quote:Given the unorthodox nature of Armstrong's candidacy, the overriding question is, Why? Why Armstrong? Why the Presidency?
To that, Armstrong had an immediate answer: "I overcame brain, lung and testicular cancer and then I won the Tour de France five years in a row. Did George Bush ever overcome cancer and then win the Tour de France five years in a row? Did John Kerry? I didn't think so. But I did. I did that," adding, "Me."
Still, there is plenty of concern that Armstrong is adding his name to the ballot a little too late in the game. After all, Bush and Kerry have been trading barbs with vigorous ad campaigns for months now, so it may be tough for Armstrong to garner enough support to pull off an improbable upset this November. Armstrong, however, remains unconcerned about his late arrival to the race.
"Are you kidding? The media loves me," the überhuman Armstrong said. "They've turned me into a God. I've got all the support I need. I was on the cover of 37 magazines last month alone, for Pete's sake. Plus, the mainstream media has conveniently ignored the damning evidence concerning my alleged steroid abuse. I mean, Barry Bonds has been vilified by the press for his ties to the BALCO scandal. On the other hand, my significant ties to steroids have been all but overlooked. So what if I've worked closely with Michele Ferrari, the Italian doctor who is on trial and charged with supplying EPO and other illegal performance-enhancers? So what if I supposedly tested positive for steroids in 1999 (according to author David Walsh and others)? Nobody wants to hear that. They love me. My story is an inspiration to all. I'm an American hero. Don't you guys read the papers?!"
Despite his popularity, Armstrong has his share of critics--those who point to the fact that he has no military record nor any sort of political experience. But Armstrong brushes such criticisms aside.
"Talk about picking nits," Armstrong quipped. "John Kerry may have an impressive military record, and George Bush may have created 900,000 jobs. But I overcame brain, lung and testicular cancer and then won the Tour de France five years in a row. I make John Kerry look like a sissy girl."
Now perhaps this is in the vein of the Onion, but it isn't anywhere near the sense of humor that the Onion posesses. My question is, if this was forwarded to the Lance Armstrong publicity people do you think charges would get pressed for libel?
I realize that it was supposed to be a parody,and maybe I need to lighten up and buy a sense of humor but it seems awfully malicious to me.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I'm also dissapointed that OSC supports this trash. There's freedom of speech, but also Good Taste...
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
In the columnists defense, I have skimmed other stuff of his, and most of it isn't bad. Much lighter hearted and less vindictive.
Maybe it is a context thing, and everyone on ornery knew what he was up to. But for someone reading him for the first time the Armstrong article was a huge turnoff.
AJ
Posted by suntranafs (Member # 3318) on :
no why would he bother with such a loser.
quote: To that, Armstrong had an immediate answer: "I overcame brain, lung and testicular cancer and then I won the Tour de France five years in a row. Did George Bush ever overcome cancer and then win the Tour de France five years in a row? Did John Kerry? I didn't think so. But I did. I did that," adding, "Me."
Yep. I'll vote for him over Bush or Kerry, 6 days a week and twice on sunday.
quote: "Are you kidding? The media loves me," the überhuman Armstrong said. "They've turned me into a God.
No they've got that wrong, he is a God, media non-issue.
quote: I'm an American hero. Don't you guys read the papers?!"
American hero? AMERICAN hero???? wake up idiots he's a world hero. He's won the greatest bike race in the world more consecutive times than any human being who has ever lived coming out of cancer rehab.
quote: the mainstream media has conveniently ignored the damning evidence concerning my alleged steroid abuse. I mean, Barry Bonds has been vilified by the press for his ties to the BALCO scandal. On the other hand, my significant ties to steroids have been all but overlooked. So what if I've worked closely with Michele Ferrari, the Italian doctor who is on trial and charged with supplying EPO and other illegal performance-enhancers? So what if I supposedly tested positive for steroids in 1999
Heck if they're that good pass dem steroids on Down!!!