Bad Journalism - Bicycling Lance Article

07-24-2004, 06:20 PM

If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or doesn't
print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine subscription
cancellations. The article sent via the web on 7/24 did not present the
facts, but was an emotional attack on Lance and cycling. Since when is
predicting the surfacing of a colder and spiteful Lance and then looking for
any signs to support that prediction good journalism? Joe continually
referred to Armstrong as ugly: "ugliest side broke out of the grandest
champion," "ugly agenda," "Amstrong's comment . . . is ugly." The final
straw is throwing facts out the window and stating that it just boiled down
to Lance wanting to make someone else fail. It even attacks Sheryl Crow....
why? I could go on, but you get the idea.

I am very disappointed that Bicycling supported this article. I am all for
learning both sides of the story and think both sides should be told. That
is why I read the article. But the story should be based on facts. If
someone has to constantly use terms such as "ugly" and add "freaking" to
someone's name and indicate Lance is cold and spiteful without any facts,
Bicycling should not publish the article. I am very hopeful that Bicycling
will realize that good judgment was not used in going forward with this
piece, especially on the eve of Lance's history-making sixth Tour de France
win. I sent Bicycling an e-mail (please feel free to send your own) and will
post their response here.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

07-24-2004, 07:15 PM

WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
> doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
> subscription cancellations.
(snipt)
>
>
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the opening
sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with everything the guy
writes, nor do I pretend to understand the relationship between Armstrong
and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In that light, however, I think Lindsey's
opinion is far from extreme. I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed
with what he's accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine that will
print the something other than "all Lance, all the time." Frankly the guy
raises some good questions.

....and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M a year
doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to garner his 15
minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing with a more objective
eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually publishing something other than
some marketing goo proclaiming the latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us
all to "climb like Lance."

'Course that's just my opinion.....

Tom

07-24-2004, 07:15 PM

WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
> doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
> subscription cancellations.
(snipt)
>
>
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the opening
sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with everything the guy
writes, nor do I pretend to understand the relationship between Armstrong
and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In that light, however, I think Lindsey's
opinion is far from extreme. I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed
with what he's accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine that will
print the something other than "all Lance, all the time." Frankly the guy
raises some good questions.

....and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M a year
doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to garner his 15
minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing with a more objective
eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually publishing something other than
some marketing goo proclaiming the latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us
all to "climb like Lance."

'Course that's just my opinion.....

Tom

07-24-2004, 07:15 PM

WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
> doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
> subscription cancellations.
(snipt)
>
>
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the opening
sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with everything the guy
writes, nor do I pretend to understand the relationship between Armstrong
and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In that light, however, I think Lindsey's
opinion is far from extreme. I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed
with what he's accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine that will
print the something other than "all Lance, all the time." Frankly the guy
raises some good questions.

....and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M a year
doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to garner his 15
minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing with a more objective
eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually publishing something other than
some marketing goo proclaiming the latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us
all to "climb like Lance."

'Course that's just my opinion.....

Tom

07-24-2004, 07:15 PM

WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
> doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
> subscription cancellations.
(snipt)
>
>
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the opening
sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with everything the guy
writes, nor do I pretend to understand the relationship between Armstrong
and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In that light, however, I think Lindsey's
opinion is far from extreme. I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed
with what he's accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine that will
print the something other than "all Lance, all the time." Frankly the guy
raises some good questions.

....and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M a year
doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to garner his 15
minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing with a more objective
eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually publishing something other than
some marketing goo proclaiming the latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us
all to "climb like Lance."

'Course that's just my opinion.....

Tom

07-24-2004, 07:15 PM

WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
> doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
> subscription cancellations.
(snipt)
>
>
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the opening
sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with everything the guy
writes, nor do I pretend to understand the relationship between Armstrong
and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In that light, however, I think Lindsey's
opinion is far from extreme. I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed
with what he's accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine that will
print the something other than "all Lance, all the time." Frankly the guy
raises some good questions.

....and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M a year
doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to garner his 15
minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing with a more objective
eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually publishing something other than
some marketing goo proclaiming the latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us
all to "climb like Lance."

'Course that's just my opinion.....

Tom

07-25-2004, 04:11 AM

tcmedara wrote:
|| WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
||| If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
||| doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
||| subscription cancellations.
|| (snipt)
|||
|||
||
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
||
|| I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the
|| opening sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with
|| everything the guy writes, nor do I pretend to understand the
|| relationship between Armstrong and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In
|| that light, however, I think Lindsey's opinion is far from extreme.
|| I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed with what he's
|| accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
|| Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine
|| that will print the something other than "all Lance, all the time."
|| Frankly the guy raises some good questions.
||
|| ...and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
|| sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M
|| a year doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to
|| garner his 15 minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing
|| with a more objective eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually
|| publishing something other than some marketing goo proclaiming the
|| latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us all to "climb like Lance."
||
|| 'Course that's just my opinion.....

I think the reason LA didn't chase down Simeoni the first time he broke away
is because he was too concerned about his own position in the race and
thought it too risky. When he did chase Simeoni down, he had his victory
virtually assured.

07-25-2004, 04:11 AM

tcmedara wrote:
|| WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
||| If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
||| doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
||| subscription cancellations.
|| (snipt)
|||
|||
||
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
||
|| I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the
|| opening sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with
|| everything the guy writes, nor do I pretend to understand the
|| relationship between Armstrong and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In
|| that light, however, I think Lindsey's opinion is far from extreme.
|| I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed with what he's
|| accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
|| Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine
|| that will print the something other than "all Lance, all the time."
|| Frankly the guy raises some good questions.
||
|| ...and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
|| sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M
|| a year doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to
|| garner his 15 minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing
|| with a more objective eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually
|| publishing something other than some marketing goo proclaiming the
|| latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us all to "climb like Lance."
||
|| 'Course that's just my opinion.....

I think the reason LA didn't chase down Simeoni the first time he broke away
is because he was too concerned about his own position in the race and
thought it too risky. When he did chase Simeoni down, he had his victory
virtually assured.

07-25-2004, 04:11 AM

tcmedara wrote:
|| WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
||| If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
||| doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
||| subscription cancellations.
|| (snipt)
|||
|||
||
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
||
|| I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the
|| opening sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with
|| everything the guy writes, nor do I pretend to understand the
|| relationship between Armstrong and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In
|| that light, however, I think Lindsey's opinion is far from extreme.
|| I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed with what he's
|| accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
|| Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine
|| that will print the something other than "all Lance, all the time."
|| Frankly the guy raises some good questions.
||
|| ...and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
|| sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M
|| a year doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to
|| garner his 15 minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing
|| with a more objective eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually
|| publishing something other than some marketing goo proclaiming the
|| latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us all to "climb like Lance."
||
|| 'Course that's just my opinion.....

I think the reason LA didn't chase down Simeoni the first time he broke away
is because he was too concerned about his own position in the race and
thought it too risky. When he did chase Simeoni down, he had his victory
virtually assured.

07-25-2004, 04:11 AM

tcmedara wrote:
|| WillW <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
||| If Bicycling ever prints or posts another article by Joe Lindsey, or
||| doesn't print an apology, they will see a large number of magazine
||| subscription cancellations.
|| (snipt)
|||
|||
||
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
||
|| I thought it was a well written piece. The key tip-off being the
|| opening sub-head were it reads "opinion". I don't agree with
|| everything the guy writes, nor do I pretend to understand the
|| relationship between Armstrong and Simeoni (I doubt few do!) In
|| that light, however, I think Lindsey's opinion is far from extreme.
|| I am a fan of Lance Armstrong and am amazed with what he's
|| accomplished in cycling, but I'm not so naive to think that
|| Armstrong can do no wrong. Further, I actually respect a magazine
|| that will print the something other than "all Lance, all the time."
|| Frankly the guy raises some good questions.
||
|| ...and he didn't "attack" Sheryl Crow. It was merely a good dose of
|| sarcasm. He was making that a guy dating Sheryl Crow and making $16M
|| a year doesn't have to worry about some no-name weasel trying to
|| garner his 15 minutes of fame. You might want to re-read the thing
|| with a more objective eye. I congratulate Bicycling for actually
|| publishing something other than some marketing goo proclaiming the
|| latest carbon doo-dad that will allow us all to "climb like Lance."
||
|| 'Course that's just my opinion.....

I think the reason LA didn't chase down Simeoni the first time he broke away
is because he was too concerned about his own position in the race and
thought it too risky. When he did chase Simeoni down, he had his victory
virtually assured.