US prosecutors drop case against Armstrong/USPS

[LarryBudMelman]

Nuts!

There is going to come a time when people will take treatments or therapies that will dramatically improve the quality and duration of their life. Those treatments and therapies my have a side effect of dramatically improving the subject's sporting performance. No sane person would refuse such a treatment. Are we going to bar a person who receives such a treatment or therapy from sport? Are we going to sanction their behavior? Call it "wrong?" I make these points only in support of this position: Doping is wrong from a sporting point of view only insofar as it is cheating. From the sporting point of view it is no more or less wrong than vinokouroving a race.

Bike racing is complicated. On the one hand, there are the written rules of the sport. In my moral universe (as a fan), the inquiry ends there. But there are other rules in the sport--the 'unwritten law' of the peloton and the business of pro cycling as it is (questionably) practiced by the UCI. Anybody who wants to cycle as a pro has to balance all three 'laws'--definitely if they want any success, and often even if they want to participate at all.

I view European pro bike racing as a filthy circus, where the results mean nothing and the only value is the momentary pleasure of the race and the fun of watching all the antidoping drama. If the UCI imploded tomorrow, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. Some new cycling circus would replace it . . ..

But if (unlike me) you really care about pro cycling, you have to be sympathetic to the plight of the riders. You are supporting a doped up filthy circus! I don't mean to criticize that support at all--I just mean that it is hypocritical and cruel to focus hate on riders (and spouses) who have to contend with both the written and unwittten rules of a sport that you so ardently support and care for. If it weren't for the support of the fans, would-be pro bike racers wouldn't ever be in a position to make the ethical choices compelled by the written and unwritten rules of pro cycling. With very rare exceptions, the racers are mere pawns--and not very highly paid pawns, at that.

Attacking Ms. Andreu for her choice of spouse is particularly vicious. Such a gutter attack is disgusting. But she has left herself wide open to legitimate challenge.

Nice justifications and I love the way you set them up!

Thanks for your insane definition of sanity and for providing us with your moral compass.

Your whole act makes sense now!

 

[thehog]

Maybe not news but I find the Calfornia connection interesting.
__

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19970688

Teresa Casazza, president of the California Taxpayers Association, said the $855 million tax hike will create a new bureaucracy with little accountability to taxpayers. She noted that California already is struggling with unemployment and a budget deficit exceeding $10 billion.

"Now is not the time for Lance Armstrong to come into our state and ask us to support a flawed measure like Prop. 29, which would raise our taxes by nearly $1 billion to create another big-government spending program run by a commission of political appointees," Casazza said in a statement.

 

[MarkvW]

Extreme Hater Referendum News!

Do we have a celebrity petition signer? Greg L. of Hamel, MN has signed!

 

[goober]

Since Goober claims to be a personal friend of Lance and George maybe he could tell us who this guy is?

Seen often at Disco team hotels at the 2005 Tour. Strange as he does not appear on any staff rosters. Of course that cooler is likely filled with soda, we know Lance likes a cold Coke after the stage.

Also, does he know the Latino guy they used here in the U.S.? Hope nobody finds out about him.

Hahahahah AWESOME!

 

[goober]

I suggest you ask Goober this question. He is claiming that Armstrong knew the case was over 9 months ago and Lance has been tranquilo ever since

Wait a minute - when did I claim that Lance knew this was over 9 months ago? Please show me where I said LANCE knew this and I will eat my shorts.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Since Goober claims to be a personal friend of Lance and George maybe he could tell us who this guy is?

Seen often at Disco team hotels at the 2005 Tour. Strange as he does not appear on any staff rosters. Of course that cooler is likely filled with soda, we know Lance likes a cold Coke after the stage.

Also, does he know the Latino guy they used here in the U.S.? Hope nobody finds out about him.

That poor man really should get one of these. It holds 36 cold ones and it has wheels.

 

[goober]

Not with the US Government / Birotte, as he threw the entire case away.

I also saw that Kohls is now carrying Rock & Republic jeans, so either that was part of the bankruptcy or part of a very lucrative deal for him. I'd say he's doing well. But then again, look at his 'roid-driven body. He's just a hair off of looking like Arnie and Stallone.

Ball is up s hits creek.

 

[ChrisE]

Speaking of psychotic ramblings...

But anyway, what exactly is your point? That Armstrong was clean? You really believe that?

You seem too smart to live in such a binary world Velocity.

If somebody thinks TH's and FL's past transgressions and lies will cause them to get massacred on cross examination, that does not mean that same somebody thinks LA didn't dope.

If somebody thinks BA is a nutjob, that does not necessarily mean they think LA didn't dope.

Got it?

 

[Trailzz]

Ball is up s hits creek.

If true, this may explain alot. The investigation wouldn't be a total waste of resources by the Feds. Just prosecuting the low hanging fruit instead of a lengthy and expensive legal process with Lance (along with the PR nightmare). Probably a big part of the justification for tossing the Lance and Company piece of this case. take the easy win

 

[ChrisE]

If true, this may explain alot. The investigation wouldn't be a total waste of resources by the Feds. Just prosecuting the low hanging fruit instead of a lengthy and expensive legal process with Lance (along with the PR nightmare). Probably a big part of the justification for tossing the Lance and Company piece of this case. take the easy win

Ding Ding. We have a winner. Congrats.

 

[Ulle Relaxes]

No! It can not be! There must be a conspiracy!

goober vs Race Radio which insider will remain supreme?

 

[MarkvW]

I don't think that you can fairly imply that the Ball investigation is ongoing from the Birotte statement. Most investigations end quietly. The Lance statement is the exception to the rule because of the publicity the investigation received.

 

[MarkvW]

Wait a minute - when did I claim that Lance knew this was over 9 months ago? Please show me where I said LANCE knew this and I will eat my shorts.

You didn't.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

You seem too smart to live in such a binary world Velocity.

If somebody thinks TH's and FL's past transgressions and lies will cause them to get massacred on cross examination, that does not mean that same somebody thinks LA didn't dope.

If somebody thinks BA is a nutjob, that does not necessarily mean they think LA didn't dope.

Got it?

You're the one living in the binary world. So they get massacred? So what? When they'd have GH, KL, LL, CVW, JV backing them up, WTF difference does it make.

Jeez, you never heard of Sammy The Bull Gravano. He got massacred too but John Gotti went to prison for the rest of his life.

Wow, BA is a nutjob? Because she's a badass fighter, the stubbornly, relentlessly decent opponent of LA? You've lost it bro for even suggesting half of your nonsense.

You basically have no legitimate argument. Because LA is a complete A-hole, unless his accusers andthe truth revealers, confront him on everything he wins....

Yo, nothing from you....

 

[ChrisE]

You're the one living in the binary world. So they get massacred? So what? When they'd have GH, KL, LL, CVW, JV backing them up, WTF difference does it make.

Jeez, you never heard of Sammy The Bull Gravano. He got massacred too but John Gotti went to prison for the rest of his life.

Wow, BA is a nutjob? Because she's a badass fighter, the stubbornly, relentlessly decent opponent of LA? You've lost it bro for even suggesting half of your nonsense.

You basically have no legitimate argument. Because LA is a complete A-hole, unless his accusers andthe truth revealers, confront him on everything he wins....

Yo, nothing from you....

OK, you win.

Except, scoreboard says something different than what your hallucinations are telling you.

I do give you credit.....if I would have made a fool of myself like you did by jumping up and down about how right you were and how he was going down, I probably would have laid low for awhile. It helps that you seem to have zero self awareness to help you through this difficult time.

BTW, stay off of twitter when the mods start messing with you this time.

 

[Anonymous]

You're the one living in the binary world. So they get massacred? So what? When they'd have GH, KL, LL, CVW, JV backing them up, WTF difference does it make.

Jeez, you never heard of Sammy The Bull Gravano. He got massacred too but John Gotti went to prison for the rest of his life.

Wow, BA is a nutjob? Because she's a badass fighter, the stubbornly, relentlessly decent opponent of LA? You've lost it bro for even suggesting half of your nonsense.

You basically have no legitimate argument. Because LA is a complete A-hole, unless his accusers andthe truth revealers, confront him on everything he wins....

Yo, nothing from you....

You realize the post was designed to illicit this exact response, right?

Don't feed the Chrissy.

 

[ChrisE]

You realize the post was designed to illicit this exact response, right?

Don't feed the Chrissy.

This is classic. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Who would have thought a person of principle like yourself would stoop to this level?

 

[Anonymous]

This is classic. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Who would have thought a person of principle like yourself would stoop to this level?

Friends, enemies?

Naw, dude. I' talking about your trolling.

 

[Race Radio]

Wait a minute - when did I claim that Lance knew this was over 9 months ago? Please show me where I said LANCE knew this and I will eat my shorts.

You wrote

Actually this is so far from the truth of what happened. This decision to close the investigation is almost 9 months old.

They were contemplating dropping this almost 9 months ago,

Only surprise here is it was supposed to happen the day after Thanksgiving and Lance had to wait 2 months longer - 9 months after it should have happened. Soon I will give some pretty good details... So many here had no clue to the facts.... Watch for my book...

In July you wrote

This is not big news but other news is coming.... just a bit longer... I am a bit surprised

So you knew 9 months ago but did not tell your buddy Lance?


On the possibility of a USADA sanction you had this exchange a year ago

What investigation! Novitzky will supply all the evidence needed on a platter. Just like Marion's sanction, this will be a slam dunk case

I am willing to put $$$$ on this one. Are you game?

Do you still think USADA has not chance?

What is up with Unitedhealthcare? 7 months ago when asked if they are clean you wrote

Wait a few months...

How soon till they get busted?

I am sure you are correct on many things but when you say that nobody was schedule to appear 2 weeks ago I have question you. I am positive someone was scheduled. Granted, I doubt that person could have added anything to the case...... In fact that does add credence to what you say, the fact that he was called shows that perhaps they were searching for more evidence.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I like this one....


Originally Posted by goober
Only surprise here is it was supposed to happen the day after Thanksgiving and Lance had to wait 2 months longer - 9 months after it should have happened. Soon I will give some pretty good details... So many here had no clue to the facts.... Watch for my book...

 

[MarkvW]

I like this one....


Originally Posted by goober
Only surprise here is it was supposed to happen the day after Thanksgiving and Lance had to wait 2 months longer - 9 months after it should have happened. Soon I will give some pretty good details... So many here had no clue to the facts.... Watch for my book...

And this is relevant to . . . what?

 

[mewmewmew13]

And this is relevant to . . . what?

details. case.
waiting with interest of course

And you are scanning my posts now for relevancy mr. mod?

 

[MarkvW]

details. case.
waiting with interest of course

And you are scanning my posts now for relevancy mr. mod?

It's just that your post appeared kind of . . . random. That's all.

 

[mewmewmew13]

It's just that your post appeared kind of . . . random. That's all.

Yes I know. Too much white space.

Just waiting for more details to come out.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

OK, you win.

Except, scoreboard says something different than what your hallucinations are telling you.

I do give you credit.....if I would have made a fool of myself like you did by jumping up and down about how right you were and how he was going down, I probably would have laid low for awhile. It helps that you seem to have zero self awareness to help you through this difficult time.

BTW, stay off of twitter when the mods start messing with you this time.

I win? How about doing the right thing and the everbody wins?

I made a fool of myself? You make a fool of yourself with every single cynical post you make.

My hallucinations? Is Austin Murphy hallucinating?

Going after Betsy, or understanding why people do go after her, is disgraceful. Especially since you know she's right about every single thing she says.

I don't know where you stood on LeMond but did you side with all the jerk offs who were taking shots at him when he called it correctly?

So I didn't understand the corrupt decision that was made. You did, congratulations.