I don't. Why would you assume I did? I've known enough athletes to know that those that are truly naturally gifted at the professional level, i.e., those who don't indulge, are the ones that those who do indulge think they need to catch up with, both mentally AND physically.The steroid users that I've met (and heard about, but that's hearsay) have one advantage only: raw strength. Outside of weightlifting, that doesn't offer much, esp. due to the decrease in mental acuity.Good idea. I like it.Ah, the old 'what will it do to the children?' gambit. Doesn't wash with me. That's where parents come in.The left? Who are you talking about? As to the consequences, if they take them, fine. If they die from them, fine.Excuse me, but WTF are you going on about? You shouldn't have to pay for any of that. Who brought this up other than you?Fuck Lyle Alzado. You really need to stop reading things into what you read that aren't really there.

I don't understand where your histrionic rant comes from, but it's not from me.

Good luck.

__________________
All things serve The Beam

If you'll read the full exchange between myself and Slon, you'll see that I wasn't singling out steroids. As for whether they're beneficial or not, yes, they are when used properly and for the purpose intended. Do they have adverse reactions? Yes. Does everyone suffer from the adverse reactions? No. I can no longer take cortisone (Medrol dose pack) because within one hour of taking the first dose, my legs swell and my back hurts. Yet, I had taken them at least twice a year for about six years for a variety of ailments. They built up in my body to the point that I started having the adverse reactions and was told to not take them anymore.
Cortisone is a synthetic adrenal steroid that benefits millions of people but can have many side effects. My late step-mother became a bitch when she took them. My late husband was testy when he took them. My mother had no ill effects from them. There's a reason why prescription drugs are given to people under the care of a physician and not a personal trainer! My argument with Slon was that we can't possibly make these drugs OTC and expect a layman to know how to take it properly. A person can't just walk into a lab and order blood work and there are many drugs out there that must be monitored. Slon's argument is that it should be up to the individual as to what he takes. I think it's a ridiculous idea, especially when you consider the fact that many side effects are hidden until it's too late. Something as simple as the antibiotic Keflex almost killed my mother by thinning her blood. She couldn't have gone to a lab and ordered a PT and PTT on her own...a doctor had to order it. I guess Slon thinks that THAT should be left up to the individual also!

__________________


"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

We don't have to. Fact is, you don't know whether anything purchased OTC right now will be used as intended, either. You don't know that a guy purchasing gasoline won't siphon it out later and use it to make an explosive devise to blow up the local courthouse. You also don't know that someone purchasing a knife won't use it to kill a few people and then kill himself. Should we schedule psychological evaluation for anyone interested in buying these items? Hell no.Emphasis mine. What you're basically saying is that it should be the government's job to play mommy and tell us what to take or what not to take. Forced government diets for everyone! Do you or do you not support an individual's right to suicide?

__________________
If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

Slon, your argument is totally stupid. By making all medications OTC, first of all, you're taking the doctor out of the equation which means a lot of people will die trying to get well. You've got a constant headache? Go buy some Vicodin OTC. Take it every 6 hours and you no longer feel the pain but guess what! You've only treated the symptom of hypertension or worse yet, a brain tumor!
You claim that I'm wanting the government to play mommy. No, but I do believe in some guidelines that protect us and the role of the FDA is very important in that area. Not only do they protect us from ourselves but also from unscrupulous snake oil salesmen. The reason I say they protect us from ourselves is because most people don't have the knowledge it takes to correctly diagnose and treat themselves and though they may not wish to die anytime soon, taking the wrong medication for the wrong diagnosis could kill them.
You've stated that you don't agree with lawsuits but the fact is, making all drugs OTC would make the pharmaceutical companies vulnerable to them. Though I feel that most drugs are overpriced, I'm also intelligent enough to realize that if there's no profit, there's no research. No research means that we're never going to find cures for the many deadly diseases that plague us. Complain all you want, accuse me of wanting to be a nanny, but you should look at the complete picture instead of coming up with your really stupid arguments that no intelligent person would ever agree with.
You keep asking whether I support an individual's right to suicide. What the hell does that have to do with my argument? I'm not assuming that everyone that would try to treat themselves if medications were OTC would be wanting to commit suicide. But to satisfy your curiosity, I've never really given it any thought. Off the top of my head though, I have to wonder why an individual would need that "right". I mean, if you want to kill yourself, there's plenty of ways to do it without suddenly having access to Rx drugs OTC.

__________________


"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

It's a person's own business whether or not they want a temporary solution to a potentially long-term problem. I'm not sure why you feel everyone should be the government's private property.Protecting us from ourselves because the government thinks it knows what is best for us IS playing mommy.That's their business. Once again, people can buy plenty of substances that are lethal when consumed/injected. I'm not sure why you're limiting this to medication, since many of the substances I mentioned don't even have the possibility of curing anything.You're taking one piece of authoritarian legislation and using it to justify more government. Government is the problem in this case, and treating it with even more government is like treating a heroin addiction with more heroin.The point is that if you support an individuals right to kill themselves, you must also support their right to do lesser harm up to the level of suicide (pretty much anything else, like harming themselves with improper medication). If a person wants to risk self-medication, why would you care if you already support the right to suicide? Arguably the worst that will happen is they will kill themselves.

__________________
If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

Never mind, Slon. I'm really not sure why I even bothered to try to talk sense to you. You're as incapable of grasping reality as the three month old that you believe can consent to sex.

__________________


"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

You brought up some great points, and to add to them, without the FDA and Good Manufacturing Practices, we would not be ensured of injesting drugs (and food) where toxic contaminants during manufacture were tightly controlled for non-toxic levels. There are so many reasonable facts for supporting why it is controlled as it is. You also seem to be correct on the futility of bringing these facts out, too.

__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Thanks...I knew an intelligent person would understand!

__________________


"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

If there are known toxins in the foods, and the manufacturers don't let it be known (and it is not common knowledge), then selling food without those warnings would, in a way, be false advertising.

__________________
If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

Instead if posting ad-hominem-only posts, perhaps you could actually address the points I made?

__________________
If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

Actually, there are steroids aimed specifically at women and small children, as well as burn victims. Check out a steroid named Anavar. By the way, steroids are given to people who have very suppresssed immuno systems every day. Check out AIDS patients and a steroid called Deca-Durabolin. They are also eligible for Human Growth Horomone.

Patients with anemias are given doses of testosterone enanthat in excess of 750 mgs a week, since the substance greatly improves the bodies production of blood cells at doses over 500 mg a week.

Odd how these drugs that can Kill at miniscule doses" are given to patients most at risk.

Manic insanity huh? Would you please post proof of your claim? Proof that has only steroids to blame.


As I said, hysteria.

And any dumbass doing this should be tried, and convicted of child abuse.