Armstrong's Razor

Imagine a company that sells cabinets. That company becomes the best cabinet selling company in the world, and subsequently gains a lot of admiration from the press and a lot of ire from its competitors. Now imagine that for seven years straight, that company is forced to have an auditor on-site, every day, all day, scrutinizing every action...checking every dollar in and out...and waiting to pounce if a single business infraction occurs. At the end of those seven years though, the auditor has found not one single infraction worth citing.
Nevertheless, after a few more years the company is accused of shady business practices and a Federal investigation ensues. The Federal investigators interview dozens of employees, dig through thousands of pages of business records, and scrutinize the company on everything. At the end of that investigation, all charges are dropped - the business is declared sound.
Then a private group...the Cabinet Selling Companies of America charges the company with wrongdoing.

Are we really expected to believe the company is going to be found guilty?

I am not saying Lance Armstrong is without a doubt innocent. I cannot possibly know. But I do know he is the most investigated athlete in history, over 500 blood samples were taken from him during his cycling career (all negative). Investigation after investigation has come up with nothing.
So when I see the USADA come after him, using the same witnesses a Federal investigation found insufficient for charges...I have to wonder if this is just another hack at him.

As my friend Adam says "Lance Armstrong is either the greatest athlete of all time or the greatest liar of all time." Which is more likely? A ten year long conspiracy that foiled hundreds of blood tests, investigations and video surveillance...or he simply did not dope?

What really bothers me about this is that the USADA has to be the stupidest group of people in the world. Stripping Lance Armstrong of 7 Tour de France titles will absolutely decimate the U.S. cycling business. I bought a Trek road cycle and Team Postal/Discovery/Radioshack gear because of him. So did millions of other people. Kill our hero, and you kill our love of the sport. The USADA should have his back, not be putting a dagger in it.


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