doesn't set the fight against drugs in cycling back a few years.

The best thing I think could happen anyway would be to have McQuaid replaced as the head of the UCI. That could lead to some huge gains.

 

[scribe]

Would someone explain to me why Tyler Hamilton's lawyer is commenting on how the investigation isn't complete yet?

What's it to them?

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Landis himself said that didn't happen as commonly told. They flushed his blood down the toilet alright, but they didn't do it out of spite: they did it with the blood of ALL the riders, because they reckoned they didn't need it, as they were making everybody look silly with their performance, and any further boost would be too over the top.

The embellished story apparently came from Vaughters, who either misremembered details, misunderstood Landis the first time around, or has a thing for good stories.

Speaking of Vaughters, I wonder what he thinks of this. He and his riders weren't saying anything publicly because of the federal investigation, but now that didn't go anywhere, and Landis and Hamilton have sacrificed themselves for naught. And Vaughters could save them with a mere word.

He's a cowardly disgrace...or he may be a stalwart of this forum under an alias....

his twitter signature..

"I've dedicated my life to professional cycling, anti-doping, and aggravating people with no sense of humor."

He's dedicated his life to no such thing as anti-doping. If that was true he'd make an unequivocal statement about his doping and what went on at USPS and pro cycling in general.

Now's the time to speak up JV.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Would someone explain to me why Tyler Hamilton's lawyer is commenting on how the investigation isn't complete yet?

What's it to them?

Tyler Hamilton has just as much right to the Gold Medal as Pharmstrong has to his TdF fraud.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

I wouldn't call you a hypocrit at all. That's a decision you've made in the best interests of your kids.

It's a long way to go (and still many things in life for my son to discover) before he will be in a position to really know one way or the other. But if he does get to that point, there will be little difference I will be able to make by that age. He'll be a young man who will probably think he knows best by then. The only choice I will have will be to try to be a positive role model and a constant influence on his choices.

But PEDs is a decision I hope he never has to make and I hope other kids in the future don't have to make it. The more that is done now, the better.

In relation to LA, I don't particularly have a horse to run in that race. I just hope this development doesn't set the fight against drugs in cycling back a few years.

The best thing I think could happen anyway would be to have McQuaid replaced as the head of the UCI. That could be a huge step forward.

Nah, this development helps the fight against PED's.

 

[Maxiton]

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_...strong-federal-investigation-raises-questions

Bonnie Ford has a good overview



This jibes with what NPR reported, the GJ was closed before they could render a verdict.

Lobbying works

Yes. Which is exactly what I meant when I said his lawyers earned their keep, and then some.

You ask lots of questions, but you know the answers to them. All this would end up gridlocked in courts for several years... Just to prove sporting fraud on a foreign soil. The justice department is making a clear signal that they do not want to get involved in doping as it relates to sports, and especially not an obscure one in other parts of the world.

So the next healthy step here is to expend energy to make sure doping controls are sufficient enough going forward. That would save a lot of heartache after someone else comes along smashing records.

Landis himself said that didn't happen as commonly told. They flushed his blood down the toilet alright, but they didn't do it out of spite: they did it with the blood of ALL the riders, because they reckoned they didn't need it, as they were making everybody look silly with their performance, and any further boost would be too over the top.

The embellished story apparently came from Vaughters, who either misremembered details, misunderstood Landis the first time around, or has a thing for good stories.

Speaking of Vaughters, I wonder what he thinks of this. He and his riders weren't saying anything publicly because of the federal investigation, but now that didn't go anywhere, and Landis and Hamilton have sacrificed themselves for naught. And Vaughters could save them with a mere word.

Regarding the bold bits, I'm not sure you guys have fully thought through the implications of this decision. Throughout the time of this investigation, you could see the silent hand of Armstrong at work, exercising his influence here and there within the cycling world - always in his own favor, of course, or in favor of his values. Now that this is past, I don't think he'll be restrained. In fact, Lance and his people will re-double their efforts to further shape the sport, for fun, for profit, and most of all to make sure nothing like this ever again sees light of day. Just watch.

If Vaughters were to open his trap now, he might just as well take a razor to his neck - it would be a lot quicker. I don't think anybody in or around pro cycling is going to be saying anything - except for those for whom it's already too late. Not unless something else happens, such as indictments out of nowhere.

EDIT: Mind you, I'm not happy about this - but in a way pro cycling has its own inner mafia, and this is the way mafias work within countries and organizations that they dominate.

 

[peterst6906]

Nah, this development helps the fight against PED's.

I can't see how that's the case (and noting your emoticon, I understand your cynicism), but hopefully it doesn't hurt it either.

 

[The Plediadian]

No. You are applauding the fact that Armstrong will not be indicted by the a GJ. A doper and cheater.

Cycling was cheat or be cheated. We have turned the corner in the fight against cheating/doping.
Although you could be correct about Armstrong, we will never know.
All one can say about him he has done a lot of good for cycling, sport, health and cancer awareness/recognition/hope.
Looking into the crystal ball I see a life in politics for him.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Cycling was cheat or be cheated. We have turned the corner in the fight against cheating/doping.
Although you could be correct about Armstrong, we will never know.
All one can say about him he has done a lot of good for cycling, sport, health and cancer awareness/recognition/hope.
Looking into the crystal ball I see a life in politics for him.

"Too much good, for too many people."

 

[sniper]

Damn the UCI ****es me off.
Floyd, Tyler, Andreu, all liars according to the UCI:

"We don't want to keep looking behind us, there's nothing there, and the investigation proved that." http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-wants-to-put-armstrong-investigation-behind-it

How can they take such a stand? I'm baffled.

 

[patricknd]

Yes. All is lost. Cycling is doomed because Lance wasn't indicted.

Come on! It's just another eruption in the cycling cesspool. SSDD. No reason to stop enjoying the filthy circus!

How can you say that the justice system failed us when you can't even seriously outline the charges that were under consideration and the proof available to the prosecutors? That's not the kind of thing a judge would say . . .

And (if your legal background is really what you say it is), you can't really expect that the feds are going to discuss why Armstrong wasn't indicted. That would mean revealing the available proof, which would mean blowing the Grand Jury. Not going to happen.

they'll discuss it if betsy demands it !!!!!

 

[Benotti69]

Damn the UCI ****es me off.
Floyd, Tyler, Andreu, all liars according to the UCI:

How can they take such a stand? I'm baffled.

I think they just announced that the brown envelope avenue has been reopened for business on a bigger scale and those who dont follow omerta watch out.

 

[shawnrohrbach]

After hearing of the closure of the investigation on NPR driving to the grocery store, I promptly returned home and burned the copy of "It's not about the Bike" my departed mother gave to me in my out door fire pit. Nothing remains of it or my interest in observing the sport of cycling at any level. I will ride to stay in shape, but that's it.