[Dottore]

The German news magazine Der Spiegel carried an 8 page feature on Lance Armstrong this week. It summarizes the doping evidence — about which there is no more doubt — and the systematic way in which Armstrong lied about this over the years, the crude intimidation tactics he employed with close friends and teammates to keep them towing the line, the corruption and the payoffs etc. etc.

I must say I've really had to revise my view of the man in light of this and similar articles that are now appearing. He comes across as a supremely arrogant and vicious liar who was absolutely ruthless with people who stood in his way or contradicted his methods.

That is on the one hand. On the other hand there are the Tours that he won. And the charity work.

I gather that he's going to appear on Oprah this coming week to confess and seek public absolution for all these years of lies and cheating. I gather he sees this as his best move in order to salvage something of his career. People who know him claim the man absolutely cannot be contrite, and that this whole Oprah thing will be a huge charade.

So what do you guys think? Are you prepared to accept his apology?