THE Quote Options

[RADUSA]

At least survives somewhere.... thanks TBV

http://trustbut.blogspot.com/


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Moderator note: this topic has been merged with one created by Steve (post #3). -- ChrisH

[ludwig]

At least survives somewhere.... thanks TBV

http://trustbut.blogspot.com/

I did, as I used to do for some people, call GL privately to discuss some comments that he made about me and my situation. I used to believe that a private call was the best way to deal with public slander. I have subsequently learned that the phone call will become public and the contents thereof misconstrued into whatever fits the agenda. What Greg actualy divulged to me is what he does not want to talk about. I did not call for advice, I called to give him a chance to plead his case as to why he was speaking when he had never spoken to me nor met me in the past and in no way could be portrayed as knowing me personally. Unfortunately, the facts that he divulged to me in the hour which he spoke and gave no opportunity for me to do the same, would damage his character severely and I would rather not do what has been done to me. However, if he ever opens his mouth again and the word Floyd comes out, I will tell you all some things that you will wish you didn't know and unfortunately I will have entered the race to the bottom which is now in progress. For the record, I don't know Greg, and have no more respect for Greg than I have for people who go through life blaming others for all of their problems. You are not a victim of others Greg, you are a pathetic human who believes that if others didn't cheat (not sure about you) you would be the President and all the peasants would bow to your command. Join reality with the rest of us who win some and lose some and keep on smiling.

Much of this is justified, I think--Lemond's comments implied he had some insight into Landis' character.

For example Lemond said this...."I know Floyd, he's a good guy, he comes from a good family. If all this is proven, it will be a part of the tragedy that crosses this sport: Even good people are obliged to deceive,"

Well obviously he doesn't know Landis well. However I am surprised if Landis is saying he never spoke with Lemond prior to the scandal. If this is true, then no question Lemond's comments were misleading, as Lemond would have no basis whatsoever for commentating on Landis' character. On the other hand, Landis has been in the peloton a long time (including 2000-2001 with Mercury, with which Lemond was associated), so maybe Lemond has been following his career for a while.

[Steve in ATL]

I did, as I used to do for some people, call GL privately to discuss some comments that he made about me and my situation. I used to believe that a private call was the best way to deal with public slander. I have subsequently learned that the phone call will become public and the contents thereof misconstrued into whatever fits the agenda. What Greg actualy divulged to me is what he does not want to talk about. I did not call for advice, I called to give him a chance to plead his case as to why he was speaking when he had never spoken to me nor met me in the past and in no way could be portrayed as knowing me personally. Unfortunately, the facts that he divulged to me in the hour which he spoke and gave no opportunity for me to do the same, would damage his character severely and I would rather not do what has been done to me. However, if he ever opens his mouth again and the word Floyd comes out, I will tell you all some things that you will wish you didn't know and unfortunately I will have entered the race to the bottom which is now in progress. For the record, I don't know Greg, and have no more respect for Greg than I have for people who go through life blaming others for all of their problems. You are not a victim of others Greg, you are a pathetic human who believes that if others didn't cheat (not sure about you) you would be the President and all the peasants would bow to your command. Join reality with the rest of us who win some and lose some and keep on smiling.

OK, conspiracy theorists - it's back.

[zekeydekey]

Much of this is justified, I think--Lemond's comments implied he had some insight into Landis' character.

For example Lemond said this...."I know Floyd, he's a good guy, he comes from a good family. If all this is proven, it will be a part of the tragedy that crosses this sport: Even good people are obliged to deceive,"

Well obviously he doesn't know Landis well. However I am surprised if Landis is saying he never spoke with Lemond prior to the scandal. If this is true, then no question Lemond's comments were misleading, as Lemond would have no basis whatsoever for commentating on Landis' character. On the other hand, Landis has been in the peloton a long time (including 2000-2001 with Mercury, with which Lemond was associated), so maybe Lemond has been following his career for a while.

Wouldn't someone have to know both of these people intimately to know if any of this is justified?

Seems like a lot of bluster and in Floyd's case, unverified insinuations about what topic exactly? Come on. If you have something and can prove it, out with it. Otherwise you're just flapping your gums. Goes to both sides.

This post has been edited by zekeydekey: Nov 30 2006, 03:12 PM

[strbuk]

OK, conspiracy theorists - it's back.

Some things would have been ( and would be still) better left unsaid....


Paula (kfls)

[Steve in ATL]

I for one thought it was an amazing post, and I'm sorry it was lost!

[strbuk]

I for one thought it was an amazing post, and I'm sorry it was lost!

I thought it was amazing as well, I am just not too sure that lawyer type people would also find it as such....


Paula(kfls)

[ChrisH]

I have independently confirmed that THE floyd quote is word for word.

Summary of the context:
* Thomas A Fine picked at the scab that formed around this statement:

Let me sum up my opinion on Lemonds' statements. I would ask Satan for advice before calling Lemond.

Fine argued that either floyd or Lemond was lying and that given Lemond's penchant for exaggeration, he believed that it was Lemond.
* I posted that given the context, I read floyd's statement as saying that he wouldn't call Lemond for advice ever again. After re-reading/parsing floyd's statement, I added that it could be that Lemond called floyd or that floyd called but did not ask for advice.
* Chris E said that he had asked floyd to clarify the quote before but that apparently floyd wasn't going to do so.
* floyd clarified his position.

So, we asked and floyd answered.

[susie b]

OK, so what I would also like to know is what was the response here on the Forum after Floyd's missive? Was everyone just stunned? Gobsmacked? I would have to think there was a frenzy of posting. Care to share again?

When I saw it yesterday on TBV, I thought "wow" & as I said in another thread - in a war of words, I'd want to be on Floyd's team...

Beyond that, (C.E.- avert your eyes), from what I've read or heard on TV from Floyd since 2002, he is a "man who says what he means & means what he says" & is truly stunned when someone would twist his private conversations to their own public benefit. Which unfortunately, seems to be the rule these days. I guess Floyd just missed the classes on duplicity & back-stabbing.


(And yes C.E., Floyd does have a mighty-fine butt. Smak, smak,smak.)

[sundaymorning]

I'll end the suspense. This is what Floyd has on Greg:




(In fairness to Greg he was riding at a charity event)

[ludwig]

Wouldn't someone have to know both of these people intimately to know if any of this is justified?

Seems like a lot of bluster and in Floyd's case, unverified insinuations about what topic exactly? Come on. If you have something and can prove it, out with it. Otherwise you're just flapping your gums. Goes to both sides.

That is true. However happy we are that Floyd is here and giving us some insight into his thought process, the fact that his comments are so vague and cryptic doesn't help advance his case. It just makes it look as if there is a well of info out there that we fans have no access to.

This post has been edited by ludwig: Nov 30 2006, 04:37 PM

[RADUSA]

OK, so what I would also like to know is what was the response here on the Forum after Floyd's missive? Was everyone just stunned? Gobsmacked? I would have to think there was a frenzy of posting. Care to share again?

When I saw it yesterday on TBV, I thought "wow" & as I said in another thread - in a war of words, I'd want to be on Floyd's team...

Beyond that, (C.E.- avert your eyes), from what I've read or heard on TV from Floyd since 2002, he is a "man who says what he means & means what he says" & is truly stunned when someone would twist his private conversations to their own public benefit. Which unfortunately, seems to be the rule these days. I guess Floyd just missed the classes on duplicity & back-stabbing.
(And yes C.E., Floyd does have a mighty-fine butt. Smak, smak,smak.)

The reaction I remember was:

- Speculation about Lemond
- People saying we should't speculate as will lead to gossip
- Chris t. telling Floyd to throw away his phone
- Floyd thanking Chris t. for this grand advice though it was 3 months too late
- Mass confusion about what Floyd could be referring to

[strbuk]

That is true. However happy we are that Floyd is here and giving us some insight into his thought process, the fact that his comments are so vague and cryptic doesn't help advance his case. It just makes it look as if there is a well of info out there that we fans have no access to.

What makes you think you should have access to that "well of info"? No one owes the fans anything, they choose to be fans. I don't have access into your well of info, and frankly I think ( sometimes) I know too much about all of this already :-)

[pugdog]

What makes you think you should have access to that "well of info"? No one owes the fans anything, they choose to be fans. I don't have access into your well of info, and frankly I think ( sometimes) I know too much about all of this already :-)

[pugdog]

.....- Mass confusion about what Floyd could be referring to

Was that mass confusion or massive curiosity?

[RTT]

OK, conspiracy theorists - it's back.

All I can say is that last sentence of Floyd's makes me .

[John Sandberg]

I read this board everyday, spending way more time than I should rapt in the events and opinions that unfold.

I got home from hockey late Tues. night and read the last few pages of the "Lemond on drugs, Pound..." thread, in which there were some wonderful, poignant words (particularily by Kitty). When I got to THE QUOTE it literally felt like someone kicked me in the gut.

Below is the part that struck me the most.

I will tell you all some things that you will wish you didn't know and unfortunately I will have entered the race to the bottom which is now in progress.

After reading it I felt really sad, especially for the "race to the bottom which is now in progress" part.

One of the first responses to Floyd offered the advice: Floyd, take the high road. Nobody ever regrets taking it (the high road), because once you've thrown much it will forever stick to you.

That's great advice.

I hope these guys can talk to someone, their wife, best friend... someone, and just let it all out. And hopefully sort it all out. Seems to me no single race result or career of achievment is worth a lifetime of deception, but what do I know?. I have no idea who is deceptive, but clearly some are.

I'm glad Floyd posts here. I can't wait to watch him sing Badlands on the peloton again.

[Velo]

Really disappointed in Floyd for that post, regardless of what's going on between him and Lemond. Hopefully it was made in the heat of the moment, at least then the motivation for writing it would be more understandable.

[strbuk]

>>One of the first responses to Floyd offered the advice: Floyd, take the high road. Nobody ever regrets taking it (the high road), because once you've thrown much it will forever stick to you.

That's great advice<<

I wrote that, and I was not trying to be cryptic. I was only trying to express what I have learned from life's experiences.....

Paula ( kfls)

[Thomas A. Fine]

Fine argued that either floyd or Lemond was lying and that given Lemond's penchant for exaggeration, he believed that it was Lemond.

And I went on about how it seemed to be a pathological lie, because it's such a strange thing to lie about. But I was interpreting Floyd's "Satan" comment to mean there was no phone call. Now that we know there was a phone call, it seems slightly less pathological. Although we still have contradicting claims.

From cyclingnews.com:

So what did he think about Floyd Landis? "He called me for advice," LeMond replied. "I told him not to act as Tyler Hamilton did: deny, deny, deny. He's a good guy. I will keep to myself and respect what he told me, while waiting for the verdict of USADA. This guy's talented, I've known him for five, six years. Of course I have an opinion on this affair. If it turns out that he's guilty, he will really symbolise the tragedy of cycling. This guy had ethics, a good education. If he's positive, then there's not much hope for the others..."

And Floyd claimed something like he had never met him. Someone produced a picture showing them in the same place at the same time.

At this point, all the conflicts could be reduced to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. For example, suppose they were introduced and shook hands or something at some point. Floyd might still say they never met, since a handshake with a stranger is a pretty empty thing. Greg might say he's known him, just meaning that he was introduced to him, and watched his career. But I think it's a lot of effort to read Greg's statements in that way.

In other words, one of them is probably lying, but there is a little bit of wiggle room to allow for misinterpretations, if you stretch things a bit.

Finally, Floyd, if you're reading this, please don't enter the race to the bottom. It will hurt you, and the already strained public perception of you. You'll end up with the same tainted reputation that Greg has, or Betsy Andreu, or Simeoni, or anyone else that gets their name in the news by making inflammatory but unprovable statements in public (Dick Pound). If Greg really gave you some secret, keep it that way unless he decides to make it public on his own.

tom