Why I will always be a "fanboy" and proud of it

[Hugh Januss]

Wow, there couldn't be a better example of forum omerta.

Not one single user in the rest of the thread condemns this post that basically tells someone to clear off the site because he doesn't agree with the general view about LA. Not one of these guys who is so pious about "trolls" had the courage to speak up and say that this is not the right approach to have on a cycling forum, or even condemn the grossly offensive comparison to the Nazis.

They stay silent. Instead Dr Maserati does his usual thing of looking for some irrelevant nuance to to pick holes in what he said (like the guy is not going to get confused when arguing with ten different people), and we have Hugh Janus telling him that we're not debating him because we've heard it all before (well why respond at all then!)

Seriously, what are you people like? How are you not cringing at your shameless hypocrisy? Surely a little brain cell somewhere must have thought "well there is another current thread we're we are pretending that we only have a problem with "trolls" and not people we disagree with, so maybe it's not a good idea to blow our cover so quickly?"

But no, not one of you stepped up. Wow. Brilliant.

Hi BPC, actually when you post something here and then PM the very same drivel to me it kind of wastes time.
I'm going for a ride right now so I don't have time to play, I'll check in when I get back but you will probably be gone already (they are getting good at that).......later.

 

[VeloFidelis]

Wow, there couldn't be a better example of forum omerta.

Not one single user in the rest of the thread condemns this post that basically tells someone to clear off the site because he doesn't agree with the general view about LA. Not one of these guys who is so pious about "trolls" had the courage to speak up and say that this is not the right approach to have on a cycling forum, or even condemn the grossly offensive comparison to the Nazis.

They stay silent. Instead Dr Maserati does his usual thing of looking for some irrelevant nuance to to pick holes in what he said (like the guy is not going to get confused when arguing with ten different people), and we have Hugh Janus telling him that we're not debating him because we've heard it all before (well why respond at all then!)

Seriously, what are you people like? How are you not cringing at your shameless hypocrisy? Surely a little brain cell somewhere must have thought "well there is another current thread we're we are pretending that we only have a problem with "trolls" and not people we disagree with, so maybe it's not a good idea to blow our cover so quickly?"

But no, not one of you stepped up. Wow. Brilliant.

Dr. Goebbels?... you're alive?!!!

 

[Dr. Maserati]

........

Actually BPC - I realise getting your facts straight is not your strongpoint, but 'straydog' quoted my posts and attributed comments (that I did not make) in their reply.

I pointed this out and 'straydog' admitted that they had meant it for another user, which is fine- and thus we move on.... which sadly you seem incapable of doing.

 

[sars1981]

I think you mean "you're" easily impressed...

wow. pwned.

 

[barn yard]

So the first question. Do I think Lance doped?

Answer: Yes.

Do I care?

Answer: No

Who was cheated here?

all those people with cancer who believe they will be ok because they keep buying items with yellow highlights and a swoosh logo, and now the numbers 1275 and 28.

 

[Ferminal]

The Cancer Stricken faithful as you call them....I wouldn't be so arrogant as to speak for them if I were you

Yet Armstrong is arrogant enough to speak for us...

 

[buckwheat]

4. Ferrari........high revolution pedalling techniques....all commonly accepted in todays cycling parlance and all developed in part by his work. And actually his hill climbing interval training is brilliant....genuinely brilliant....don't believe me....just join his site and get them.

Yeah, he's a fcuking genius. For the high cadence alone he should be shot.

 

[VeloFidelis]

wow. pwned.

True dat!!

 

[Oldman]

Yeah, he's a fcuking genius. For the high cadence alone he should be shot.

I started cycling seriously in '87 after running a bit. Cadence seemed like a basically logical thing to save your legs until you needed to lay down some serious work. I wasn't a racer or a particularly good rider, maybe a motion-sports-cadence savant; but I figured that out before I finished my first race. Ferrari owes me some patent rights or street cred, at least.

 

[theswordsman]

I read a few hours ago that this year Nike is giving the proceeds from the yellow bands to another cancer charity rather than Livestrong. That's kind of a big deal, if true.

Nike, money, ethics

This year, Nike has decided to donate the proceeds of yellow Livestrong wristband to the League against Cancer. Last year, earnings had benefited Livestrong, which is both the foundation "Charity", supported by Lance Armstrong and a company whose runner-businessman takes a personal profit.
For his part, whatever the recipient of the collection, Nike was the big winner of the transaction.Marie-Hélène Abbo, a marketing professor at the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Pau, Le Figaro says that the donor "also helps the Nike brand to be ethical. The "partnership" between a private company and a worthy cause even has a name in English: "co-branding issue.

http://www.cyclismag.com/article.php?sid=5988#ancre2

As for the Pledge Of Allegiance To Fandom, whatever. There was a really mean, self-proclaimed villain on Survivor named Russell. He'd do things like throw people's shoes in the fire while tribe mates slept. Some fans loved him, and he was so popular that he made the next season as well.

Personally, I respect honesty. Armstrong lied for years. Yes, other guys doped, and maybe once or twice a year, someone would ask them and they'd deny it. Armstrong lied in television commercials and in books. He made way more money off the lies than he did on the bike. Companies paid him big bank to show up and tell his story to their employees for a couple of hours. And while other guys lied about themselves when asked, he had to have others lie as well. Lots and lots of them. Cycling journos repeated lies, and continue to do so, as do television commentators, and thousands of other people.

You're not a hero for continuing to like the guy. It's nothing to shout from the roof tops. Woohoo - he's a liar, a cheat and an ***, but I love him anyway. Fine. He's going to be exposed for a LOT of things other than doping. And I imagine there's not a crime in the world that he could commit tomorrow that you couldn't justify, or feel he's entitled to, or that would change your opinion of him. Cool.

The rest of us have open minds, and opinions that vary. I was a fan when he first came back, and spent a number of hours every day reading articles and quoting and linking the positive ones about training and racing to save others time. Then, like a number of my online friends, the stuff didn't add up. Now I wouldn't give him a glass of water if he was on fire.

Enjoy your individuality. There are fewer of you every day.

 

[Oldman]

I read a few hours ago that this year Nike is giving the proceeds from the yellow bands to another cancer charity rather than Livestrong. That's kind of a big deal, if true.



http://www.cyclismag.com/article.php?sid=5988#ancre2

As for the Pledge Of Allegiance To Fandom, whatever. There was a really mean, self-proclaimed villain on Survivor named Russell. He'd do things like throw people's shoes in the fire while tribe mates slept. Some fans loved him, and he was so popular that he made the next season as well.

Personally, I respect honesty. Armstrong lied for years. Yes, other guys doped, and maybe once or twice a year, someone would ask them and they'd deny it. Armstrong lied in television commercials and in books. He made way more money off the lies than he did on the bike. Companies paid him big bank to show up and tell his story to their employees for a couple of hours. And while other guys lied about themselves when asked, he had to have others lie as well. Lots and lots of them. Cycling journos repeated lies, and continue to do so, as do television commentators, and thousands of other people.

You're not a hero for continuing to like the guy. It's nothing to shout from the roof tops. Woohoo - he's a liar, a cheat and an ***, but I love him anyway. Fine. He's going to be exposed for a LOT of things other than doping. And I imagine there's not a crime in the world that he could commit tomorrow that you couldn't justify, or feel he's entitled to, or that would change your opinion of him. Cool.

The rest of us have open minds, and opinions that vary. I was a fan when he first came back, and spent a number of hours every day reading articles and quoting and linking the positive ones about training and racing to save others time. Then, like a number of my online friends, the stuff didn't add up. Now I wouldn't give him a glass of water if he was on fire.

Enjoy your individuality. There are fewer of you every day.

Thanks. I feel better getting it out and you did all the thinking and typing. It'd be great if the one's not on a payroll did the same. Then the guys on LA's staff would finally go away.

 

[The Valley]

Well firstly....I don't equate doping to murder....he....and numerous others cheated in a bike race

The fact that he did....doesn't suddenly take away hope from cancer survivors....he survived, that is what gives people hope. He also worked incredibly hard and made a success of himself and in my opinion did nothing any different to his competitors

On the first point, I didn't equate doping with murder. I used an example to illustrate a moral point, a subtlety which appears to have eluded you.

On your second point, I would disagree. If you've been sold a message of hope and success, and that hope and success is based on a lie, then I'm pretty sure you'd feel more than a little aggrieved.

Interesting that you are prepared to accept Armstrong as a doper who consistently lies about his cheating, yet disparage Paul Kimmage, also a doper, who at least had the courage to confess.

Some people think that to win at all costs, whatever moral or ethical codes are crossed, is acceptable. Some people think "if everyone else is doing it, then it's okay", even when the thing being done is illegal or immoral.

I'm afraid I'm not one of them.

 

[R.0.t.O]

<yadda yadda yadda>
...hout dope he was just average"....well the evidence doesn't in anyway support your wish/ theory. The rules of the game were the same for everybody. "But it was just his doping programme that was better" they whine...."everyone knows it was sponsored by selling bikes on ebay or children into forced labour or dirty bombs to Al Qaeda"...or whatever the latest conspiracy it is that their fevered little minds can come up with. Well frankly, if his programme was better....good for him. I am sorry if this seems cynical....but if I saw Andy Schleck trying to take on Contador over the tourmalet on a brompton with a shopping basket on the front and toe straps, I wouldn't be whining about Contadors advantage....I'd be suggesting that Schleck find himself a new sponsor.

I admire Armstrong as a professional athlete. I admire his 7 tour wins. I admire the new audience he brought to cycling. I loved watching him....just as I loved watching Pantani....and Ullrich...and Indurain... I admire his comeback from serious illness. And I admire hugely the enormous good he has done in the continuing fight on Cancer and Cancer awareness. And you may hate that he made money while doing so....and that is your perogative, but i don't...You may hate the ubiquitous yellow wrist bands but they are a very simple reflection and barometer of the magnitude of his legacy. A lot of People love him. And always will.


And yes, some people hate him because or despite of everything I have said. And i don't wish to change your minds if you do. Just as I don't w... <R.0.t.o loses the will to live>

It's fair enough. Lots of sport is about irrationally following and supporting people that we don't really have any connection to, probably will never meet, but that we identify with. After a bit of time it's normal that it becomes important to us and that it doesn't die easily. I am a big fan of Jan Ullrich; things he's done disgust me (not the doping so much, but certainly the drink-driving) but I never knew the guy anyway and only admired him for being an awesome cyclist and inspiring me in my own racing.

If someone feels the same way about Armstrong and wants to say, 'yeah he's a tw@t, yeah he doped his t!ts off, yeah he bought-off and intimidated whoever it took in order to be successful, but I like watching him cycle up mountains' then that seems fair enough to me. Chwarae teg.

 

[unsheath]

The OP has the same moral compass as his beloved idol. Don't know why you guys bother engaging him.

 

[sars1981]

I read a few hours ago that this year Nike is giving the proceeds from the yellow bands to another cancer charity rather than Livestrong. That's kind of a big deal, if true.



http://www.cyclismag.com/article.php?sid=5988#ancre2

As for the Pledge Of Allegiance To Fandom, whatever. There was a really mean, self-proclaimed villain on Survivor named Russell. He'd do things like throw people's shoes in the fire while tribe mates slept. Some fans loved him, and he was so popular that he made the next season as well.

Personally, I respect honesty. Armstrong lied for years. Yes, other guys doped, and maybe once or twice a year, someone would ask them and they'd deny it. Armstrong lied in television commercials and in books. He made way more money off the lies than he did on the bike. Companies paid him big bank to show up and tell his story to their employees for a couple of hours. And while other guys lied about themselves when asked, he had to have others lie as well. Lots and lots of them. Cycling journos repeated lies, and continue to do so, as do television commentators, and thousands of other people.

You're not a hero for continuing to like the guy. It's nothing to shout from the roof tops. Woohoo - he's a liar, a cheat and an ***, but I love him anyway. Fine. He's going to be exposed for a LOT of things other than doping. And I imagine there's not a crime in the world that he could commit tomorrow that you couldn't justify, or feel he's entitled to, or that would change your opinion of him. Cool.

The rest of us have open minds, and opinions that vary. I was a fan when he first came back, and spent a number of hours every day reading articles and quoting and linking the positive ones about training and racing to save others time. Then, like a number of my online friends, the stuff didn't add up. Now I wouldn't give him a glass of water if he was on fire.

Enjoy your individuality. There are fewer of you every day.

Thumbs down on the Russell analogy. But apart from that, that was really quality post!

 

[straydog]

my my kids....you have been busy while I was away....there are toys all over this nursery!

I know what I have said has upset some of you....and I am truly sorry for you that someone holding an opinion that differs to yours fills you with such outrage. Life must be very frustrating generally for you. But hey, it's called freedom of speech....and thank god you are all mature enough not to resort to name calling, or metaphorically sticking your fingers in your ears, or even trying to shout down or "bully" anyone....cos you know apparently doing that makes you really really evil....

So....here, as a summation, is my opinion on where we are in this thread and what I have learned....and if you think it might upset you....then please look away now....really....do....I have no desire to upset your pretty little status quo:

With the exception of one point (which i will address later) absolutely nothing anything any of you who are members of the "I hate LA" club, have said has in anyway provided even the slightest credible, coherent or logical explanation of why he fills you all with such vitriol. And that really doesn't reflect well on you. Not one thing.

Sure, people have talked about what they are jealous of him for....the rock star girlfriend....the "entourage"....the riches....the admiration...if you are one of those in this club....it's ok....jealousy is understandable....you know what helps? Admitting it. Come to terms with it....trust me you will feel a lot better.

Some have spoken about what they have read or heard about his personality....he is ruthless....he is arrogant....he bullies people (which they would never do). To them I say this....are the people you admire infallible?....Incapable of human failings?....And have you ever stopped and asked any.... I repeat.... ANY.... questions about those who have told you these "truths" about him and their possible motivations?

To those who said he gave false hope....WHAT????....when did he ever do that? I haven't ever heard him say or even intimate, " I survived so you all will"....no what he said was " I survived so you can....it is possible....don't give up hope"....and he certainly never said "when you survive you too will win the tour"....that my friends would be false hope

To the guy who made the point about LA talking for "us" as cancer sufferers....I ,nor he, ever said he did....do you know what though? Those little yellow wrist bands some of you hate so much?...they say something....they say don't forget "us"....show your solidarity for "us"....and most importantly of all they say.... "we" are not alone....and for that "I" and many others will be forever grateful to him. And if you don't feel that way, that is your perogative, but please....allow me to also think those who think his enormous work raising awareness of cancer is some sort of master scheme for his eventual world domination or run at the White House or whatever this weeks conspiracy may be, are deluded or just very very dumb.

And to the guy who used murder as an example to prove a moral point....you didn't do it very well....that was why I rightly mentioned it.....the point being that committing murder and committing doping offences are not in any way on the same moral spectrum....it's like saying "when I was at school I stole from the local sweet shop....or cheated an exam....so does that make me as bad as a murderer?"....if you need it explaining again...I am sorry I can't help you.

And Lemond hasn't cast any innuendo? Ok aside from everything he has intimated or heard about LA, what about his comments about Contador's climbing stats from last years tour?.....based on that article he read....on the internet?

And why shouldn't I question his "legend"? (his word, from his website....don't you just hate braggers?) Do I believe he was clean?....When so many of those around him who he beat weren't?....Do you know what?....I wouldn't presume guilt...but I am allowed to be suspicious, and I can certainly ask. (Apropos his website...."innovator"? what innovation...the tri bars that Dave Scott was using in Hawaii?....like I said....braggers)

Ok....the one coherent point someone made....regarding Bassons. He was innocent in all this. I agree. But was he driven out by Armstrong? Was it just him?....Did he put a gun to his head? No....Basson's team....the entire peloton....even some journalists....the culture in cycling at the time. This is what made him decide to quit. To lay it all at Armstrong's door is usefully reductive to some, but misguided and naive none the less. Even Lemond at the time said that the dopers were victims of the culture...obviously until one of the victims eclipsed his record as the USA's most celebrated cyclist.

Ok almost done....to the self proclaimed experts on cycling coaching....why are you rambling and spewing your utter nonsense in an internet forum, rather than revolutionising the sports science world with you obvious brilliance? Ask yourself that....really think about it tonight as you go to sleep....as you try to keep those nagging rushes of impotence and frustration at bay....then please do post me links to your no doubt countless articles and I will glady show you up for the imbeciles you are.

And now Brad Wiggins is going to be the next victim of you ire for admiring Armstrong....for stating the obvious....that anyone who loves cycling would have to be stupid to not realise what he has done for the sport and those involved in it....funny cos he has actually met him...but hey he's "in love"....and even Emma O'Reilly doesn't use his name to try to sell her credibilty as a Physio on her website.

So finally...I thought about this today....and smiled:

To all the Armstrong haters and those who hope he is losing sleep over what you think or what horrible "fate" might befall him....Do you think that when Lance got off his private jet from France this week....stepped into his Maserati....drove to Juan Pelota ranch....sat by his pool.....looked at his beautiful wife....or if she wasn't there, conjured up some images from his wxnk bank of Kate Hudson....or the Olsen twins... put on his Sheryl Crowe CD....sipped his margerita and sat back....do you really think he thought, "Man...where did it all go wrong?"....mmmm

And let me say this....in that ideal world you Hateboys believe in....the one where we would have seen a "completely clean" run of tours from 99-05...do you know what? I firmly believe, that sat firmly at the front of all of them....winning all of them....riding the Pieser off his wheel....would have been a brash, cocky and inspirational Texan with one ball.

Chapeau Tex...Happy retirement!

 

[Kennf1]

To all the Armstrong haters and those who hope he is losing sleep over what you think or what horrible "fate" might befall him....Do you think that when Lance got off his private jet from France this week....stepped into his Maserati....drove to Juan Pelota ranch....sat by his pool.....looked at his beautiful wife....or if she wasn't there, conjured up some images from his wxnk bank of Kate Hudson....or the Olsen twins... put on his Sheryl Crowe CD....sipped his margerita and sat back....do you really think he thought, "Man...where did it all go wrong?"....mmmm

Glad that image made you smile. Pretty sure his ex-wife and current girlfriend would not share your view though.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

my my kids....you have been busy while I was away....there are toys all over this nursery!

<snipped for brevity>

Chapeau Tex...Happy retirement!

Aw, the scattergun effect - talk about the posters and offer little on the postings lots of strawmen in there that no-one said.

Why would anyone be jealous of a fraud?

Again - your position is clear - you "admire" people who cheat, that is quite fine by me and it is why Lance is an obvious draw for you- we can respectfully disagree.

But most importantly, Lance doesn't have a Maserati - he has a Ferrari

 

[straydog]

Thumbs down on the Russell analogy. But apart from that, that was really quality post!

And seriously?....it appears you are the one who is easily impressed

 

[Oldman]

Aw, the scattergun effect - talk about the posters and offer little on the postings lots of strawmen in there that no-one said.

Why would anyone be jealous of a fraud?

Again - your position is clear - you "admire" people who cheat, that is quite fine by me and it is why Lance is an obvious draw for you- we can respectfully disagree.

But most importantly, Lance doesn't have a Maserati - he has a Ferrari

The Michelob Ultra commercial shows and Escalade in his garage. I guess that is for when he hauls (all) the kids, or his ego gets to heavy.

 

[straydog]

Aw, the scattergun effect - talk about the posters and offer little on the postings lots of strawmen in there that no-one said.

Why would anyone be jealous of a fraud?

Again - your position is clear - you "admire" people who cheat, that is quite fine by me and it is why Lance is an obvious draw for you- we can respectfully disagree.

But most importantly, Lance doesn't have a Maserati - he has a Ferrari

ok...I enjoyed, albeit it briefly, the ferrari gag....but the rest of your post...Have a little look through the thread and see which posters were most "talked" about? I think you will find that was me

And i have offered plenty on the postings....you may not want to read them or agree with them or answer them, in which case allow me to draw my own conclusions.

The jealousy question....the reasons people gave for hating him are there for you to read....if you want to....

Do I admire "people who cheat"? Well my original post gave my view on that.

I am genuinely interested in one other thing....Who do the LA haters admire?

And i mean which cyclists, not Mother Theresa or Pope John Paul the Second....(which incidentally, if they do...there are a couple of books by Christopher Hitchens that they might not like to read)

Genuinely interested who their cycling heros are and why?

 

[mikkemus23]

how much does he pay you? PRS are at it with ads (see above) and justification...

 

[131313]

my thoughts as someone who's been accused of being a LA fanboy (because I think he's naturally much better than some claim) and a hater (because I think he's a pretty despicable character:

-he's pretty obsessed about what people think of him. If the Flandis thing turns him into Barry Bonds, he'll be pretty P.O'd. He really needs a positive legacy.

-your image of a happy Lance sitting by the pool doesn't square too well with what I know of the guy. Most of what I know is second hand (outside of him yelling at me when I refused to get out of his way for a feed). However, "happy" is about the last word that comes to mind. That dude is never going to be happy. He's fueled with an anger that makes Greg LeMond seem at peace. In a certain sense, I'm jealous of that rage. If I had it, I know I'd be a better bike racer. That sort of rage serves you well in competition, not so well in life.

-I think people dislike him for different reasons, but the biggest reason is that he's the playground bully, pure and simple. You have the whole cast of characters, the talented protagonist who is just as athletic as the playground bully, but nicer (Contador), the less-talented chamois-carrying sycophants (Hincapie), the weasally kid who tries hard but is afraid of the bully (Tyler), and the troubled kid who is "friends" with the playground bully, but always has a deep disdain for him...and turns on him when he ends up getting in trouble (Floyd even looks the part). You have the playground monitor who ignores our playground hero (but he's playing around with underage girls, so he can't really say anything...you can enter your own villain here). Then, you have the BMOC a-hole, pushing everyone around.

Many people empathize with these characters, and they simply hate the playground bully.

Folks like you look at the spoils the bully receives with admiration and figure, "hey, survival of the fittest". And I totally get that. It fills some others with a total rage over the whole thing, over the unfairness of it all. I get that, too.

As for me, I enjoy watching the whole train wreck, because I'm like that. I respect his determination and ability, I hate his abuse of others, but mostly I pity his general sense of unease. He doesn't strike me as a fellow who will ever really be at peace.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

ok...I enjoyed, albeit it briefly, the ferrari gag....but the rest of your post...Have a little look through the thread and see which posters were most "talked" about? I think you will find that was me

And i have offered plenty on the postings....you may not want to read them or agree with them or answer them, in which case allow me to draw my own conclusions.

The jealousy question....the reasons people gave for hating him are there for you to read....if you want to....

Do I admire "people who cheat"? Well my original post gave my view on that.

I am genuinely interested in one other thing....Who do the LA haters admire?

And i mean which cyclists, not Mother Theresa or Pope John Paul the Second....(which incidentally, if they do...there are a couple of books by Christopher Hitchens that they might not like to read)

Genuinely interested who their cycling heros are and why?

Well - you opened a thread, not on Lance, but on you "Why I will always be a 'fanboy', and proud of it"
Who were posters supposed to respond to, some of your strawmen, Mother Thersa, PopeJPII?

Again - your strawman, I am not a 'hater', but to answer your question, "Who do the LA haters admire?"
I enjoy this sport- and unlike you, I do not have to admire people.

 

[straydog]

Well - you opened a thread, not on Lance, but on you "Why I will always be a 'fanboy', and proud of it"
Who were posters supposed to respond to, some of your strawmen, Mother Thersa, PopeJPII?

Again - your strawman, I am not a 'hater', but to answer your question, "Who do the LA haters admire?"
I enjoy this sport- and unlike you, I do not have to admire people.

ha ha...that made me laugh more than the ferrari gag....back to your old ways....keep twisting and you might actually start to believe it

I don't have to admire anyone....i just do....and i am interested to see if you or some of those who share your opinions do....or if you hate everyone....in which case I am sorry for you


To 131313....interesting post ....genuinely

There has always got to be a "bad guy" or "bogey man" in the dramas people watch....otherwise there would be no conflict and hence no drama....i understand that....I just think that the evidence for casting LA in that role amongst the rest of the cast is pretty one dimensional....If you like....I prefer films with a bit more depth than disney.

Without LA most of the people I see as Haters would be bereft of their villain....although I am sure they will soon create a new one to fuel their own need to be angry....to have a scape goat to blame their own sense of inadequacy or injustice on....and that i genuinely pity.

As to LA's peace of mind in retirement....from what I know of him....and i don't wish to claim my opinion is any less second hand than yours....well maybe I do a bit....I think he will thoroughly enjoy spending time with his family and friends....trust me the guy has a very keen sense of compartmentilisation....and good luck to him for it....being a cyclist is over for him now....simple as that....he will find plenty of other things to put his insurmountable energy into.....and yes....he will use that mighty chip on his shoulder very very productively when he wants to.

Is he a bully?....well he has fought his corner....and other peoples incidentally.... very ably....has that ever gone too far?....possibly....and am I hypocritical or pompous or pious enough to condemn him for that?....well maybe if every single thing i had done in my life was admirable....and i had always behaved immaculately and without "sin"....just maybe then I might saddle up my high horse....but hey I haven't so i will continue admiring his achievements....and understanding and even sympathising with his fallibilties

I never thought i would do this...but here goes..."let he who is without sin cast the first stone"...."to err is human"....I aint divine so I will leave the second half of that bit to someone with a bit more authority