Friday, July 02, 2004

Stinky French: France has been the target of a lot of hatred for not backing our foray into Iraq. The French veto does bother me a little, but I don't get too worked up over it. I know that it's just one disagreement, and we'll have plenty of reasons to work together on future endeavors.

No, I'm furious at the French for an entirely different reason.

It's Tour de France time again, and all eyes are on Texas-bred Lance Armstrong to see if he can win it all, once more. And that also means that many French people will be talking trash about the American bicyclist, writing lies about him in newspapers and magazines, and screaming obscenities at him during the race -- all accusing him of illegally using performance-enhancing drugs to win.

Lance Armstrong has won the Tour de France five years in a row. Every year the accusations fly. And every year invasive drug tests show that he hasn't done anything wrong.

The only evidence that leads the French to believe Lance Armstrong has been doping is that he is a cancer survivor. Nobody, they say, could be able to beat cancer and then become a world-class athlete. No, hard work and determination have nothing to do with it.

That's all they have to go on. So essentially, they're condemning Lance Armstrong for having the gall to contract cancer, beat cancer, and then leave all excuses behind to become one of the best athletes who ever lived.

Lance Armstrong has a chance to win a record sixth Tour de France. Even if he doesn't, this man is still a living legend and an inspiration who should be recognized by all -- even the French.