Shaun Asseal is an asshole! He has written other negative articles about BB before in ESPNmag.com. I realize Id probably have a better chance at a response by 'sweetening up' this letter, but Im pissed to the limit at this idoits ramblings! So here goes-to the writor AND the editor:
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Dear Mr Assael-
Its interesting to see that you are at it again in trying to defamate the bodybuilding community again with your ignorant statements about bodybuilding. Obviously this is a sport you dont understand-why dont you leave the reporting of it to someone who does actually have a working knowledge of the sport? Why do you take every opportunity to slam it and the practices of its athletes? I had written you in the past about your irresponsible reporting of deaths attritubed to steroid useage, in a previous article. Now of course the hot topic is ephedra. Which has been proven, time and time again in scientific study to be a very safe product when used correctly by healthy individuals. Incidentally, toxicology reports have not even been released by the ME involved in Belchers death. How about reporting on how dangerous it is for an overweight guy with high blood pressure, liver abnormalities, poor diet habits to exercies to absolute exhaustion in the brutal heat of a training camp, when clearly he is not in the condition or health to do so? And that such persons should certainly not, as it is indicated, use any stimulants in such an ignorant and irresponsible manner? Less than 100 deaths can be attributed to ephedra. Asprin has well over 100 PER YEAR. Tylenol has 400+. Prozac has 500+. Lets put this into perspective-it is a safe product even besides the dim witted abuse of such guys as Belcher; although as was mentioned there is absolutely no proof of his use of ephedra as of yet. It just shows the overzealous attempt to condemn such products-even when there are so many other factors involved in the tradgedy.
As for your comment about the 9YO and steroids, nice try but no 9YO kid would get that information from the Expo. I challenge that you are a liar, but dont worry - it will get a big ohhh and ahhh from all the average readers. As is your intent Im sure. And you claim the industry is so good at hype? What a hypocrite you are! We bodybuilders and Fitness enthusiasts are speaking out in reply to hype like the articles you write, which have no basis on fact and teach misconceptions to the average person. Now we have a long hard fight to bring the actual truth to people, as its necessary to battle back from mainstream reporting of non-truths similar and like your writings. I personally know Mr. Gann, Mr. Rick Collins, and his lawfirm associates very well. They are a group interested in preserving the rights of Americans to use substances that are relatively harmless, say in comparrison to your average OTC products. If you want to ridicule this activist group (and Im sure your listened to their stance with an open mind - and ice water is served in hell)-you can also continue to give up your rights to freedom and submit to more and more regulation and unwanted government intervention as individual liberty in this country goes down the tubes. If thats your desire, fine. But sorry chum, Id like to keep my eroding freedoms intact and thank god for guys like Rick Collins and Marc Gann and their law firm.
The 2lbs of protein bars making you sick? Claims of genetic reengineering making your head swim? Cant decide if you need a PhD to conclude wheather 'juiced' creatine is good for you? Care to divulge your daily diet and supplementation plan? The atheletes involved in the Expo have a clear cut mission regarding their diet and training. Sir, must your admitted ignorance (using the quotes above) on supplementation and diet preclude a horrible picture be painted regarding the Bodybuilding supplementation industry and its members? Im sure you did not have to even attend the Arnold Expo event to make the report you did. You have a narrow, predjucided view of this sport, and your tone of the article was predetermined before you ever set foot into the convention center. Perhaps you would like to share ideas with an expert on the subject such as myself, or the lawfirm of Rick Collins and Marc Gann? I I challenge you, but actually I dont think your ignorance needs any more exposure. If you cannot report responsibly in an educated manner, please just keep your pen still and save the ink for an article on a sport that you do have some learned knowledge about. Your comical hype and ridicule of the Bodybuilding and Fitness world is a disgrace to responsible journalism.
Sincerely,
MikeS
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