[synack]

Originally Posted by superj

Lots of people pay Ferrari lots of money. Doesn't mean they are doing any type of drug.

Oh we'll, it's all said and done anyways. He cannot come back and be the role model for people he used to be

You would be surprised how forgiving people can be. Depends a lot on how he plays it out.

[Merlincustom]

http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/World_Anti-Doping_Program/WADP-The-Code/WADA_Anti-Doping_CODE_2009_EN.pdf

Scroll to WADA 10.5.3. The best LA can hope for is a reduction to 8 years. He'll be 49 before he can bop around in sanctioned underpants events. Until then, the world is safe from just one more self absorbed age group triathlete.

[salvage_bikes]

I still think he didn't do it but I wouldn't put it past him to spit out a "confession" if he could get back into the game. He is mad about cycling, likes the competition. I think he should just retire and say F* it all, sit on his laurels, and buy some golf clubs, but I don't think he will do that.

Anyway, what's keeping him from mountain biking or running HPVs if he still wants to compete? Screw the UCI and Tygart. hahahhaa. There is a reason why "arbitrary" is an unpleasant word.

[salvage_bikes]

How come USAtoday can't name any of it's sources? What a bunch of wimps.

[Merlincustom]

Originally Posted by salvage_bikes

How come USAtoday can't name any of it's sources? What a bunch of wimps.

The story was given to the New York Times. USA Today just picked it off the wire. The sources are Armstrong's own people. They're floating a trial balloon to see which way the wind's blowing. Sources request anonymity all the time, for various reasons. A paper's confidence level in going with a story turns on who the source is and/or other independent facts at their disposal confirming the reporting.

I have to credit the Armstrong propaganda machine. It has you thinking that an LA confession will be a lie, just so he can compete again.

[salvage_bikes]

It's not Lance's "propaganda machine" that has me convinced. It's the creep Tygart and the way the arbitrators just decided they were going to screw over Lance one way or the other. I don't think he's going to confess anything. Probably if anything he will bait the press and then give them all the 2 gun salute. hahahhaa.

UCI is overrated anyway. New events and leagues will form.

[salvage_bikes]

NYT are losers, especially if such a big deal newspaper can't quote sources. It's a non story. To me, "anonymous sources" means "made up crap".

[kneedrachen]

I have to say, I have to pull back all of my support for him. After doing quite a bit of reading, I had no idea what a polished turd he was/is. Intimidation, blackmail. Self-absorbed. Classless (IMHO).

Now I know why the French despise him. From what I am reading, when stuff didn't go his way with fanfare, he would essentially "take his toys and go home."

Yeah, he did a lot of great for cancer awareness, but jeezus, he ruined a lot of people's careers, finances and reputations.

Whatever he gets, it won't be enough for having pulled the wool over our eyes (mine included).

I actually have a copy of "It's Not About The Bike", unopened. I honestly feel sick at the thought of reading it.

[Merlincustom]

Originally Posted by salvage_bikes

NYT are losers, especially if such a big deal newspaper can't quote sources. It's a non story. To me, "anonymous sources" means "made up crap".

You're painting with a broad brush. Journalists wouldn't have broken the Pentagon Papers and Watergate without anonymous sources. But in the Times article, those sources were Armstrong's people. Count on it.

[synack]

I will agree that journalistic integrity has almost vanished, but Merlin is dead on with this one. Anonymous sources are necessary in some cases to put pressure, or to investigate, and dig deeper into a story. Yes, sometimes "anonymous sources" are used for propaganda. It's a necessary evil.