THE YEAR OF THE DOPERS !

Sensation follows sensation as the New Year of Cycling Sport gets underway ! Most people thought Lance had gone away in October 2012 , but up pops his ugly past , when he sat down with Oprah in January ! It came as no surprise to find that he focused on himself alone . Most thought , he would name , Names ,  describe methods and reveal financiers . Nope , it was ALL about himself , SAD !

In the past 24hrs , Australian Authorities revealed , what was already revealed in the " Donati Report ", remember how i keep dragging up that story ? Yes , the Australian Government , has not been asleep at the wheel , there has been much going on behind the scenes . Barely 12 months before , Birotte the US Lawyer , closed down the Grand Jury Inquiry , over the protests of his investigators , who had amassed substantial evidence , that they believed would succeed in the Courts , in obtaining  convictions against their targets .

At the beginning of last week the Spanish Courts , started hearing evidence against a " Dr Fuentes " , long believed to be the mastermind of " Doping / PED Product Usage "! Bear in mind that the Spanish Police , raided his premises in the 2005/6 period . Analysis of the product confiscated , revealed that his clients came from a variety of Sports & Countries and Bags of blood were labelled with " Code Names "! Some Cycle Racers , used the names of their dogs , to hide their identities . Over the years we have heard of Cycle Racers getting " Sick " , too many of these " absenses " could be put down to Racers being given , someone else's Blood ?

Additionally in recent weeks ,  Police in Southern Spain , arrested former professional cyclist José Luis Martinez , and uncovered what they believe is a Europe-wide network providing doping products.

Recent weeks have seen a great deal of controversy , surface in the Sports Columns of many Aussie Newspapers , since Essendon and Geelong Clubs have come under the microscope , due to certain Sports Doctors having tainted associations , back in the 2003 period .

Those reading these blogs will know of my disdain for a particular individual , phat mc splat and his sidekick Nein , as they run the " UCI organisation from one disaster into another ! The aigle tag team duo , created the " Independent Commission into UCI " , in November and when in January 2013 , it displayed it's independence , they derailed it's progress , to avoid delivering the documentation that it claims to have collected , so that it could do it's work , claiming that it would conflict with the next bright idea that occured to them , a Truth & Reconciliation Commission !

Arriving at a " Procedural Hearing of the UCIIC " in January , phat mc splat was accompanied by a Queens Councell ( reported to cost $2500/hr ) & 6 lawyers , all there to say what , you & I , could say ourselves , if we had nothing to hide . When the UCI Auditors get to inspect the books , they will see why UCI , set aside $5 million to cover the expected costs of the inquiry . Had the books of UCI been pristine clean , i doubt that there would have been the necessity to conduct an Inquiry , but all i , a member of the public can see , is the departure of long serving members of the UCI Administration . Some no doubt leave because after 15 years , another significantly worthwhile , career enhancing post arises . Others leave because they are expected to sign " Change of Employment Contracts " , that blindfold , gag and handcuff them !

 Another matter surfaced this week , which does not reflect well on the ASADA ! It would appear that this Organisation has some of the short comings of the USADA , in respect to treatment of evidence :

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/retired-pro-banned-by-asada-in-questionable-process

Seems that two brothers and their father are woven into this saga .

With Australian Authorities hard at work , utilising the Evidence gathered , time will reveal the prosecution of a considerable number of Athletes , across a broad spectrum of Sports . It seems to me that the most likely candidates for prosecution , will be the low men on the totem pole . Easier to drag before the courts , those without the resouces to fight their corner ! Taking on the " Stars " of a Sport , will be another matter , since they will most likely go the route of the flandises & shamiltons of this world , and sell their supporters the " I am Innocent " routine , swallowing money and resources , whilst they seek " Justice "?

Australia has brought John Fahey into the mix , since he is not only a retired Premier of New South Wales State Government , but currently head of WADA !  His thoughts on the situation can be found here :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/9856299/Wada-chief-says-drugs-epidemic-is-inevitable-in-British-sport-after-Australian-doping-scandal.html

Those of you recalling the last Tour de France , which i saw as a " One Horse Race ", will agree with the likelihood that Team SKY , could find a lot of interest focussing on those that departed their Administration  ranks after the " Zero Tolerance Policy " was announced .

Those that attended Thursday's , Australian Conference , will be able to be more effective in the coming months , since New Legislation was introduced to Federal Parliament and the ASADA was supplied with an increased Budget to fight the " Doping / PIED Scourge " , that threatens Australian Sport .

Coming out of the Australian Conference was a change of emphasis , since " PED -Performance Enhancing Drugs " is now to be regarded as  " PIED _Performance & Image Enhancing Drugs "! With the word " Image " being added , there is now a broader spectrum , thus incorporating the " Shamateur as well as Pro Sports Athletes "! This change of approach , highlights the cultural shift in society  which is breeding tolerance to the taking of supplements and making the job of the anti-dopers harder.

 The online sales and use of hormones and steroids in gyms is a rising problem. Some of you may recall the WADA Conference in Stockholm , mid 2012 , where the theme was related to the Population in general . Once again i would remind ALL , of the " Donati Report " which , highlights these subjects , upto 2006 . I wonder when this report will be updated , thus allowing more of the unpalatable truth to be exposed ?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/9856321/Australian-drugs-scandal-reveals-how-criminal-underworlds-vice-like-grip-is-choking-sport.html

Internet Marketing has reached the point where , in past years , i would write a post on " Anti Doping " , then find Google , had  posted Ads for " Doping Suppliers " ! Defies belief that they could be so stupid as to allow their search engines to behave in this way ? 

In conclusion , it would appear that Olympic Sport , World wide , is run by an Organisation , that tries to duck responsibility for " fixing the Wheel " ! But the IOC is not alone , in as much as you will find that the World Champion Paralympic Curling Champion , was subject to a 2 year sanction for swallowing his dead wife's " birth control pills ! That furfy was introduced in the defence argument ,  like Alberto Contador's " Tainted beef " story  and shamilton's " Twin birth " story . 

Last year i introduced two Petitions , that i thought would help Athletes , to find a way to reveal their Past " Misdeeds " :


http://www.change.org/petitions/wada-create-an-amnesty-in-all-sports …
&
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/office-of-the-governor-general-of-australia-create-the-means-for-a-sports-amnesty-in-australia#invite …

Had the racers and the Public , decided to join me in promoting this approach , perhaps differently worded , we ALL would be able top avoid the next months and years of the " groans & exclamations " as we open the newspaper , watch the TV or access the internet and discover , yet more of the relevations relating to " Athletes Prosecuted "!

Mr President , YOU'VE BLOWN IT !

Executive Orders are the preserve of Presidents ! I am led to believe , that the US President , can use these  " Executive Orders " to send US Troops , to WAR , for about a Hundred Days , without the permission of Congress ?

Is there not a war on US streets , at present ? CNN News , after showing that News conference you spoke at , creating the " Joe Biden Panel of Experts ", advised the viewers of several pertinent stastistics .That Press Conference , i was led to believe , WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT " GUN CONTROL " , but became more a discussion , about the " fiscal cliff",  showed Alarming statistics about Annual Shootings !

 There are CNN stated , an average of 268 " Shootings " , each day in the USA , more than 97000 in a year ! Is that not a WAR ? In YOUR Neighbourhoods , on YOUR streets , amongst your VOTERS and Families ! Guess what ? Those that are shot , in the most part , are Innocents ! They got up in the morning not knowing how their day would finish . Few of those 268 each day , until Joe Biden reports , will be thanking you , for the unfortunate situation , they will find themselves in , that is , if they LIVE ! At a guess you will be innaugerated on the 21st january , shall we say 35 days time ? If you acted on that day , then about 19400 more shootings will have taken place . The State of the Union speech will follow some days later and by that time School will be back .

Tuesday we were advised that a Neighbouring School to Newtown , went into " Lockdown ", nervous reaction to a report to the Police ? But even before you arrived in Newtown , some " Fool " called in a " Bomb Threat " , disrupting the Church Service and distressing those in the congregation ! How much more mischief will take place whilst the USA , awaits Joe Biden's recommendations ? How many LIVES will be LOST ?

GUNS are flying off the shelves , every type , including Assault Weapons . The only glimmer of sense in the last days , are " Reports "of one enterprise " Dick's Guns " , removing Stock from display , perhaps , that means from Sale , also ? Another encouraging matter , was the report that a " Teachers Investment Fund , has caused a large Gun  Manufacturer's owner / investor to divest themselves of that investment .

Whilst there are certain controls in place , to ensure ONLY those that meet " Legal  Requirements ", can obtain weapons , there has to be occasion for ALARM ! Last year CNN reports , 16,484,000+ background checks were conducted on those involved in a Gun Purchase ! To November this year , the report says , 16,800,000 Background checks  have been conducted ! So with the current " Outrage " fresh in their minds , purchasers are buying at " inflated prices " , any " ASSAULT Weapons " that are still available  for walk away purchase ! Could it be new sales records will be made in December 2012 ?

Senator Feinstein is currently seeking to reintroduce the " Legislation " that was repealed in 2004 , that same legislation Joe Biden , introduced in1994 ! What did Vice President Biden say to you about this Legislation before you arrived on the Podium today ? Could it be , that he , Vice President Biden in your shoes , would have used " EXECUTIVE ORDERS ", to reintroduce that Legislation , effective TODAY ?

When i wrote the blog post , "  http://skippi-cyclist.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-i-were-president.html " on Monday , i tweeted @whitehouse with the link . AS an Australian , i was Proud of OUR Prime Minister , donning a " Bullet Proof Vest " to make his Point with Parliament . Within 16 days of that incident , Parliament enacted Laws , banning many Weapons . Laws that the Australian Public demanded , which the Port Arthur Tragedy made necessary !  Before this " outrage " , there had been others , but the use of those Assault Weapons  at Port Arthur  was the catalyst of this Legislation , that has seen , NO REPEATED " Outrages "  SINCE !

Congress is a " Funny Creature " , we only need to look at the " Fiscal Cliff Problem " , just saw the " Speaker " toss the Gauntlet , to see that the behaviour there , can be irrational !  However , even though YOU do not need to worry about being " Re elected " , YOU have the need to create a Legacy ! Medicare , in my mind is commendable , but sitting by for the next weeks , whilst Gun Stores are emptied of Stock , is not the Legacy that ANY Rational Politician would want ? As a Parent , you have displayed your feelings for the Grief Stricken . Aurora was another occasion that you displayed your compassion , but there also , you promised action ?

Congress , supposedly rises on Friday for the " Holidays " , can be caused , to reintroduce the " Assault Weapon Legislation " effective IMMEDIATELY ! As president , i should have thought , you have the Political Markers required to get the Legislation Re enacted !

With Respect Mr President , NO ACTION is NOT AN OPTION , for those that will become statistics in the next weeks . In your speech today , you spoke of a Mother , a Law Enforcement Officer , Killed since last Friday , of several other L.E.O. killed in service to their communities during the past days . None of these would have been saved had you acted on Friday , BUT , how many of the nearly 20000 , mentioned before CAN BE SAVED , if you Act ?

Christmas , is a stressful period for so many people , with Stress and Alcohol and unresolved  Family problems , this period  is like a tinder box where  unresolved issues flare . Weapons in the home now , that need not be there , even Assault Weapons , unsecured perhaps , will find their way into the hands of the " Conflicted . Any Legislation that removes them , will  ensure a safer future !

  Can YOU make Christmas 2013 , safer by ACTION NOW ?



NB Just found this Petition created by 4th Graders at NewTown, CT.USA :

http://www.change.org/petitions/president-obama-and-congress-ban-semi-automatic-weapons-and-large-capacity-magazines#

My Petition :

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/president-of-united-states-of-america-repeal-the-2nd-amendment