4 ms·

As a European I never understood why Armstrong had it so rough, almost every top tour contestant from the era and going back almost 50 years have been doped, ma

As a European I never understood why Armstrong had it so rough, almost every top tour contestant from the era and going back almost 50 years have been doped, many of them have even admitted it. Yet Armstrong got completely fucked by it. I used to think it was because America handles liars and cheats different than us, but looking at your bankers and wallstreeters go free as well as Trump winning and remaining in the White House, it seems that you're not rougher on liars and cheats than we are. So what was it? Was Armstrong really that much of an asshole?

Overtonwindow 9y ago
America has a very vengeful streak. We don't just get angry when we disagree, we take vengeance and retribution to an entirely new level.
SOLAR_FIELDS 9y ago
If we are trying to draw comparison between Armstrong and political wrongdoing, it seems somewhat straightforward: in the case of Armstrong, it's much more black and white than in the case of bankers and politicians. He admitted wrongdoing and put himself on the cross for the nation. Contrasted with the case of bankers and politicians, who dwell in the eternal grey area, never once owning up to their misdeeds, the comparative black-and-white of Armstrong's admittance makes it much easier to have a simple and straightforward moral enmity. Humanity likes to deal in black and white situations, and Armstrong's is much more black and white than anyone else. If he had not admitted his wrongs the vitriol would not be as strong and the impact would not have been as large. As much of an asshole as Armstrong is purported to be, because he actually stood up and spoke out, he deserves so much more respect than those who have done so much worse and fade into the grey wall of evil in obscurity. If we are to consider our society to be based on some sort of ethics, it is clearly a wrong that has been accomplished on Armstrong's part and he definitely deserved at least a good portion of what happened to him. But to see a man who really did not much more than make a fool out of a beloved sport crucified more than those who have actually contributed to the financial ruin of millions of Americans by facilitating the financial crisis, for instance, is nothing short of depressing. And do not interpret my comment the wrong way: I feel no sympathy for Armstrong. The absolute worst case scenario for him touched on in the article is that he loses the lawsuit and has to pay away everything but keeps his apparently untouchable 8 million dollar home in Austin, which he might be forced to sell and then live a comfortably upper middle class lifestyle that would still be better than most of the better off earners here on HN.
kamaal 9y ago
Armstrong had become some thing more than a successful athlete. He is an inspiration for anybody who has suffered and lost everything in life and has come back and done great things in life. He is a cancer survivor, who also won the most grueling athletic competitions of the modern times. He must have cheated. But I see it nothing more than those succeed due to things like affirmative action. And he is hated for exactly the same reasons. Other capable people do not see why he must be excused or they be made to swallow up a loss, for a problem that is not theirs.

Overtonwindow 9y ago

America has a very vengeful streak. We don't just get angry when we disagree, we take vengeance and retribution to an entirely new level.

SOLAR_FIELDS 9y ago

If we are trying to draw comparison between Armstrong and political wrongdoing, it seems somewhat straightforward: in the case of Armstrong, it's much more black and white than in the case of bankers and politicians. He admitted wrongdoing and put himself on the cross for the nation. Contrasted with the case of bankers and politicians, who dwell in the eternal grey area, never once owning up to their misdeeds, the comparative black-and-white of Armstrong's admittance makes it much easier to have a simple and straightforward moral enmity. Humanity likes to deal in black and white situations, and Armstrong's is much more black and white than anyone else. If he had not admitted his wrongs the vitriol would not be as strong and the impact would not have been as large. As much of an asshole as Armstrong is purported to be, because he actually stood up and spoke out, he deserves so much more respect than those who have done so much worse and fade into the grey wall of evil in obscurity. If we are to consider our society to be based on some sort of ethics, it is clearly a wrong that has been accomplished on Armstrong's part and he definitely deserved at least a good portion of what happened to him. But to see a man who really did not much more than make a fool out of a beloved sport crucified more than those who have actually contributed to the financial ruin of millions of Americans by facilitating the financial crisis, for instance, is nothing short of depressing. And do not interpret my comment the wrong way: I feel no sympathy for Armstrong. The absolute worst case scenario for him touched on in the article is that he loses the lawsuit and has to pay away everything but keeps his apparently untouchable 8 million dollar home in Austin, which he might be forced to sell and then live a comfortably upper middle class lifestyle that would still be better than most of the better off earners here on HN.

kamaal 9y ago

Armstrong had become some thing more than a successful athlete. He is an inspiration for anybody who has suffered and lost everything in life and has come back and done great things in life. He is a cancer survivor, who also won the most grueling athletic competitions of the modern times. He must have cheated. But I see it nothing more than those succeed due to things like affirmative action. And he is hated for exactly the same reasons. Other capable people do not see why he must be excused or they be made to swallow up a loss, for a problem that is not theirs.