Why lie?
So Tammy Thomas is indicted for lying to federal authorities in the BALCO steroid case. According to the report she was to be granted immunity if she told the truth. Truth appears to be a hard thing for athletes to share with investigators in this day and age. Too many people are trying to skirt by with the "deny, deny" defense approach, especially when evidence mounts against them. That might work for former President Bill Clinton, but not a track cyclist from Mississippi.
What's the old saying, "It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission." I suppose in the sports world it may be better said by, "It's better to seek forgiveness than resist investigators or lie to the grand jury."
Federal investigators have a winning track record thus far in the BALCO investigation. My guess is if they're talking to you and asking you to come clean, then there's a damn good chance they already know what you know. Fess up brother, or better yet, come forward before you're even asked.
Both the BALCO founder and vice-president, Victor Conte and James Valente, were already convicted.
Barry Bonds' trainer Greg Anderson has been sent to jail for not coming clean.
Track coach Trevor Graham was indicted for lying to the grand jury. Graham coached elite track stars Marion Jones and Justin Gatlin to name a few. Yes, they both tested positive, but Jones' B sample exonerated her. Supposedly eight of his athletes have tested positive at some point.
Drug chemist Patrick Arnold was convicted for producing the drugs sold by BALCO. This is the guy who invented "the clear", which Barry Bonds used to rub on himself at the advice of trainer Greg Anderson.
Now, juxtapose this investigation with those of the alleged European doping variety of Lance Armstrong, Floyd Landis, Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso. Everyone involved in the BALCO case in the US are given a fair shot at defending themselves, and in the process were not considered guilty until proven innocent. Of course, when you won't talk and/or lie to a grand jury it's quite difficult to prove your innocence right?
In the Euro cycling world it's the complete opposite. You are publicly convicted without due process, you are administratively convicted without due process, you are convicted without documented protocol followed, you are occupationally convicted without due process, which leaves you flat out screwed in your attempts to have an objective judicial process to expedite your case. Can you imagine this flawed set of ideals and its affects on major sports like the NFL, NBA or MLB?
Why is this? I am truly dumbfounded at the significant differences. Someone smarter than me can surely explain , or am I simply wrong in my impression? It's not just one area where the US system varies, but the entire structure and cultural dynamics are a 180 degree opposite. It must be maddening if you're Floyd Landis and you're actually caught in the cross-fire.
Some of you may be asking yourselves what's all the fuss about BALCO for anyway, especially when prison sentences have been incredibly light. Good question.
To answer that I highly recommend reading "Wrist slaps, yes; but BALCO sentences matter." It's from Roger Cossack, the legal analyst for ESPN. If you've watch SportsCenter lately you know he's got a full-time job explaining the alleged criminal activities of athletes. Sadly, until some coaches and organizations man up and get rid of bad apples Cossack is assured his position.
Back on track here.....I agree with Cossack's explanation of the federal government's interest in bringing steroids to the forefront of everyone's mind. The feds just put steroids on their radar screen and athletes across America are now on alert. Previous penalties were light, yes, but laws have changed since this investigation began. Offenders can expect to spend more time behind bars in the future.
The bigger issue which has put the heat on athletes isn't the fact they may have actually taken steroids, but whether or not they lied to the grand jury during their testimony. Lying to a grand jury is no laughing matter, and according to Cossack if it's found that Bonds lied to the grand jury he will most certainly spend years, not months, in jail.
Different continents. Different styles. Different outcomes.
What's the old saying, "It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission." I suppose in the sports world it may be better said by, "It's better to seek forgiveness than resist investigators or lie to the grand jury."
Federal investigators have a winning track record thus far in the BALCO investigation. My guess is if they're talking to you and asking you to come clean, then there's a damn good chance they already know what you know. Fess up brother, or better yet, come forward before you're even asked.
Both the BALCO founder and vice-president, Victor Conte and James Valente, were already convicted.
Barry Bonds' trainer Greg Anderson has been sent to jail for not coming clean.
Track coach Trevor Graham was indicted for lying to the grand jury. Graham coached elite track stars Marion Jones and Justin Gatlin to name a few. Yes, they both tested positive, but Jones' B sample exonerated her. Supposedly eight of his athletes have tested positive at some point.
Drug chemist Patrick Arnold was convicted for producing the drugs sold by BALCO. This is the guy who invented "the clear", which Barry Bonds used to rub on himself at the advice of trainer Greg Anderson.
Now, juxtapose this investigation with those of the alleged European doping variety of Lance Armstrong, Floyd Landis, Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso. Everyone involved in the BALCO case in the US are given a fair shot at defending themselves, and in the process were not considered guilty until proven innocent. Of course, when you won't talk and/or lie to a grand jury it's quite difficult to prove your innocence right?
In the Euro cycling world it's the complete opposite. You are publicly convicted without due process, you are administratively convicted without due process, you are convicted without documented protocol followed, you are occupationally convicted without due process, which leaves you flat out screwed in your attempts to have an objective judicial process to expedite your case. Can you imagine this flawed set of ideals and its affects on major sports like the NFL, NBA or MLB?
Why is this? I am truly dumbfounded at the significant differences. Someone smarter than me can surely explain , or am I simply wrong in my impression? It's not just one area where the US system varies, but the entire structure and cultural dynamics are a 180 degree opposite. It must be maddening if you're Floyd Landis and you're actually caught in the cross-fire.
Some of you may be asking yourselves what's all the fuss about BALCO for anyway, especially when prison sentences have been incredibly light. Good question.
To answer that I highly recommend reading "Wrist slaps, yes; but BALCO sentences matter." It's from Roger Cossack, the legal analyst for ESPN. If you've watch SportsCenter lately you know he's got a full-time job explaining the alleged criminal activities of athletes. Sadly, until some coaches and organizations man up and get rid of bad apples Cossack is assured his position.
Back on track here.....I agree with Cossack's explanation of the federal government's interest in bringing steroids to the forefront of everyone's mind. The feds just put steroids on their radar screen and athletes across America are now on alert. Previous penalties were light, yes, but laws have changed since this investigation began. Offenders can expect to spend more time behind bars in the future.
The bigger issue which has put the heat on athletes isn't the fact they may have actually taken steroids, but whether or not they lied to the grand jury during their testimony. Lying to a grand jury is no laughing matter, and according to Cossack if it's found that Bonds lied to the grand jury he will most certainly spend years, not months, in jail.
Different continents. Different styles. Different outcomes.
posted by NashvilleCyclist.com at 12/19/2006 09:25:00 PM
3 Comments:
i don't get it....how is floyd caught in the crossfire? he failed a drug test. it's pretty straightforward, no?
Patrick
What I meant with my Landis reference is that the treatment he and others have received is far less fair than what those involved in BALCO have received. In other words, he's dodging bullets left and right from the authorities in way that has him hanging from a noose already. BALCO defendants are not dodging the same bullets as Euro-pro cyclists, well, not before due process takes place.
I don't mean to infer Landis et al would end up testing negative in the US, but only they wouldn't be facing the same malfeasance if it were all handled here in the US.
i have to say that, for the most part, i can't see how floyd has been treated unfairly. yes, there were some typical euro quirks regarding the dissemination of information. no question. but the fact remains that he tested positive for a banned substance, and was subsequently disciplined according to the rules. isn't that how it's supposed to work?
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