Armstrong outrides legal woes

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By B.J. Bethel, Staff Writer 9:03 PM Sunday, February 5, 2012

Lance Armstrong has spent his adult life being chased by someone.

For years, it was fellow riders; then it was the accusers and detractors. Finally, it was the United States federal government. Armstrong won the last battle this past week when the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles announced there would be no charges against the famous cyclist and Texan for using performance-enhancing drugs before races.

The news was overdue. For a better part of the decade, the Justice Department — sometimes playing legal gymnastics with the Constitution — sought to prosecute retired athletes, particularly former steroid-using baseball players, over allegations of perjury.

After millions of dollars and years wasted, Barry Bonds was found guilty of obstruction of justice and will most likely receive no more than house arrest. Roger Clemens’ trial began last summer, and ended shortly after it was declared a mistrial. A second trial begins in two months.

Whether Bonds, Clemens or Armstrong cheated is one question, but the more salient question would be whether or not the government, at a time of deficits and austerity, should be spending millions in publicity-seeking trials for long-retired athletes, trials that are more about political careers than justice.

Bonds, Clemens and Armstrong shouldn’t be judged in a courtroom, but by the public and the fans that may or may not still adore them. That’s how it should be — not with the government policing the locker room, especially during a day and age when Congress and the Senate can’t manage to pass a budget.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2250 or at bjbethel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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