DUers' Reactions To Lance Armstrong's Meeting W/Bush Are Shameful.

[KittyWampus]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1715534

Armstrong is lobbying for cancer research and funding. He has a chance to meet the President.

When you're active in the political arena... you have to meet with others whose politics you might not agree with, ESPECIALLY IF THEY BELONG TO THE PARTY IN POWER.

It's called the real world. And the DU'ers shitting on Armstrong need to consider turning off their computers and joining it.

One must imagine a large percentage of DU'ers must never have had a public position of power where part of the job specifically meant having to APPEAR nice to those you don't like.

[hippiepunk]

1. Amen.

:applause:

[Lars39]

2. Did I miss the part where he stopped at Camp Casey before or after

his meeting with Bush?

[KittyWampus]

5. that MIGHT detract from HIS objective which is FUNDING CANCER

the world doesn't begin and end with YOUR chosen political agenda.

[Lars39]

13. Decaf helps.

[BiggJawn]

Indeed.

Why don't you have some?

[KittyWampus]

18. so does a basic understanding of how people actually get things done

[Lars39]

22. Yes, in this dog eat dog country we're in, we have to rely on celebrities

to get our elected officials to do the right thing.
And most people view this as normal.
How many people that bought the yellow bracelet have actually put pressure on those elected officials to fund cancer research? Was it a just a "feel-good" purchase for most? A way to look cool?

[Gay Green]

69. Yes.

.

[frankly_fedup2]

90. Okay Cheryl . . .we know it's you girl. (lol)

[Walt Starr]

99. When it comes to the money I earn, the world DOES begin and end

with my chosen political agenda.

No more money for Livestrong and I urge all others to do the same.

[frankly_fedup2]

135. Could anybody believe Bush's arrogance even with an athelete that

NO ONE can beat? He had to ride up front the whole time. Armstrong laid back after he could obviously see that Bush had to be in the front.

I don't think Bush is short; however, I think he has the small dog who thinks he is a big dog syndrome. You know, a 2 lb dog will run to attack a lab and from pure intimidation, the lab will run or back off. Pathetic.

[driver8]

222. Why shouldn't we give money to Livestrong?? I don't get it.

Maybe I'm a little obtuse today, I don't know. My mother in law has been fighting skin cancer for a year now. She bought us all yellow bracelets and I wear mine with pride.

[Walt Starr]

231. If you want to, go ahead

Livestrong won't get another penny from me.

[Donailin]

100. If an illegal war isn't every Americans agenda, then something is

fucking wrong with them. And that includes Armstrong.

[Freedomfried]

103. Right fucking on!

Screw Lance Armstrong, he's on the shit list for good!

[natrat]

255. screw you lance

i dont care if your cause is to rid the world of evil-sleep with dogs wake up with flees

[titoresque]

162. ditto!

[frankly_fedup2]

148. I'm afraid this Country is going to begin and end with our chosen

political agendas. Look at how Bush has almost destroyed this country. He has done it with big corporations political agendas, the so-called religious rights's political agendas, the NRA's political agendas . . . should I go on???

We think it is bad now, wait until Dumbya gets ready to leave office (unless they change the constitution and get rid of voting altogether) Far fetched, but stealing a Presidential Election is as far fetched to me, yet it happened. What's next, go into Iraq?

The end of an era is at hand. Our Country is being destroyed right in front of our own eyes, yet I cannot imagine those that support what Bush is doing and has done or is planning on doing. They say it's because he is a good "CHRISTIAN". How do they know this . . . just because he said he is. How can a person be loyal to the "Skull and Bones" and yet still claim to be a "CHRISTIAN." They sound like a Pagan Group; however, those who are members, will claim to be Christians. I thought being a Christian was living "Christ like". Doesn't make sense to me.

[Greyhound]

225. Oh man are you behind the times

"christians" stopped listening/following Christ decades ago.
Now listen and repeat until the buzzing stops;
Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God, Greed is Good, Greed is God...

[timtom]

237. You may be right

to some degree.

It is true that there is a number within the group known as "Christians" who reflect very unChristlike sentiments and beliefs. But, in no way do they represent the majority. They are only louder.

A more accurate statement might be "some 'christians' stopped listening/following Christ decades ago."

[Greyhound]

284. As a non-christian I defer to your belief.

I just haven't encountered it in my dealings with them. :shrug:

[jlseagull]

280. Did anyone even tell him...?

Did anyone tell Lance that it might be to his benefit to stop there? Celebrities and sports heroes are often very insulated from the news and the people, it's possible that Lance doesn't even know about Camp Casey - of if he does, he's not aware of its significance. The man doesn't have time to read the news and extract all of the subtleties.

For example, here's his <a href="http://www.lancearmstrong.com/lance/guests.nsf/newviewguests">guestbook</a>.

I think there's an email address on there as well.

What about letters to the editor?

So if you think the man can do something politically important, don't rely on him to figure it out - try and tell the guy.

[bluestateguy]

3. Agreed

It's not like he went to a Bush fundraiser.

Armstrong opposes the war, maybe he can get a word in edgewise with the war's cheif architect, unlike Cindy Sheehan.

[Walt Starr]

233. Being in a photo op with the evil man was tanamount

to a fundraiser, IMO.

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. Have you seen the picture?

I haven't read what others here are saying about the meeting/bike ride, but the photo is quite hilarious -- it shows Dubya slightly ahead of 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.


http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/050820/photos_ts_afp/050820194843_s564yxaw_photo0

[murielm99]

11. Sorta like the time he shoved past Clinton, who had just had

heart surgery, at the opening of the Clinton library. * has no class, no sense of protocol or humanity. And he thinks he always has to be first. Being born with a silver spoon in your mouth and cheating your way to the top will do that to a person, I guess.

[me b zola]

213. Besides having no class & having been born with a silver foot in his mouth

...some of his actions are clearly displaying his "little tyrant syndrome". Charles Chaplin did a great job of portraying this in "The Great Dictator". Chaplin could have based his writing & portrayal of shrub instead of hitler, had shrub been around 60+ years ago.

[papau]

21. Lance believes in the rights of the rich/corporate - and said Bush was in

front because being President he had a right to be in front.

Ass kissing for cancer funding is certainly an approach one can choose - and it most certainly is real world in our GOP world - but I would think both cancer funding and Lance would be better off if he had not done so. Bush wants the photo-op, and he prides himself on how his hard heart is not changed by the non-monied folks and the lobbying of do-gooders that are not part of the right wing Christian, no tax rich coalition that is the GOP.

[Montauk6]

46. And, not for nothing, but worse things have been said about Jerry Lewis

[Gay Green]

73. Lance was probably informed he would have to let * always be first

or he would be sent to Guantanamo.

[driver8]

223. If I was Lance, I would have blown past dubya so fast his head

would spin. He could then run to his poppy and mommy and tell them how mean I was.

"Daddy! Mommy! That mean Lance wouldn't let georgy win! I'm the president...I am, I am, I am, I am!!!"


"Now, now georgy...not everyone always plays fair like you do."

"But they have to let me win! I'm the president!"

"We know georgy...but not everyone believes that. Have some cookies and milk."

"Thanks mommy."

[Swamp Rat]

6. Thank you. n/t

[Bluebear]

54. Sorry mate!

We finally part ways but always pals!

[Swamp Rat]

194. Actually...

I don't agree with the OP, exactly, but I am waiting to hear what it was all about ("the bike ride"). In other words, I don't know enough to slam Armstrong or praise him at this time (I still haven't checked the news about this - I left to eat crawfish etoufeé :9 )... I probably shouldn't have written "thank you" in the post above, but I hadn't slept for 24 hours and wasn't thinking straight. Bad me. :spank: :D

[tx_dem41]

196. No, Swampie. Bad you for eating crawfish etoufee....

and telling us etoufee-deprived about it. That's very very bad.

[Swamp Rat]

201. LOL!

Don't feel too bad. It was "Copelands." It was good, but not like "Mother's." I went with an old high school chum, you probably know from BFHS. ;)

[tx_dem41]

202. I'm sure I do. And, bad you again for mentioning Mother's!

I'm 525 miles from Mother's, with no chance in hell of getting there for breakfast, Swampie. You're killing me here! :)

[Bluebear]

208. MMMMm etouffee! :)

[idlisambar]

7. Agreed, a little more perspective is needed n/t

[DS1]

8. Not so much shameful, more predictable, insecure, blowhardish

and holier-than-thou

[punpirate]

9. Bush doesn't give a shit about...

... cancer research.

Armstrong would be better off following Barry Crimmins' advice: never shake hands with a war criminal.

Cheers.

[KittyWampus]

14. Yeah, but you can use him as a stepping stone on your way to the money

[punpirate]

31. In this case, I think it was Armstrong being used...

... for yet another opportunity to make Bush look good.

There are many other ways to gain access to research donations. Bush is simply more interested in raising money for his Republican friends and his campaigns.

Let me ask this, because I don't recall this happening. Has Bush used his personal appearances and the power of his office since first being elected as president in fundraisers for medical research? I can't recall any instances of that. I do recall many, many, many instances of him using official time and public resources to raise money for political purposes. It's not as if he simply didn't have time to address those other fundraising needs.

Cheers.

[burythehatchet]

98. that's precisely the issue

its not like Karl is going to reallocate some money to cancer.

[ray of light]

10. sorry to rain on your comment too, but

Cindy gave the ultimate sacrifice to this country and he won't spend 5 minutes with her?

Sorry, he's an insensitive, callous, self-serving political hack and he was using lance to try to take the heat off Cindy because Lance has a good name and a cause. Anything to divert from the ultimate sacrifice to his lies and his sins.

[DS1]

16. Did you spend time with her?

Yet?

[ray of light]

114. me? You betcha! and I've been working my butt off for her for the last 4

months since I first met her.

[name not needed]

48. She gave the ultimate sacrifice to this country?

What the fuck are you talking about?

[ray of light]

115. gee...losing your beloved child to this false war isn't the ultimate

sacrifice?

[Catholic Sensation]

49. he already spent time with her

i wish people would say "again" or "more" when discussing cindy meeting with Bush.

[Bluebear]

52. Yes that is quite the RW point

I am hearing that phrase a bunch.

[Catholic Sensation]

55. did he, or didn't he meet with her?

has she or hasn't she said that last year he met with her? When you all demand he meet with her you act as though he's never even seen her before. How about being intellectually honest and saying "Bush should meet with Cindy Sheehan again" or "Bush should meet with Cindy Sheehan alone" instead of acting as though the two haven't ever been in the other's presence?

[Lars39]

61. "Bush" and "intellectually honest" in one sentence is quite a feat.

I'm sure you've read Cindy's description of their meeting.
The meeting that occurred before the Downing Street Minutes were revealed?

[Catholic Sensation]

64. And how's this meeting going to be any different

Bush isn't any more intelligent since their meeting, how will this meeting be any more satisfactory?

yes, the Downing Street Memos certainly were news :eyes: did you think that Bush decided to go into Iraq militarily AFTER his speech at the UN? Did you not think the intelligence was "fixed" before the war started? The DSM shouldn't have shocked anyone who was anti-war, and yet I'm surprised how it seems that reactions imply that the DSM are revealing.

Maybe I was too cynical before May...

[Lars39]

77. She can ask him the tough questions.

The ones his staff usually shield him from.

[Catholic Sensation]

137. and when he gives her standard answers he always gives

will she feel better?

[Bluebear]

63. Did he know her name before this month?

Or did he know her as "Mom" who lost a "loved one".

[Catholic Sensation]

67. will he remember her name in two?

no, because he's going to continue doing whatever shit he has planned and forget this whole thing ever happened as is his modus operandi.

[burythehatchet]

94. have there, or have there not been more facts revealed that

expose the lies SINCE the time they met? Quit spouting RW talking points.

[Catholic Sensation]

139. so the revelations that everyone already believed beforehand

means the previous meeting never happened? She met him once, to claim he never did is a lie. I'm not saying she shouldn't meet him again, but that this acting as though they've never met is simply dishonest, and quite frankly, stupid.

[titoresque]

160. Holy Shit!

Are you seriously missing the whole freek'n point here??????
Maybe your little FYI's would be better received in the "Ban Tye-Dye!!" circle..or perhaps the "Cindy shouldn't say bad words circle"

You think Cindy is stupid? You think she really anticipates a meeting where the Fuhrer-in-Cheif will actually articulate real feeling and emotion much less give her an answer that is honest?!

Yes, she should be able to expect ANOTHER meeting.....SHE PAY'S THE ASSHOLE!!!!!!!! It's obvious that he's not "working" why shouldnt he meet with her??? If he had a real reason, if he wasnt a lying bastard son-of-a-bitch callous serial killing slime bucket......HE WOULD...............AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

[Catholic Sensation]

163. i think you stopped reading my post after the first sentence

Or you picked which words in my post you wanted to read or something because nowhere did i say cindy is stupid. Nowhere did I say she shouldn't be able to meet him again. I said acting as though he never met her is stupid.

Now judging by your reply, this is how I'm going to assume you're going to read my reply:

I think you picked my post because i say cindy is stupid. I say she shouldn't be able to meet him again. I said her is stupid.

[titoresque]

167. Ok so if everyone stops

repeating it the way you say we/them/they shouldn't and we/them/they start saying "MEET WITH CINDY AGAIN!"

What little nit picky thing will you go after next?

I won't put words in your mouth...you're doing a slendid job on your own!

[titoresque]

171. I havent been here long but

Ive read this poster and all I've seen are RW points!
Even a Newbie can read thru the shit........and it stinks CS!

[tx_dem41]

198. Putting "fighting cancer" before politics is a RW talking point.

Got it. Thanks for playing. :eyes:

[titoresque]

207. yeah go back and read the

little thread within the thread....
My reference to CS wasnt about Cancer....

thanks for paying attention. :sarcasm: :rofl:

[Donailin]

101. how about we say "before" she learned that the intelligence was

fixed to fit the pollicy???

Sheesh.

[ray of light]

118. moot point. when he spent time with those he was "honoring'

and whose names he didn't even want to know, SHE new NOTHING of the Downing Street Meeting (Minutes) that gave the ULTIMATE proof that Bush set up this false war and HE attacked Iraq before going to congress.

[Catholic Sensation]

140. you mean Secretary O'Neil's revelation of the memo

in Ron Suskind's book didn't already do it? He didn't attack Iraq before going to congress, he wanted to attack Iraq before going to congress.

[txindy]

132. That doesn't matter

There are other Gold Star parents at Camp Casey that Junior has NEVER met with. What's his excuse for not seeing them, then, hmmm? Too many blisters from cycling? :eyes:

[Catholic Sensation]

141. he has Segway's to crash

[txindy]

150. Probably so!

I'm just amazed they let him handle power tools while 'clearing brush'. Or maybe they're 'Fisher-Price' brand tools. ;)

[quiet.american]

12. I don't think it's shameful. He refers to Bush as "his friend."

This is not the first time he's "met" with Bush. Apparently, they are "buds." Of course, he's perfectly entitled to his choice of friends, and the rest of the world is entitled to its opinion of his choices.

I admire him for his willpower in triumphing over cancer and in the Tour de France, but am weary of the "treat Lance like a deity" thing.

[KittyWampus]

29. fair enough.

[quiet.american]

56. Sincerely -- thanks for listening. n/t

[SeanQuinn]

15. Agreed. This quote is good enough for me.

From "The Times" in 2004 on Iraq:

"I don't like what the war has done to our country, to our economy. My kids will be paying for this war for some time to come. George Bush is a friend of mine and just as I say it to you, I'd say to him, 'Mr President, I'm not sure this war was such a good idea', and the good thing about him is he could take that."

[Gay Green]

78. If he said that to * today I could bet all the tea in China that

he and * are no longer friends, or even on speaking terms.

[SeanQuinn]

122. I'd be against you.

"I don't like what the war has done to our country, to our economy. My kids will be paying for this war for some time to come. George Bush is a friend of mine and just as I say it to you, I'd say to him, 'Mr President, I'm not sure this war was such a good idea', and the good thing about him is he could take that."

Emphasis mine. I see * as someone who can take disagreement, then competely ignore you like you didn't even disagree with him. Then he'd report the disagreement to his cronies and they'd make sure your pestery disagreement doesn't come up.

Maybe it's like that for Lance, but not for Cindy, I suppose.

[me b zola]

217. Friends with a mass murderer?

A mass murderer who is destroying this country and doing his best to destroy the rest of the world? How does one befriend someone like that?

Sorry. My friends are human and have faults. I love them all in spite of their faults--as they do me. But that is a far cry from aligning yourself to the likes of any of the BFEE. Evil is evil, and I don't want it anywhere around me.

Would you feel the same if he were friends with Charles Manson?

How about Hitler?

Evil incarnate needs to be dropped into a dark hole, never to escape where it can do harm again, to be ignored by humanity for the rest of it's "natural life".

[tx_dem41]

220. I think I saw that movie once. n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

235. And the good thing about him is he could take that."

:eyes: So Lance wouldn't get the "Who cares what you think" reply from the arrogant little worm bush**? :rofl:

[Liberal In Texas]

Thank you for saying what I was thinking. n/t

[bliss_eternal]

17. I guess I missed some earlier posts--just signing on.

I'll do a search.

Just wanted to weigh in as pro-Armstrong if he gets support for Cancer research.

:thumbsup:

[Gay Green]

79. Problem is, he won't.

Bush is a user. :mad:

[DancingBear]

19. No- the rules no longer apply

This is not tit for tat in the political world.

The killing bastard will use this to feather his own personal agenda - Armstrong will get crumbs.

What happens if it turns out stem cell research is the way to go??

This man is a murderer - plain and simple - a psychotic shell of a man who sees good in no one, lest they can help him further his own horrific ambitions.

In Crawford, a woman sits in the blistering heat waiting to hear why her son died for a lie.

Two miles away, a murderer bicycles and goes for a swim, because he just has to get on with his life.

It's called the real world.

[in_cog_ni_to]

24. Perspective. It's a GOOD THING!

:hi:

[LoZoccolo]

25. And Lance telling Bush* to fuck off will do...

...what?

[DancingBear]

32. Here's what this visit will do

The murderer will come forth and slur the following words:

"Yep, had a good ride today - almost beat my buddy Lance there, heh-heh.

Talked a little bit - don't agree on everything, but that's what makes America."

The hilarious thing about some folks here is that they actually BELIEVE the fuck wad has even the SLIGHTEST bit of compassion for Mr. Armstrong's cause.

This was "take the heat off by visiting with Lance" day - that's all it was.

To think otherwise is folly, for I repeat again that this is not your father's political landscape.

In answer to the question, telling Bush to fuck off will drive his standing lower, make him look the fool - for even a native Texan refuses to meet with him, and maybe, just maybe, keep a kid or alive by ending this horror in Iraq one day sooner.

As for me, I would have even written a check.

Get back to me when ZERO "Armstrong dollars" show up in the next budget - I'll go easy on you.

[LoZoccolo]

34. You won't go easy or hard on me.

Because I likely won't be able to read what you wrote.

:hi:

[DancingBear]

39. Oh, how cute

C'est la vie!!

(Tish, that's French...)

[Donailin]

40. I'm with you. nt.

[smirkymonkey]

272. Hear, hear!

It amazes me that many others on this post don't see it this clearly. It's such a whore fest and nothing but a display of vulgar opportunism.

I never liked Lance Armstrong anyway...he always seemed to display the kind of arrogance that the Chimp is so famous for. Except that Lance's is slightly justified.

[Maru Kitteh]

20. This is probably the first time he's heard a dissenting opinion in ages

That, at least, is a good thing.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

26. How do you know he heard a dissenting opinion?

[KittyWampus]

28. how do you know or presume he didn't?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

30. I don't know that he DIDN'T but I certainly wouldn't assume that Lance

Armstrong gave him a dissenting opinion, as the other post that I was replying to implies.

[LoZoccolo]

23. Are you surprised?

People come here for a two minutes hate, not to try and plan out how to get what they want.

[Placebo]

27. You said it.

:thumbsup:

[raysr]

33. Too many of

these cel-ebs get turned. Said it before, one nut meets no-nuts!

[JanMichael]

35. Oh get the hell over it. Of course people are upset with Lance on DU

Jesus Christ, he went bike riding with Satan himfuckingself.

what do you want, all happy clappy "Lance is Lance...and married to the Liberal Goddess (or just dating...whatever) herself...therefore he cannot fall from Grace..."

Screw that.

Think about this: number of people dead worldwide in the past 50 years from war, and war related diseases...vs premature cancer deaths in the US.

Hellloooooo

[tx_dem41]

133. I love how this forum becomes such an ugly hate-fest.

Now we appear to be discounting the impact of cancer. Disgusting.

[Walt Starr]

234. War kills more people every year than cancer

We're just prioritizing.

[tx_dem41]

236. Its sad you feel you have to prioritize.

With such prioritization, nothing gets done.

[Walt Starr]

240. My resources are not infinite, thus I must prioritize

If a charity does not fit in with my politics, I won't donate.

My refusal to donate to Livestrong from here on out is no different than my refusal to donate to Pat Robem$ome's Operation Blessing.

[0007]

172. Absolutely, and if Lance had this bike ride before the Tour de France

race, he'd been booed at every turn. Lance goes which ever way the wind blows. Fuck him!

[damntexdem]

36. I haven't seen those threads.

I simply ignore Armstrong's efforts with Dubya. It's irrelevant to what needs to get done. And Dubya is not going to change his polls by cycling with Lance. Actually, Dubya's cycling, with or without Lance, has become an embarrassment, as in: Ïf he can cycle for two hours a day, why can't he meet with Cindy?"

Just try to ignore the Armstrong thing.

[lildreamer316]

37. Yes they are and I said so in the other thread. Thank you.

That reaction (other thread) was retarded and I hope we can all be a little more grown up now. Geez.

[existentialist]

38. appearing nice to those you don't like

I guess that missed the DU comments re Lance Armstrong. Probably part of my philosophy that makes it almost impossible to care about gossip about public persons no doubt.

I don't think I've said anything about Lance Armstrong, but I have definitely held a public position of (extremely modest) power where I have had to appear nice to those I haven't liked, and I understand that.

I have not criticized Lance Armstrong.

I do not think, however, that I personally could accept an invitation to Bush's Crawford retreat.

(Unless, of course, it was an invitation to accompany Cindy Sheehan for such a visit so she could ask Bush the questions she wants to ask.)

[QC]

41. But that's how we do things here. We either love or hate absolutely,

and it takes hardly anything to make us switch from one to the other. We can adore someone like, say, Jon Stewart, until he fails to eviscerate a wingnut guest to out liking, at which point eight or ten threads appear denouncing him as a BFEEPNACIBMLIHOPMIHOP plant.

Yeah, it's silly, but par for the course.

[Donailin]

47. Simply NOT. FUCKING. TRUE.

we are the party who has forgiven, forotten, and let slide a gazillion things about many politicians, always holding out hope that they can do the right thing -- THE NEXT TIME.

Everyone that meets with Bush comes away enchanted, charmed, swept off their feet because he is such a likable downhome guy who seems genuine.

His actions speak louder than any words, and his actions MAKE PEOPLE POOR, DESTITUE, ROYALLY SCREWED or DEAD.

I' a small business owner. Half of my customers are republican. Those people I can talk to, those people I make an effort with. We are not talking aboput harmless republicans who are brainwashed, we are talking about the worst president in American History, the guy who fakes compassion, who sends people off to their death with no conscience, the guy who steals out money and gives it to his rich friends.

People, we are talking about George Bush for fuck's sake!

[QC]

50. You must be new around here. n/t

[Donailin]

95. New enough to recal thatt those who despised Kerry in the primaries

rooted for him in the election.

And those who didn't want Dean now realize he may be the only voice of reason.

[QC]

157. Yes, we can get together when finally forced to.

In the meantime, though, we love to build up idols and then pull them off their pedestals. Check out last night's Bill Maher threads if you don't believe me. He's been widely admired for years here, and he actually did confront Phyllis Schlaffley with the fact that her own son is gay, but he didn't do it viciously enough, so there were four or five threads denouncing him as a sellout. Something like that happens just about every day here.

As LoZoccolo said above, an awful lot of us now come here for our Two Minutes Hate, not to discuss ways to get what we want. There really was a time when we had intelligent, practical discussions at DU, but that time is long past, unbfortunately. Now it's all about preening and posturing and venting.

[Donailin]

165. There's plenty of reasonable discussion here, and there's a

reasonable amount of ranting. Both are necessary.

What people fail to come to grips with is this: Our sense of logic, our sense of what is fair and just, our understanding of right and wrong has been turned on its head. Our sensibilities are being traumatized and assaulted daily by this cabal that has taken over the country. I have never been here before, none of us have. This is unchartered territory for what was an otherwise relatively democratic society that once upon a time had some checks and balances. It is no longer an exageration to say things are Orwellian as all get out. Two minutes of hate is to be expected, and probabaly keeps many of us sane in these insane times.

As for discussing what we want and how to be productive, I do that too. Here's my contribution of the day. I sent emails to UFP and ANSWER. I kicked my own thread bunch of times, even. But as I said earlier, this is yet another week that ended on a down note with Cindy's Mom having a stroke. Another deflating balloon wizzing by as we wonder how Bush could have such dumb fucking luck. I think many folks are ready to blow.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4407338&mesg_id=4407338

[QC]

215. There's plenty of oysters with pearls in them,

but they're still only a tiny fraction of the whole.

Lately, since the drama queens took over, finding intelligent discussion at DU is like prying open a boatload of oysters to find that one pearl. Sorry to sound like my grandpa, but I miss the old DU.

[tx_dem41]

221. So do I. n/t

[DS1]

75. ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY TRUE!

Nail, meet hammer.

[Donailin]

42. Let's rephrase, shall we??:

"Armstrong is lobbying for cancer research and funding. He has a chance to meet the Fuhrer..

When you're active in the political arena... you have to meet with others whose murderous lying stealing policies you might not agree with, ESPECIALLY IF THEY BELONG TO THE PARTY DOING ALL THE LYING STEALING AND KILLING. And you might have to ride a bike with them and go for a swim and act all happy for the photo-ops.

It's called the real world. And the DU'ers shitting on Armstrong need to consider turning off their computers and joining it even if it means setting aside your SENSIBILITIES, PRINCIPLES and MORAL COMPASS.

One must imagine a large percentage of DU'ers must never have had a public position of power where part of the job specifically meant having to APPEAR nice to those you KNOW HAVE LIED, STOLEN AND MURDERED FOR THEIR OWN GREEDY AND SELFISH REASONS."

Now please excuse me while I go LMAO, or thow-up. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. I am sure, though, that before the war, before the looting of our country's treasure, before the stealing of the election, before the policies that will make life a living hell in this country, before he commited or allowed treason to be committed for his own political gain, a visit with the asshat may have been a respectable thing to do.

NOT NOW, NOT EVER! Wake up,Crying shame! You're memory seesm to be momentarily failing! You've forgotten who your talking about.

[Gay Green]

81. But with the BFEE, if you aren't nicely-nice when you meet with der Fuhrer

you're a dead man.

[Donailin]

89. tell that to all those nice dems who voted with Bush

and enabled this bullshit to begin with. They played nicey nice too.

[ignatius 2]

124. Kudos,Donailin, that was an awesome post.

n/t

[Donailin]

154. thanks! and it felt good too

I'm just so utterly frustrated. What is in store for our future? I shudder to think. And while the rich and famous visit the rich and famous and evil, I'm supposed to have respect for either? I cannot abide.

[Individualist]

131. Hear, hear!

:applause:

[alfredo]

43. I second that. Being a former store manager and business owner

I learned that sometime I had to deal with people who I felt were the scum of the earth.

Lance's first obligation is to his foundation. Shunning bush might have hurt, not helped the goals of his foundation.


Removing cancer from our bodies is Lance's job. Removing a cancer from our government is our job. OK?

[DancingBear]

45. A well reasoned response, but I must ask this question

At what point do you feel that one must dissociate him/herself from the cause, and instead work to remove the cancer?

I'll use a (to some) rather stretched analogy here. Let us suppose Adolf Hitler was an avid swimmer, and you were a world class Olympic swimmer recovering from polio and heading a foundation looking to find a cure. By meeting with Hitler, you might be able to advance the cause of your research, but millions of other people would needlessly die as long as he kept on his current political path. Many would argue that by meeting with him you do more harm long-term than good short-term.

The ball is in your court - what do you do??

[Bluebear]

51. :chirp chirp chirp:

[alfredo]

58. bush has not risen to the level of evil

we saw with Hitler. I believe if he was successful in Iraq, that might have changed.

Hitler would not have met with me because of my Armenian heritage.

[DancingBear]

80. "Bush has not risen to the level of evil we saw with Hitler"

Yet.

The Hitler of 1937 was not the Hitler of 1943 either.

No one ever thought he would become what he became, so they let him be. They tried to reason with a man who could not, and the results speak for themselves.

The modern day mad man is beating the nuclear war drums against Iran, and his words of the debates past now take on a whole new and terrifying meaning.

"You forgot about Poland."

I haven't, Cindy hasn't, and the world hasn't. I hope that you don't either.

[alfredo]

84. Hitler had an easy time with his early conquests. That emboldened

him, the public and his military. I believe that fact that Iraq has tied us down has made bush modify his imperial aspirations.

We are fortunate that our Stalingrad came at the beginning.

[DancingBear]

87. Oh, I don't think he has modified anything

He is an emboldened as ever - it's just that he is using the power of the press and stolen elections to legitimize himself. He is just not smart enough to successfully conquer anything - a fact to which all of us are eternally grateful.

Ii do hope, however, that your Stalingrad theory holds. We will need every able bodied person in the streets to make it so, however, because 35% of this population would still support him even if it turns out his real first name IS Adolf.

[alfredo]

126. He still needs congress, and they are starting to look over their

shoulders, worried that he has destroyed any chance of their 100 year rule over America.

If you haven't noticed, the press is starting to turn on him. Rove has lost control of the the press and electronic media.

[rosesaylavee]

146. Thats the positive spin on

whats been happening. Lets not forget that the people who have put * in power have been planning this for over a decade... he is just their pawn and when he fails, they will find another dupe.

Lance is a fool to think that * will help him. I understand talking with politicians when needed but not quite sure what this will do for him in the long run.

[alfredo]

182. They may have planned it for over a decade, but

that doesn't guarantee long lasting success. Theory has met reality.


If any of the neo con gang gets behind a candidate, it will become a campaign issue.

Lance seems to be trying his best to stay non partisan for his foundation's sake.

[Obamarama]

44. Oh please, spare me. This was a kiss-ass photo op, nothing more.

There was no protocol that called for Lance to go to Crawford and go for a bike ride with an international war criminal, cancer fundraising or not. The Boy King wanted a cheap photo-op with a popular American and Lance pandered to the asshole. Period.
Methinks you are tad bit DELUDED. Wake up and smell the bullshit.

[smirkymonkey]

273. Thank you!

[DanCa]

53. When your a lobbyist you do have to met with the other side

When I Lobby for stem cell I have to meet with gop members, who are the rudest bunch of people and the dems, who are the nicest bunch of people. However I think Armstong is a special case given the fact that he is a celebrity. What would have been the most prudent thing for Armstrong to do would be to do is to see if he could have done to table that meeting. However hindsight is a gift that he is not privillaged too. I am niether condemning or condoming what Lance did, I particularly dont care one way or another I just hope the chimps numbers dont go up. And that Lance doesn't play an Arnold card.

[Bluebear]

57. "DU'ers shitting on Armstrong"

Yes, we have put him in a compost heap and are piling huge heaps of dung on him until all we see is a little yellow rubber bracelet sticking out.

Honest to pete, can one disagree with this photo op through the snapdragons without being called shameful? Did Armstrong even wave hello to Camp Casey?

[DanCa]

59. That would have even a better thing to do.

Is to have rode with the president and than said hello to camp casey.
Personally I dont know what armstong's appeal is but that's the best way to have gone about it.

[Bluebear]

62. The OP says this was a "meeting"

It was a two hour bike ride. Is there any documentation that a policy meeting or appeal took place? Bush's record on health care is disgusting as far as I'm concerned, I don't know why people are so starstruck in this case!

[DanCa]

66. Actually you cant call it a policy on "health" care

It is more like a policy for "un" health care "de" health care " screw u" health care? what's the correct adjective here.

[Bluebear]

71. All of the above!

And too bad if you don't have the money to pay for it, suffer.

[DanCa]

74. Ah the new policy is called "suffer care" . I like that.

Yo go Blue Bear. Yo go.

[Gay Green]

86. Denial Care, too!

.

[DanCa]

109. Hey Gay Green welcome to DU

First time I have seen you post. Sorry for the delay :hi:

[Al-CIAda]

123. I believe the term is 'Corporacare'. nt

[Gay Green]

85. I have no doubt it was NOT a meeting

* simply used Lance for future political gain (if any). Next time Lance will know better than to make nicely-nice with the pretzeldunce - he just won't meet him, period.

(edit: to avoid shitting on Lance)

[novak goes postal]

60. Lance's visit was about Cancer funding on his part BUT

The president who just the day before Lance arrived passed a rule that NO ONE could pass HIM while he was riding a bicycle. He Thinks that he beat Lance in bicycle racing. He also believes that he hit a triple because he was born on third base.

[Gay Green]

65. Agreed.

They should be shitting on BUSH and ONLY BUSH, not Lance.

[Jose Diablo]

68. Well, others could disagree

Ain't That A Shame
Pat Boone

You made me cry when you said goodbye
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
You're the one to blame

You broke my heart when you said we'll part
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
You're the one to blame

Farewell, goodbye, although I'll cry
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
You're the one to blame

<instrumental interlude>

You made me cry when you said goodbye
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
You're the one to blame

Farewell, goodbye, although I'll cry
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
You're the one to blame


There comes a time, cancer or no cancer, where we have to say, "You're either with us or you are with the enemy". As for meeting with Bu$h to obtain money for cancer research, even if it's a good cause, all this does is give an air of legitimacy to Bu$h's stolen position.

Bu$h is NOT the elected president of the USA. He is someone that has stolen that position and should be in jail.

BTW, I don't feel any shame whatsoever by criticizing Armstrong for giving a photo opt for Bu$h. Armstrong is an OK guy, but screw whoever set-up this photo opt with that poser.

[Spazito]

70. He is going to run for office in Texas, that's the real reason for

his 'visit' with bush, imo. He is now retired and has expressed an interest in running for office so one MUST visit the 'emperor' and have a photo-op for the future campaign.

[DanCa]

72. So is Lance a Repug than we have another arnold in the making?

[Spazito]

76. I think he will run as a 'moderate' repub, as moderate as Texas

will allow, imo. Certainly the repubs will be courting him 'big time', they need a big name candidate and with his photos of riding with bush, he has a ready made campaign photo.

[Walt Starr]

96. If Lance Armstrong runs as a Repub

I stop buying Sheryl Crow music.

[Mika]

116. I won't buy Cheyrl Crow music as long as she hawks Michael Dell's crap

Michael Dell's campaign contributions

[Walt Starr]

232. Oh shit, I didn't need to see that!

Well, no more Crow music for me.

[Zodiak]

242. This is why I don't like Crow.

"Nothing says world peace like diamonds."

Sheryl Crow during the height of the "conflict diamond" issue in Africa.

[SammyWinstonJack]

285. Kinda like her pimping for Dell when she has to know that

Michael Dell is a major campaign contributor of **. Surely she doesn't need the money nor notoriety. Opposed to the war and at the same time, shills for a bush supporter. Make a lot of sense.

[tx_dem41]

138. Wow....an expert in Texas politics living all the way up in BC Canada...

simply amazing. You sure are up on all the latest political news in our state. :eyes:

[Spazito]

169. Ummm, we opted not to believe in bush and asked for evidence

of the WMDs, I think we have proven we do have a pretty good take on the politics of the US and, yes, even Texas. I wonder if you can say the same on B.C. and Canada?

[tx_dem41]

173. You'll notice that you have never seen me make an observation...

especially a completely wrong observation, about Canadian and/or B.C. politics.

[Spazito]

177. How am I wrong?

Lance Armstrong has now retired from competing and has expressed an interest in politics. That has been reported in the paper. Lance Armstrong lives in Texas, Texas is an overwhelmingly republican State, he has his site linked on the Texas Government site, the republican Texas Government site. Lance Armstrong went riding with the republican President of the US.

Damn, that must mean he is going to run as a Democrat!

[tx_dem41]

180. He's not running for anything in the near or mid-future.

And, if he ever did in the far-future, it wouldn't be as a Republican. In fact, 15-20 years from now, it would be foolish to run statewide as a Republican in this state.

[Spazito]

184. LOL, and you know that how?

*

[Talismom]

241. Yeah, especially after Kinky Friedman becomes governor! LOL! n/t

[zanne]

243. Bingo! Another opportunist visits with Bush!

As we've seen during the past five years, some people do find it convenient to switch sides (or parties) when they consider a future in politics. Most politicians are NOT made of noble stuff, just ambition and a hunger for power. I just don't see Lance championing any liberal causes in the future.

[tx_dem41]

244. Your prognostication skills are amazing.

What are these powers based on?

[zanne]

245. You obviously share these powers with me.

In one of your previous posts, you claimed that Lance won't be running for political office in Texas in 25 years. Wow! Can you give me the winning Lotto numbers for next week?

[tx_dem41]

246. Why should I share the pot. :-)

My "prognostication" was based on my in-state readings of the local press, talking with two journalists that are based in Austin, and talking to a college friend who bikes in Lance's informal cycling group down in Austin and has for years.

What is your's based on?

[zanne]

258. I have a friend of a friend of a friend who bikes with

Lance's friend of a friend of a friend in TEXAS, so there!

[Name removed]

259. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[zanne]

267. Well, this conversation has degenerated...

into a childish tit-for-tat, so I'll end my part in it. Can't say you're the only one to blame, either.

[tx_dem41]

268. Sorry for snapping at you, disporportionately.

Its a pet peeve of mine when people put words in my mouth. Sorry, again.

[Walt Starr]

82. I'll still donate to cancer research

just not any foundation or charity associated with Armstrong.

[Hugin]

238. Good plan.

IMHO... This whole thing was the "courting phase". The Repubs
are in desperate need of a moderate candidate. They have none
left. They smeared McCain. Their only hope in 2008 and beyond
for national office is to find another Bush. Otherwise their
vine of treachery withers.

So, instead of grousing... The Dems need to court Armstrong.
He's an athlete who's attention has been focused on his sport
to the point it cost him his marriage. He needs to be educated
on what the heck is really going on in the world. Obviously,
he is unaware of Bush and the Republican's plight of falling
approval. He is unaware he is being USED to bolster their
standing.

We lost Powell... Let's not lose Armstrong.

[Orsino]

83. Two questions are relevant.

Exactly what did he achieve, and what did he have to do to get it?

If he's propped up the sagging poll numbers, and has in any way helped to perpetuate the Republican lock on power, that's a lot to answer for. A few more thousand dollars to fight cancer may not be enough to atone.

[Gay Green]

88. And he won't get that even. If anything, REDUCED dollars from the Shrub.

Bush is a user.

.

:mad:

[graywarrior]

91. I deal with enough shame in my life without having to get it from here.

[City Lights]

92. How did Lance's lobbying efforts turn out?

Did he get what he came for?

[Walt Starr]

93. Nobody has an infinite source of funds for charities

I've made some donations to Livestrong in the past.

I'll never make another donation to Livestrong again.

I'll find another charity with spokespersons more in line with my way of thinking who wouldn't even consider giving an evil man like Bush a chance at a photo op.

[NRaleighLiberal]

97. Incredible athlete - raising money for a great cause - BUT...

after reading his book, am not enamored with him - ego very large....not crazy about the yellow bracelet thing (another form of the sheeple in my view) - and sometimes, even for a good cause, you need to watch the company you keep. There are plenty of people with money for causes, no one should accept a photo op for whatever cause with our current misleader. Just my views...we don't have to all agree. Good to see some debate - keep it clean!

[Pepperbelly]

102. The predilection to pissing on those who do not say 'fuck bush' in public

always makes me squirm. It just seems so ... petty. It reminds me of the other side.

[blue sky at night]

108. it reminds me that people who don't see Bu$h for what he is.....

and represents are truly on the other side. Fuck them, your with us or against us.

[Pepperbelly]

113. oh my ... so you are the grand determiner of What is Right?

:eyes:

Hubris, much?

[blue sky at night]

144. excuse me, I trust my own brain to determine what is right......

so yes, I am.

[Pepperbelly]

251. whatever...

in that case, perhaps you should see if you can't get that tuned up a bit because I don't believe it's hitting on all cylinders.

[tx_dem41]

147. Beautiful....you yourself obviouly love the guy.

You want to be just like him. Doing a good job at it too.

[blue sky at night]

159. I learned how to read in elementary school.........

guess you didn't quite catch on. So be it, I am not too worried that you think I love the guy. W H A T E V E R.

[tx_dem41]

161. Its okay to want to emulate people.

Just kind of odd that you've chosen him and you're on this forum. His message is easy to grasp though. Simplistic, callous and narrow-minded.

[WilliamPitt]

104. Yeah, he should have punched Bush in the face

like everyone else here would have done.

Or something.

My perspective: If meeting with Bush helps Lance to raise money to help even one sick kid, it'll be the best thing Bush ever did in his life.

But go on with your judgmental bad selves. Keyboard warriors amuse me.

[Walt Starr]

106. He could have stopped by Camp Casey afterwards

I'd continue donating to Livestrong if he had.

But I guess he'll get more money out of Bush than he would have out of me, because Livestrong gets nothing from me ever again and I'll never again wear a cheap yellow rubber arm band.

[Mika]

120. "the best thing Bush ever did in his life."

Very true, Will. :thumbsup:

I guess that some here would say that any kids helped by Bush (via Livestrong), and didn't tell him to fuck off, should fuck off too.

[Bluebear]

125. How did this bike ride raise money for even one sick kid?

Just curious. You make Bush sound almost noble.

Signed,
Judgmental Me. :)

[txindy]

145. The article you posted today said they were "friends."

So I seriously doubt that this one meeting will change anything other than the pictures run in tonight's newscasts and the Sunday newspapers. This wasn't something noble. This was a photo op. "Friends" meet at other times, too. "Friends" talk on the phone. "Friends" don't need the press present, with cameras at the ready, to help "even one sick kid" while they pedal around a pig farm. Please.

I posted this below, but I'll do it again: I'm one of those who would benefit most from fundraising for this cause, but this had nothing to do with cancer research. This had everything to do with political opportunism and the manipulation of public opinion.

But do go on with your judgmental bad self. Disdain from a keyboard warrior amuses me. :eyes:

[titoresque]

211. your post really drips

with self righteous arrogance! But you're probably right....it would be the best thing George ever did! Seems sad doesnt it....that the best thing George ever did is to exploit a cancer survivor for political gain and MAYBE throw him a few bucks?! What a noble fella that Georgie!

He's a serial killer, would I want to spend an afternoon with a ruthless serial killer in front of cameras on the OFF CHANCE that I might earn some blood money..........NOPE!

Signed
Another Judgmental Keyboard Warrior

[Hugin]

239. Well written...

I have no need to expand on any of your points.

This is *EXACTLY* what is happening. It's another event to
take the MSM's *short* attention span away from real news...

My proof, you might ask? Well, the proof is in the pudding.
Look at how widely and loudly this meetup is being blared
across the media. It's no accident. The Rovians do *NOTHING*
which isn't entirely politically motivated.

Convenient how they had all the tee-shirts all printed up.

GO CINDY!

[earth mom]

279. Okay, how about looking at it this way...

* is under fire from some very angry and rightfully so parents who lost their CHILDREN because of his LIE. And you know we're NOT talking teeny tiny lie here. It was the mother-no pun intended-of ALL LIES.

So, instead of doing the right and honorable thing of meeting with these parents who have made the greatest sacrifice of all to defuse a situation that has become a PR nightmare for him; *BOY goes on a bike ride and a swim with a famous athlete.

The intention?

To come out smelling like a rose. For the glory, admiration and hero worship that has been lavished on Lance to rub off on him. However we all know *s sh*t stinks to high heaven and it ain't working. Meanwhile the freepers are rolling over in ecstasy.

Lance should know better. He was used. Maybe * will call him in the morning.

Signed me,
Proud Blue State Truth Seeking Hypocrisy Busting Keyboard Warrior PARENT

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

105. Are we allowed to be disappointed in him participating in this photo-op

without being "shameful"?

Can some of us not say "FU" to Lance, perhaps give him the benefit of a doubt as being perhaps a decent guy, possibly even liberal leaning, who naively let himself be used to help out the shrub at a low point, whether that was his intention or not?

Are we allowed to be disappointed about this?

I am disappointed. I'm not angry at him like others. If he rode around in a convertible with Jeb Bush or Frist in the 08 campaign then I'd be angry.

[Lars39]

107. I think this was a hit and run. OP hasn't been on thread for 2 hours.

[Donailin]

110. Who cares, It's saturday night

and the end of a breathtaking momentous week that ended on a down note (Cindy's mom having a stroke). Another balloon that had all the air sucked out of it. Think we'd be used to it by now.

Some are "getting on with their life" and Some of us just are about to lose it.

[tx_dem41]

149. Lol..."hit and run"? The OPer responded five times in the post over...

...30 minutes. Yeah, sure sounds like a "hit and run" to me. :eyes:

[Lars39]

151. And hasn't been back since...

[tx_dem41]

152. Pssst.....some of us have lives outside of this forum. n/t

[Lars39]

153. And some DUers love to post flame-bait.

:)

[tx_dem41]

156. "Flamebait" that many on this thread agree with.

Especially those of us, I'm guessing, that are active in the fight to eradicate cancer.

[Lars39]

166. Nice divisive statement there.

[tx_dem41]

175. The day that the fight to eradicate cancer....

becomes a negative thing on DU, is the day that many that find it negative ought to think long and hard about themselves. IJS.

[Lars39]

179. You are the only one saying that.

[tx_dem41]

183. You haven't read every post on the thread then.

[Lars39]

187. You are the only one inferring that criticism of Lance=against cancer cur

[tx_dem41]

188. Nope....guess again. n/t

[westernpenndem]

168. I'm with you on that

Glad I read your post. You said it right. My disappointment is that Lance didn't cruise by and tip a hat to Camp Casey. Or he could have waited till Bush was back in the White House for the proverbial appearance that all World Series Champs, Super Bowl victors, etc. do as a matter of habit. His appearance at the Bush ranch while Camp Casey's making waves across the world not such a good idea.

I've a big Lance fan since I saw him back in the early 90's show up unknown and go on to tear up the Kmart Classic tour in WV. I'm heartened by the W comment that they disagreed on the issues--I can't imagine Lance not speaking his mind. Lance was so close to dying for so long that he doesn't mince words and is nobody's boy. Bono's an international guy who speaks his mind to the elite like Bush and O'Neill, and gets good things done. I think of Lance as an international guy like Bono, bigger than one country, an ambassador. But he should have been an ambassador to Camp Casey this time, too.

He did not support the Iraq Invasion--Rove and Co. would have been shouting it from rooftops if he had. I can't imagine Lance as a Republican. If I'm wrong, and he runs as one someday, I'll eat my (cycling) shorts after a day long tour...and, brother, that wouldn't be pretty.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

269. Where did W comment that they disagreed on the issues? I didn't

see that anywhere.

[westernpenndem]

295. You are right, misread that one

MM,

Sorry about that. I skimmed #15 too quickly. Lance was quoted as disagreeing with Dubya on the war. No comment there from GWB.

[Mend]

111. Democratic presidents are the best way to cure cancer...

the kind of money needed to find cures is always from the government. All this government money is going for war, not medical research. This meeting was to boost * in the polls. Lance shouldn't have done it, imo...

[Rex]

112. He said he is a close personal friend of Bush

so I guess he will defend the Devil and his murderous ways next. :eyes:

Who said anything about cancer? Just had to bring it up eh? :eyes:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

117. Would you meet with Chimpy?

[Mika]

121. I thought Cindy wanted to.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

130. You thought right.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

119. Yeah cuz bush really cares about helping cancer patients

and diabetics and people with AIDs and Alzheimers and the poor and the homeless and people without health insurance for their kids and people without jobs and folks who can't drive to work because they can't afford gas and seniors who can't afford medicine and soldier's families who can't make ends meet and single moms who work three jobs and young people in wheelchairs with spinal chord injuries and workers laid off from jobs and and and...

Lance, you deserve a place in history aligned with great and noble men. Don't demean yourself in the company of losers.

[txindy]

127. If Armstrong thinks Junior is going to give him gov't. money, he's deluded

Science is bad. :eyes:

Paint with a broad brush much? As someone who can only benefit from research of the kind Armstrong supports, I have the right to my own opinions and they don't include blind/deaf/dumb worship of a fundraiser, no matter who he is or who he chooses to use for photo ops. That's the attitude of Junior's worshippers who bathe themselves in KoolAid. Good luck with that.

[tx_dem41]

128. Great post. You and I agree 100% on this topic. n/t

[frankly_fedup2]

129. Good Lord. I would think all of us have to do that everyday . . .

wouldn't you?

I say we buy Cindy a bicycle (helmet of course), and maybe she can get some time with Bush regarding her two questions she has. This is not suppose to be a liberal/Democrat demonstration with leaders from the Democratic Party being a part of it.

This is about a mother who has lost her son, and at the time she met with the president, the war was like what, 7 days old. She became angry when all the controversy came out, and the obvious lies that the American people as well as the troops and the World have been told.

(we all knew the above paragraph; however, the right neophytes keep forgetting to add this part when they go, "She's already met him and was fine with the president. Finish the sentence you idiots.

The Right Neophytes are comparing this to the Wellstone Memorial (which they said was shameful). I do believe the remaining family was there, and I do believe that one of his sons said that his dad, Paul Wellstone, his mother, and his sister would all want a celebration of their short lives here on this earth. Those sons stood up there and told about the fun times they had as a family, their father's sense of humor, and his love for politics. The memorialized their father unbelievably well considering they had lost their mother and sister a well. Also, his father's favorite way to celebrate was get with his fellow Democrats and enjoy each other's company and ideas. Yet they have the audacity to judge how this family decided to memorialize the death of several members of their family. By the way, did they ever investigate what happened to that plane? Wellstone was "supposedly" considering running for the presidency in the future.

They are slamming Cindy bad for leaving for her mom (what else would a daughter do?). Of course, they had no mothers with their crawling out from under rocks and being so cold blooded.

I haven't heard not one peep from Limbaugh regarding the redneck truck riding over the crosses with dead soldiers names on them. However, there is a story of a young girl who saw her dead brother's name on one of the crosses and she went to pull it up. Well, the right tells this story like the whole Camp Casey jumped on this young girl until she was begging and crying for the cross with her dead brother's name. No names were given.

[benny05]

134. Agree with last statement

This is what I said in my personal journal:

snip:

(from sports illustrated) Neither Bush nor Armstrong spoke to reporters, although White House spokesman Trent Duffy said the president was impressed with the champ's skills.

"Recognizing what the world has known for years, the president said, 'He's a good rider,"' Duffy said.

--------------------------

Duh, Mr. President. That's the best complement about the 7-time champion of the Tour De France? I realize he's teasing Lance (in a Texan way0 but he could have been a little more effusive.

DU'ers are upset with Lance for taking W's invitation, especially with Camp Casey close by. I disagree with those who are upset with Lance. I think when you are are world reknown cycling champion who represented our country and the President (even if he espouses policies you disagree with) extends a personal invitation to you to ride with him, you should. But this event doesn't excuse or shield the President from avoiding Cindy Sheehan either.

I might add that I don't think Sheryl Crow was with Lance during the visit or bike ride.

[Malikshah]

136. Back off. It's called realism-- * won't do shit for anyone but himself

to believe otherwise and in so doing give some "respectability" to a war criminal is wrong.

It's called principles and sticking to them.

The whole "politics" argument is bullshit pure and simple.

So back off.

[titoresque]

142. yeah probably why

I would never make it in politics! I Wouldn't meet with Bush for a "friendly" bike ride any faster than I would meet with Hitler for a cup of tea, or the pilot of the Anola Gay for a ride in his spiffy flying killing machine.

Yeah to me..meeting with Bush for any reason other than asking "what NOBLE cause?!" is tantamount to meeting with a known serial killer and then not asking WHY YOU SON-OF-A-BITCH?! WHY?!!

[jbnow]

143. It's not just raising money

He is part of President Bush's cancer advisory committee and will be appointed again. (Not that I know what the committee does)

I hoped he'd (Lance) stop in at camp Casey but I am glad he speaks out openly about the war. A true butt kisser would not.

[derby378]

155. I haven't said a thing about this

Let Lance visit the loser just once so he can see what * is really like.

[Hissyspit]

158. Um... no.

Just saw the image of Armstrong biking with Bush. Terrible thing to do for his fundraising - to be seen in the same behavior as the President with Camp Casey down the road.

It's good for him to meet with a man a majority of Americans now do not think is honest?

Yes, as someone who has to deal with people in power, sometimes you have to compromise, and sometimes you have to say, NO.

[Mend]

164. What good are "cures" without health insurance

to pay for them? Does he think bush is going to give all Americans access to affordable medical care? He beat cancer because one of his corporate sponsors threatened the insurance company and forced them to cover him.

[Neshanic]

176. Yes. having Bristol-Meyers Squibb as your benefactor does wonders

[tx_dem41]

181. So what you two are saying is "F**k the cure for cancer".

Got it. Beautiful :eyes:

[Neshanic]

190. No, he was the recepient of special care, unavailable to others..

therefore, he should not ride bikes with simians that think health care is business for profit, and if you ain't got it...tough shit.

[tx_dem41]

192. Yep....just remember...the word for today is HATE...

the word is not "leadership". The word is not "accomplish". The word is not "produce". The word is HATE.

[Mend]

257. The cures for cancers, when found, will not cost $5 per bottle

the whole thing is ridiculous....we need access to health care for all Americans.

[zanne]

264. No. Advance the cause for stem cell research.

That would do alot more for a cure than a few publicity photos with Bush.

[smirkymonkey]

275. Exactly!!

If Lance really wants to help cure cancer and alleviate the trauma for cancer patients, he would work toward legislation that would insure the rights of all Americans to have access to decent medical care in the case that they come down with the dreaded disease.

He wouldn't be whoring himself out as a PR stunt for somebody who does everything in his power to make certian that cancer patients WITHOUT money or insurance have to become destitute in order to get treatment.

This is just disgusting on so many levels. The bottom line is that a photo op with W is NOT necessary for Lance's foundation to survive and prosper. W's photo op with Lance was ALL about distracting from Cindy Sheehan and this complete failure of an illegal war that he's gotten us in to with no hope of getting out any time soon.

[Roxy66]

170. Ouch....I kinda thought things were rough on him here today

[Neshanic]

174. Lance thinks about Lance. Bush thinks about Bush. Get the picture?

Like there was some discussion of any meaning going on there.

He's a pretty craven piece of work.

[tx_dem41]

178. Okay, the day's almost over. Who are we going to HATE tomorrow?

I mean a day on DU without HATE, just wouldn't be right. :eyes:

[Neshanic]

185. Well anyone who has a bike date with monkey for starters....

and so openly plays sitting on a fence, getting photo ops with Kerry one day, then biking with a lying war monger the next, all under the pretense that he will get his charity shafted if he does not make a court appearance with the Magical Monkey King and play with him.

The fear of him not getting money. Did it ever occur to him that he would triple the amount for his charity if he went to Camp Casey and blew off Chumpy?

No, guess people don't think 'bout that much.

Better go with the safe bet. Ass kiss after the ride Emperor Bush?

Oh and for fun at home....replace "Cancer with "AIDS" and "Reagan" for "Bush". That kiss up went real well.

[tx_dem41]

186. HATE

Its what DU is all about lately.

We don't have time to accomplish anything. We can't provide leadership to a leaderless country. We don't have the time because we're too busy HATING. And.....WE LOVE IT!

[Neshanic]

189. Nobody hates Lance. His dance on the fence is annoying.

Especially when right down the road...

[tx_dem41]

193. Unlike some here, Lance lives in the real world.

To accomplish things, one has to learn to get along with all sorts of people. Its how things get done. Its called leadership.

People that are consumed by HATE, ultimately, never get anything done.

[Lars39]

197. Why are you trying to paint DUers as haters?

Taking up the slack for the OP, since it's now been 4 hours since he posted on his thread?

[tx_dem41]

199. Nope....I was out living life.

Haven't been on the thread for 4 hours.

[Telly Savalas]

216. Get with the program, man.

4 hours away from an internet argument about a bicyclist? Maybe it's time to sit down and reassess your priorities.

You are aware of the DU rule which states that if you post anything remotely controversial, you're obligated to sit at your computer for the next 18 hours to address all responses?

[tx_dem41]

219. Who loves ya, baby.

Thanks for that, Telly. I needed a chuckle. :)

[LoZoccolo]

203. "he would triple the amount for his charity"

No he wouldn't. Spend some time away from DU tommorow. Not everybody is the frothing brand of liberal who boycotts cancer charities because the spokesperson meets with the person who happens to be the president.

[Neshanic]

204. Why don't you take a bike ride tomorrow?

Where did I say I would boycott his charity?

I said that he would probably triple his donations, when he aligns himself with sane people, not a group of lying war/coporate scumbags.

He made the choice. In the interview on "This Week" he himself said he is very good friends with Chimp. Some of the slime will obviously rub off.

[Telly Savalas]

214. Well, it's been a while since we've had a good thread...

bashing Jared from the Subway ads. I can't stand that guy.

[AuntPatsy]

191. I don't think so, he should have made time to let know Cindy know

that he supports her, of course he has an agenda, and I for one understand his reasons, and yet, he also so he says is against the war, so I honestly cannot understand why he cannot persue both issues that he cares about. Both issues are clearly life threatening, one is not more important than the other in my opinion.

[fooj]

195. I have a question. Whose "retirement fund" would be raped for a donation?

Shrub NEVER spends his own money.

Peace.

[tocqueville]

200. time to start "biking for Cindy" rallies

biking is a good way of being seen

then if there is a big biking against the war rally, maybe Lance will show up...

[paulk]

205. what many DUer's don't seem to realize

for somebody running an organization like Armstrong is, to tell the President to fuck off after he's invited you to go biking would alienate not just Bush - but several tens of millions of Republicans.

Republicans donate money, too.

[Neshanic]

210. God forbid we piss off republicans, as they prop up the very....

system of parsing health care AND cancer care for the chosen, as their poster boy rides with their guy. The sight of this alone will have them throwing money like drunken sailors.

Strange how you may be able to be cured for cancer, but your health insurance...if you have it, may tell you to take a hike.

He would of served us all better if he simply said that his charity wants from all sides, and he would rather stay out of politics on both sides. Completely, and that includes all topics that come with it.

But he has higher sights, and therefore plays the field...which is disegenuous and cheap.

[ElectroPrincess]

206. Oh please spare me more happy horse sh*t like this?

Please take that pseudo high horse you came in on and ride it out of here?

Lance is a great athlete but also has the knack of pissing both the right and the left off. Sometimes simultaneously ... time for him to fade out.

[Bluebear]

270. LOL

"happy horsesh*t" one of my favorite New England expressions. Only we say happyhussshit.

[steve2470]

209. At this point, I don't think he had to meet with Satan himself

If that is untrue, someone please educate me. If he HAD to meet with Satan to achieve a worthy objective, then I will change my opinion.

[charlie]

212. Should've told monkeyboy

he was fresh from the pathogens lab where they were making great strides against contagious cancers... SHAKE!! We could've enjoyed pics of a shrunken green chimp pedalling like he was on fire...

[Hekate]

218. Amen again

For some reason there seems to be a dearth of reality-based responses to certain news-events.

Hekate

[hlthe2b]

224. yes...remember even Christopher & Dana Reeves appealed

to Bush for help with stemcell research (to little end, of course....


I do believe Armstrong is a strong progressive lib. And, folks are missing the obvious.. If Lance wants to run for statewide office in TX, (e.g., Senate), this meeting will go far in innoculating him from the most hateful RW attacks.

[earth mom]

226. I disagree!

Lance had a "fun" day with * while they biked and swam like children...la de da...they had NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD! :sarcasm:

Meanwhile over at Camp Casey parents mourned their own childrens DEATHS in a war that was based on a LIE that * is responsible for!!!!!!! These parents have every right to ask the president why he allowed a LIE to KILL their children! HE OWES THAT TO THEM AT THE VERY VERY LEAST!!!! Life will never be the same or fun-NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD-for these parents and their families!!! Instead their sacrifice has been made a mockery of by * and by extension Lance!

For Lance to step into the middle of this monumental injustice at this time is WRONG! There is a time and place for everything and that time was NOT now! Lance DISRESPECTED the parents, families and dead soldiers at Camp Casey with his actions today!

PERIOD.

:puke:

[Bluebear]

228. When you're right, you're right.

:toast:

[earth mom]

276. Same back at ya!

:toast:

[PittLib]

227. Here's the thing ...

Do I believe in the rights of homosexuals? unions? minorities? the rights of all to live equally and freely in this country?

Damn straight.

Do I believe in women's rights?

Abso-MF-lutely.

Would I champion women's rights (if my pet cause, and it is) to the detriment or selling out of all other progressive issues?

Fuck no. Period.

I'm glad that Lance feels so strongly about his cause and commend him for doing such. HOWEVER ... I disagree with him pandering to an irrational asshole who threatens to veto any bill expanding SCR?! So cancer is worthy while Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and spinal cord injury is not?

I'm sorry, but it feels very opportunistic to me.

This is not to say that I condemn Lance. I don't know at this point, in all honesty. I admire the guy and what he's done. But if the smell test passes and this is the case ... I will call him out and LOUDLY as the OPPORTUNIST that he just may be.

HOW, after all, can you KISS the ASS of a man who advocates INTELLIGENT DESIGN to counter EVOLUTION?! ... just because he likes to ride a fucking BIKE!

On edit: and what candidate was it that made the "Livestrong" yellow bands a household name? (hint: NOT GWB)

[hfojvt]

229. Lance: "I am Lance Armstrong and I approve this President"

My enemy's friends are what to me again?

I think this is just one more reason to not like Lance Armstrong.

As far as I know Lance does not have a job. He has a public position of power where he can speak truth to power and have an impact that I can only dream about and instead chose to make all nicey-nicey with the evil one. He gave the opposite message, effectively praising the emperor's clothes. He may have done it for the noblest of reasons, but the ends, or so I have heard, do not justify the means.

[tx_dem41]

230. Wow...try to hide the jealousy better next time.

Also, don't put something in quotes that was never said. Its intellectually dishonest. Or, as you would say, your end doesn't justify your means of getting there.

[Neshanic]

247. Wow, try to hide your slavish devotion to Lance next time.

He rides a bike. Another is waking up a nation. Keep it in perspective.

[tx_dem41]

248. Exactly who is "waking up a nation"?

Surely, you're not equating posting rants on DU to "waking up a nation"?

And by the way, I bet the poster I replied to is a big enough person to answer for himself.

[Neshanic]

249. Uh...Cindy, maybe you have heard about her.

[tx_dem41]

250. Ahah....I didn't realize that I had to make a choice between the two....

Is this official DU Mantra, or are some DUers incapable of working on two things at once?

[Neshanic]

252. Don't know, are you pretty capable? You seem...

to run the Lance fan club with ease.

[tx_dem41]

254. Funny. If you knew me, I'm one of the few cyclists in the States that

pulled for Ullrich, then Basso, over him for the last seven years.

I am a fan of his organization set up for fighting cancer. I consider that struggle as important as any other struggle in this world.

[Lost4words]

253. Lance Armstrong meeting with bush IS SHAMEFUL!

He is an athlete with a super efficient body, nothing more. The Lance hero worship is disturbing to me. Celebrity worship is disturbing to me.

[tx_dem41]

256. Who's worshipping Lance?

I don't even like the guy within the cycling community.

BTW, he's an athlete...what are you? Are you good at it? Have you worked hard to excel at it? Are you number 1 at it?

[zanne]

260. We need a NEW RULE

And here it is: People who start divisive posts (and you know who you are) should have to stay WITH the conversation, not just get everybody riled up and angry, then leave after two or three posts. That's cowardice.

[The Blue Knight]

261. The title of this thread summed up my sentiment pretty well.

[tx_dem41]

262. Ummm...no we don't. The OPer stayed around for 30 minutes...

and responded five times. This thread has been going on for 14.5 hours. Should he/she have been here this whole time. I know its hard to believe, but some DUers have lives outside of this forum.

[Balbus]

282. You mean there's life outside the internet????

OMG!!!! :wow:

[Lars39]

263. It's also called flame-bait hit and run.

And it's alertable.

[zanne]

265. I didn't know it was alertable.

But I can't bring myself to do that to anyone other than a lurking freeper.

[Lars39]

266. Yes.

Sometimes patterns add up to banning.

[QC]

271. Then alert it, since you're apparently in charge of what we can discuss.

[alfredo]

274. Lance reported back that he did lobby for a huge increase in

cancer funding. So there.

[Lars39]

277. Cancer research funding or money to fund his programs?

[alfredo]

278. For research. His foundation only takes private donations.

[Lars39]

281. No, I think his foundation also receives federal money.

[alfredo]

283. Oh OK, I will look into that. I thought it was purely private.

[Lars39]

286. I'm hoping we're not seeing a new type of "agency" being formed.

Kinda like the faith-based programs,in that a foundation would receive
federal funds and eventually replace a government program, yet not
receive near as much money as the government program and thus not serve
nearly as many people.

If this starts happening, I'm not sure we'll ever get health care for everybody. :(

[alfredo]

288. It is a non profit

The Lance Armstrong Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Austin, Texas.

http://www.livestrong.org/

Part of their mission is to lobby for more money for research. I don't think he was trying to get more money for his foundation.

[Lars39]

289. I know, but so are the "faith-based" organizations.

[alfredo]

291. Laf.org isn't promoting Theocracy, so I don't think they'd qualify.

[Lars39]

292. What I'm suggesting *could* happen wouldn't have to be limited

to religious groups, though.

[alfredo]

293. I am just saying that there is no indication they take money

from the federal government.

I saw nothing in their 2004 financial statement.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

287. I don't think its shameful at all, if he wants to ask the devil for help

then he has picked his side, and it it not the same side I am on.

[Kurovski]

290. During campaign 2000 I recall Bush saying he would wage a

multi-million dollar war against cancer. Anyone know if he's kept his promise?

I would think that the Administration would have pushed that news big time if they had.

I'm not a fan of Armstrong's, but I'm all for anything that gets the shitbags in the White House to actually behave like decent human beings.

[Skittles]

294. F*** HIM

he could have met with bush IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHERE HE IS *SUPPOSED* TO BE, and not ON HIS *LONGEST VACATION EVER* WHILE A GRIEVING MOTHER RIGHT OUTSIDE GETS NO AUDIENCE WHATSOEVER AND OUR TROOPS AND IRAQI CIVILIANS ARE BEING KILLED DAILY. No, I won't have it. IT'S CRAP.