Indifferent Disillusion

So I thought I was enjoying a compelling daily drama for three weeks but then today I found out it was all a fraud. In one of the most unique Tours since 1986, Floyd Landis fought chronic pain and a blow up during the 16th stage for one of the more improbable wins in history. Now we are faced with the fact that after Landis won stage 17 he tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. Those of us who watched the race can't be all that surprised, because to lead the race by yourself over 4 mountain climbs does take a certain size of balls that i'm sure would carry some excess testosterone. This story just fuels the larger story of the moral corruption of athletes in anything-to-win society. I personally am left a little bit out in the cold on this story. If the 'b' sample comes back positive and effectively strips Landis of the title, an equally deserving rider will get the honor. Oscar Pereiro came back from 28 minutes down and then proceeded to have the strongest mountain stages and time trials of his career to hold the yellow jersey until the second to last day. Floyd Landis should not take illegal supplements and hormones to make himself better and if he is proven guilty I will be greatly saddened, but ultimately, I just don't care that much. This Tour was marred early by a doping scandal that claimed the top two contendors in the race, Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso, but to understand that this race and this sport is the entire lives of those who compete in it these athletes take risks. The health risk might be one we might not understand, but Floyd Landis has already competed to his peril and in less then a month he will be getting a new hip. So the risk of taking testosterone and throwing his body chemistry out of whack is hardly a leap. This is the exact same mentality that causes CEOs to risk their employees 4o1K programs or comedians to steal material.
By the way, comedians express more dismay when they hear someone steals material, then any person does when a large company has destroyed the lives of thousands American families. Now if you will excuse me, I have a Giants game to watch.

Hobbes