I ran across this Article on Doping while browsing the blogosphere. The topic of doping came up several times while I was home at thanksgiving. When ever people would be asking me about riding it was only a matter of time before the question came up... "So do you think that Lance was clean?"
It seems that everyone wants to believe that he was, I sure did. I remember reading his books and being positively inspired. Thinking such thoughts as "there is no limit to what the human body is capable of" and being really genuinely... well, inspired. I used to describe him to people as a super human and would get super exited when the the subject came up.
After reading David Walsh's book from Lance to Landis and articles like the one I found this morning I think the answer that I've arrived at is no way no how do I believe Lance won 7 Tours clean. That being said I'm sort of tired of talking about it and thinking about it. I think in many circumstances the athletes are a victim of the sport of cycling.
But in my opinion Lance Armstrong is a grade A certifiable asshole. Champion or not I don't care anymore. The do whatever it takes to win no matter what even if its illegal and have a huge giant freakin ego and treat people like crap mentality is not one that I respect nor care to emulate.
But regardless, one thing is for sure, this blogger's list of hero's just got smaller by one name.

So who are the real heros? well that's a question that I'm sure varies a great deal depending on who you ask.
I think the first question is what is a hero?
Is it someone who works super hard and makes sacrifices for his kids so they can have opportunities that he never had?
Or is it some pop culture icon who somewhere along the line traded in moral fiber, character, and values for a couple mill and notoriety?
I think Heros and role models are kinda like the middle class of this country. They are disappearing and no one seems to notice or care.
Or maybe the notion of what a hero means is disappearing. In a world where pop culture infiltrates nearly every aspect of our lives it is not surprising.
Or maybe its not all that big of deal.
Or maybe I should be memorizing polyatomic ions.