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The Baltimore Sun article in the 2/19 Sports section-
STEROID USE IN SPORTS MAKES FOR JUICY DEBATE
-gives the rare opportunity to voice opinion on the issue.
Needless to say, I was writting away!
Here we go:
****************************************
Props to the Baltimore Sun, for having the vision to express a rarely heard side to the steroid issue, and invite response from its readers.
The recent steroid hysteria, which included a spot in the recent State of the Union speech-expressing the ‘dangers’ of steroids and its harm to the public and sports, is completely unfounded in fact. If sports governing bodies choose to ban anabolic steroids in attempt to even a fair playing field, that is their option - when the powers to be in these sports along with player unions decide together for its individual sports-professional or amateur. But for these bodies to attempt to control the media and an entire population and lobby lawmakers, this power move goes to far. Steroids are, by comparison, relatively safe drugs when not abused. Actually even during their so-call abuse great harm has not been shown. Surely no one wants our youth involved, but the current laws have not deterred that. If all these athletes are using steroids to the degree advertised, why aren’t these people dropping like flies, as dangerous as these hormones are reported to be? Or, even suffering serious long term illnesses? Its not as if the usage is a new thing, athletes have been using them since the early 60s, over 40 years ago. The one and only damning, glaring story of the Lyle Alzado death, has been misrepresented. Alzado died of brain cancer, the type being a typical result of AIDS. Alzado‘s claimed cause of terminal illness being a cover-up, to hide the fact he was suffering from a ‘gay’ disease. No steroid will or has caused any type of brain cancer. Fact is only 11 deaths, out of a million users at any one time for decades, can be even indirectly attributed to steroids. Compare that to the shocking average of death by legal liposuction, being 30 per 1000! The majority of steroid users use them for cosmetic reasons also - to gain a little strength and muscle, thereby improving their physique. And these are the people paying the legal price for the recent ‘reefer-madness’ like hysteria about steroids now, and their barbaric laws-not the pro athletes. The therapeutic uses - as a valuable anti aging aid, and waste disease prevention (among other uses) - far outweigh the so-called dangers. Being lower HDL levels, liver function ‘alterations’ (not yet determined to be dangerous), hair loss and altered estrogen levels-most of which are preventable with educated, intelligent use and monitoring. But physician monitored use can not be achieved within the current legal confines. These laws were made, again, to appease the sports (Olympic) powers. A knee jerk reaction to the Ben Johnson steroid scandal in the 1988 Olympics. Thus the resulting Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, pushed through DESPITE the testimonial vehement objections (look it up!) of the actual experts - the DEA, FDA, AMA, and the National Institute of Drug Abuse. And still, the sports governing bodies control the laws, with no basis in medical fact. And how many professional athletes are paying the legal price from these laws? None-the average gym enthusiast-who works hard, eats right, strives to lead a ‘clean’ life, and is representing a cross section of American Pie, will be raided and jailed due to these unfair laws. The laws legally lump and classify steroids with Schedule III drug such as LSD, Barbiturates, amphetamines, opiate narcotics. While smoking, drinking, are killing millions. And dangerous procedures for the typical lazy Americans like liposuction, breast enhancement, plastic surgery are done legally and applauded. Ever see ‘Extreme Makeover‘? The person is obese and looks horrible. They undergo a risky operation (usually several) and come out looking like they were assaulted by an 18-wheel Mack Truck! And then often suffer severe medical reactions during the long healing process. But then the show their new selves, if the live to do so, to their loved ones - and everyone is happy and cheering. How wonderful! But the hard working fitness lover, risks a ruined and scorned life of jail and humiliation. All to appease the fat-cat sport governing bodies. This must stop! The most harmful effect from steroid usage is, by far, the unfair legal repercussions! Let the sports have their regulations-but limit their power to the sports they regulate, and stop imposing their moralities and ethics on the average person who wishes to improve their physique.
Thank you again, Baltimore Sun, for the opportunity to show another side to the otherwise over-hyped steroid issue.
*******************************************
To further urge them to print my commentary I followed up-
CONTACT US:
Please note my submission of opinion on the Article in the 2/19 Sports section about Steroid Use in Sports. I implore you to print my commentary-and I thank you for the opportunity to voice my knowledge. I have studied performance enhancing drugs and endocrinology, along with many related sports sciences, for 20 years. I have written articles in major publications (Muscular Development), a significant portion of the ground breaking book by Rick Collins-LEGAL MUSCLE (please read!), and commentary in many magazines and online publications concerning the anabolic steroid issue. I am currently a Personal trainer for Ballys Fitness. Thank you again and I look forward to reading my commentary Tuesday, and hopefully further opportunity to voice educated editorial.
********************************
Hope its published-I'll follow up with report if so.
STEROID USE IN SPORTS MAKES FOR JUICY DEBATE
-gives the rare opportunity to voice opinion on the issue.
Needless to say, I was writting away!
Here we go:
****************************************
Props to the Baltimore Sun, for having the vision to express a rarely heard side to the steroid issue, and invite response from its readers.
The recent steroid hysteria, which included a spot in the recent State of the Union speech-expressing the ‘dangers’ of steroids and its harm to the public and sports, is completely unfounded in fact. If sports governing bodies choose to ban anabolic steroids in attempt to even a fair playing field, that is their option - when the powers to be in these sports along with player unions decide together for its individual sports-professional or amateur. But for these bodies to attempt to control the media and an entire population and lobby lawmakers, this power move goes to far. Steroids are, by comparison, relatively safe drugs when not abused. Actually even during their so-call abuse great harm has not been shown. Surely no one wants our youth involved, but the current laws have not deterred that. If all these athletes are using steroids to the degree advertised, why aren’t these people dropping like flies, as dangerous as these hormones are reported to be? Or, even suffering serious long term illnesses? Its not as if the usage is a new thing, athletes have been using them since the early 60s, over 40 years ago. The one and only damning, glaring story of the Lyle Alzado death, has been misrepresented. Alzado died of brain cancer, the type being a typical result of AIDS. Alzado‘s claimed cause of terminal illness being a cover-up, to hide the fact he was suffering from a ‘gay’ disease. No steroid will or has caused any type of brain cancer. Fact is only 11 deaths, out of a million users at any one time for decades, can be even indirectly attributed to steroids. Compare that to the shocking average of death by legal liposuction, being 30 per 1000! The majority of steroid users use them for cosmetic reasons also - to gain a little strength and muscle, thereby improving their physique. And these are the people paying the legal price for the recent ‘reefer-madness’ like hysteria about steroids now, and their barbaric laws-not the pro athletes. The therapeutic uses - as a valuable anti aging aid, and waste disease prevention (among other uses) - far outweigh the so-called dangers. Being lower HDL levels, liver function ‘alterations’ (not yet determined to be dangerous), hair loss and altered estrogen levels-most of which are preventable with educated, intelligent use and monitoring. But physician monitored use can not be achieved within the current legal confines. These laws were made, again, to appease the sports (Olympic) powers. A knee jerk reaction to the Ben Johnson steroid scandal in the 1988 Olympics. Thus the resulting Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, pushed through DESPITE the testimonial vehement objections (look it up!) of the actual experts - the DEA, FDA, AMA, and the National Institute of Drug Abuse. And still, the sports governing bodies control the laws, with no basis in medical fact. And how many professional athletes are paying the legal price from these laws? None-the average gym enthusiast-who works hard, eats right, strives to lead a ‘clean’ life, and is representing a cross section of American Pie, will be raided and jailed due to these unfair laws. The laws legally lump and classify steroids with Schedule III drug such as LSD, Barbiturates, amphetamines, opiate narcotics. While smoking, drinking, are killing millions. And dangerous procedures for the typical lazy Americans like liposuction, breast enhancement, plastic surgery are done legally and applauded. Ever see ‘Extreme Makeover‘? The person is obese and looks horrible. They undergo a risky operation (usually several) and come out looking like they were assaulted by an 18-wheel Mack Truck! And then often suffer severe medical reactions during the long healing process. But then the show their new selves, if the live to do so, to their loved ones - and everyone is happy and cheering. How wonderful! But the hard working fitness lover, risks a ruined and scorned life of jail and humiliation. All to appease the fat-cat sport governing bodies. This must stop! The most harmful effect from steroid usage is, by far, the unfair legal repercussions! Let the sports have their regulations-but limit their power to the sports they regulate, and stop imposing their moralities and ethics on the average person who wishes to improve their physique.
Thank you again, Baltimore Sun, for the opportunity to show another side to the otherwise over-hyped steroid issue.
*******************************************
To further urge them to print my commentary I followed up-
CONTACT US:
Please note my submission of opinion on the Article in the 2/19 Sports section about Steroid Use in Sports. I implore you to print my commentary-and I thank you for the opportunity to voice my knowledge. I have studied performance enhancing drugs and endocrinology, along with many related sports sciences, for 20 years. I have written articles in major publications (Muscular Development), a significant portion of the ground breaking book by Rick Collins-LEGAL MUSCLE (please read!), and commentary in many magazines and online publications concerning the anabolic steroid issue. I am currently a Personal trainer for Ballys Fitness. Thank you again and I look forward to reading my commentary Tuesday, and hopefully further opportunity to voice educated editorial.
********************************
Hope its published-I'll follow up with report if so.
