the big ring said:
Forest and trees again. Are you missing something really, really big here?
What did USADA do first? Who did they give the opportunity to come clean to? Who did come clean? Who was subsequently charged?
This isn't just about Armstrong, 2 doctors have also already received life time bans, or are you forgetting them? You don't seem upset for them, I noticed?
Do I seem upset for anyone? Sorry if I gave that impression. I'm not sorry for Armstrong. I'm not sorry for the doctors, or for Bruyneel.
If they engaged in an ongoing conspiracy they all ought to be punished.
And let's understand how these other 10-12 former teammates and associates "came clean". You do know how that sort of thing works, right? It works like this: The USADA sends a letter to, for example, George Hincapie. In the letter the USADA says, "We've got sworn testimony from your former teammates that you engaged in blood doping, took PED's, and helped facilitate an ongoing conspiracy in which you and several of your former teammates, including LA, JB and others, trafficked, possessed and distributed PED's and other prohibited substances to others in your team. We have sworn statements that this went on for close to a decade and that you knew about it and participated and took drugs too. Unless you cooperate with us, we will issue the most severe sanctions possible to you. If you do cooperate, we'll go easier on you than we otherwise would if you contested these allegations. So, what would you like to do?"
The letter is not specific as to any names, dates or places, but it has enough detail about what the addressee is alleged to have done that it scares the crap out of the target. "What else do they really know?" the target thinks. And it's that fear of the unknown, the stuff the prosecutors might know that gets the guy to talk.
And let's not forget that at the time most of this information was being compiled, when the statements were being obtained from George, from Levi, DZ and others, most of the pressure was being brought to bear not by USADA, but by the United States Department of Justice, in the form of two Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Central District of Los Angeles, a dogged and reportedly single-minded (and perhaps ethically challenged) investigator from FDA (who had been booted out of the IRS investigations for misconduct in the MLB-Balco investigation for releasing the names of MLB steroid users even while a motion was pending before a federal judge to keep this information confidential), as well as the single most intimidating thing any U.S. citizen can face, and I'm referring to a Grand Jury Panel, where everything you say can and will be used against you, and if you are later held to an untruth, you will be prosecuted and go to jail for perjury or obstruction of justice.
So please don't talk to me about "cooperation". These guys were threatened with prosecution, monetary fines, perjury charges, and jail. The least of their problems would have been a two-year ban from the sport.
And that's how its done. USADA didn't go to all of these former teammates and suggest simply, "Gee, tell us what you know and if you do, we'll be nice," and in response they all came in and simply volunteered information, the same information that they'd been keeping secret for a decade.
What did USADA do first? They found one guy, Landis, who had an axe to grind, and who wanted to settle a score, and who was willing to give them enough information to allow the pressure to be brought to bear on the weaker links in the chain, the JV's of the world. I am not saying JV isn't a good guy, or a stand-up friend or that he's evil. But some guys respond to pressure differently than others. And when they show weakness, it allows the prosecutors to apply yet more pressure and threaten other people in the chain who might be tougher nuts to crack.
And of course, the USADA also had other information as well, including stuff from the Andreus, Lemond, etc., nothing quite definitive enough standing alone, but as they went up the chain, allowed them to get more and more concessions from those who would be most reluctant to talk. And each time, they are offered concessions and leniency, and are promised (and may ultimately be given) more lenient treatment as a result of their "cooperation".
Did they cooperate? Sure. Was it compelled cooperation? In my mind, absolutely.
Does this mean I have sympathy for any of the parties or players in the conspiracy? No way. Frankie Andreu admits to taking EPO, but because the statute of limitations had long since run, and he expressed regret (or rather Betsy expressed her outrage that Frankie had given into the pressure) this all somehow justifies that he was never sanctioned? Why not apply the same Hellebuyck rationale to him now, and ban him for at least two years (for PED use and possession) from his current cycling reporting gig. Or do we have a special place for him because he happens to have suffered at the hands of Armstrong?
Look, the whole thing is a cesspool, really. So you'll pardon me if I don't have too much sympathy for those who decided, only when it was morally convenient for them to do so, to blow the whistle and confess.
I just think no one deserves special treatment, at least not here, not now, not in this case. If you're going to punish one, then punish them all.
And yes, I'm aware of the discretion that the WADA Code and the USADA Protocols allow for those who cooperate. But after all this time, what really is the meaning of the word "cooperate" and how does it differ from simply trying to cover one's a##.