A couple of sporting thoughts.

1. How is it that we've heard more about Randall Simon's attack on faux-ground "meat" in casing over the last couple of days than Kobe Bryant's alleged sexual assault, the much more serious issue?

I assume it has something to do with there being an ongoing investigation in Bryant's case and the rather expeditious handling of the Great Sausage Caper. I do think that Bryant should send Simon a watch or something for taking the heat off of him for a while.

2. Lance Armstrong has taken all sorts of crap over the last few years from French cycling fans, who suspect he's used some sort of banned substance to reach his level of performance on their biggest stage. They seem to have a much more relaxed attitute towards Richard Virenque, who won today's stage of the race.

In 1998, Virenque admitted to doping during a scandal that rocked that year's Tour. His team, Festina, was booted from the race, and he eventually served a seven month racing ban in 2001. In between, he gave testimony about drug use on his team and cycling in general.

I know, the French are embracing one of their own, and have an attitude towards Armstrong not unusual in Franco-American relations. But it's still annoying.

I have to imagine part of the problem too is that the French haven't had one of their own win the Tour since 1985. Heck, and Irishman and a Dane have won the Tour more recently.