Commentary on Phelps and Pot...

[Danny Burns]

I think the interesting part is that no one is jumping on the keep it illegal platform. No impassioned stories of a child being lured into the "pot culture" and then going crazy in a pot induced mania.

What ever happened to Barney Franks bill he was trying to pass?

Barney Frank To File Bill Legalizing Marijuana | Crooks and Liars

(I mentioned Barney Frank, the conservatives will come running .)

SWGB, let them squawk. Barney's right on this one. No pun intended.

You will also notice that no one has had the cajones to even thank me for post #12 as yet...interesting, isn't it?

 

[scooterbug44]

I didn't thank you for post #12 because I don't agree with it.

Marijuana maybe, all drugs - no!

 

[Teresa]

There is another thread.

Regardless of your personal feelings about pot smoking and it's legality, Phelps is a role model who did something illegal.

I care less about the fact that a role model did it then the fact that a great athlete is so careless with their body (he has also had past alcohol problems). Swimming is a sport with very low tolerances for error - thousandths of a second are the difference in a gold and silver medal and he's hitting a bong!

you have a point, but really its his choice. good or bad. it belongs only to him.

Most of the swimmers I know (and I've known some of the best) are hard partiers. I don't begrudge a swimmer wishing to partake. Problem for Phelps is he's a public figure who is an icon to many children. Answering a kid's (under 10) questions about Phelps, bongs and weed is really awkward and uncool. He needs to show a little more restraint in his private life so that his dirty laundry doesn't explode on the public scene.

you are right that he should show more restraint. but then again, I say its his choice entirely. if he loses sponsors or whatever, those are the consequences, just like any young person has to face if they make certain choices and get caught. I would say he needs to be more choosey about friends and surroundings. and do whatever the hail he wants to do.

Geo - I think lots of healthy discussion is going on because of Phelps (this thread is an example), even if he did apologize. he was just doing what he had to do by publicly apologozing - its kind of good common courtesy. Surely he meant, "I'm sorry for getting caught on camera". actually, I'm sure he is highly embarrassed and feeling like an dumbarse right about now for the whole thing. If and when he tokes again, he'll be sure to be in a very private setting. Geo - you make total sense. I especially agree with your statement that I just wish i did not have to know - what a shame! it is just not anyone's business.

lots more people smoke pot, from my old aunt to someone's grandma I won't mention, leaders around the world, losers, champions, sick people in pain, and every kind of person in between, including athletes. someday it will have to be legalized. my only concern now and in the future is educating children about its harmful effects and keeping it out of their hands, as much as alcohol, pills and any drug.

 

[Matt J]

SWGB, let them squawk. Barney's right on this one. No pun intended.

You will also notice that no one has had the cajones to even thank me for post #12 as yet...interesting, isn't it?

I'm out of rep for the day, I'll get you for it though.

I didn't thank you for post #12 because I don't agree with it.

Marijuana maybe, all drugs - no!

Why is that? Legalize heroin and you've just destroyed the economy of the Taliban.

 

[Teresa]

I'm out of rep for the day, I'll get you for it though.



Why is that? Legalize heroin and you've just destroyed the economy of the Taliban.

I got him covered. I am not sure about legalizing all drugs. But, I'm ingrigued.

 

[Matt J]

I got him covered. I am not sure about legalizing all drugs. But, I'm ingrigued.

I'm for it, but feel that it should be taxed into oblivion to cover treatment. The more treatment a drug requires the more it should be taxed. If that means close to street prices for drugs so be it. As a friend of mine pointed out to another, one time. They are called recreational drugs for a reason. Once you've taken care of all your obligations and you have left over money then you can do them. That same friend tried Heroin once. His friends video taped him doing it and after watching the video he has never had any desire to do it again. I'm not saying that addiction isn't a true problem for some, but it's not a guarantee for everyone.

 

[Danny Burns]

I didn't thank you for post #12 because I don't agree with it.

Marijuana maybe, all drugs - no!

Let me attempt to clarify. By legalizing all drugs, they and the users can more easily be monitored and help can be rendered when necessary and needed. It would take the production, distribution, and sale out of the hands of drug lords and thugs and possibly put into the hands of more caring and professional people. And we would no longer need to import any of these substances from our enemies.

If we simply exposed all drugs for what they really are, I think the illicitness of their appeal lessens (let's admit it, most of us try things like this because we are told not to do so) and we all benefit from the true educational aspects of the exposure. When we keep such things in the shadows as we have for 70+ years, very few of us, especially our children, even know what the actual truth of most drugs is and these false perceptions make experimentation more appealing to some of them.

Whether you agree with me on the legalization part or not, truth in education about illegal substances is desparately needed in this country. I just think complete or partial legalization is a step in the direction of de-mystifying these substances, ending this stupid "war on drugs" that has never and can never work, saving billions of our tax dollars, and putting America on the road to actually helping the sick, addicted people of our nation. Why are we still attacking the victims of this alleged war?

 

[Matt J]

Very good point. I remember in school being told during anti-drug classes that animals wouldn't eat pot. Fast forward to adult life and learn that Deer meat is especially tender due to their propensity to eat wild marijuana.

Just realized it. That also explains the glazed look when they stand in the road before they get hit.

Deer: Dude, check out that cool light.

 

[LuciferSam]

There is another thread.

Regardless of your personal feelings about pot smoking and it's legality, Phelps is a role model who did something illegal.

I care less about the fact that a role model did it then the fact that a great athlete is so careless with their body (he has also had past alcohol problems). Swimming is a sport with very low tolerances for error - thousandths of a second are the difference in a gold and silver medal and he's hitting a bong!

As far as I'm concerned the man has done everything he needs to athletically and is under no obligation to his fans to pursue further excellence in the sport of swimming. That is his business.

 

[Miss Kitty]

Most of the swimmers I know (and I've known some of the best) are hard partiers. I don't begrudge a swimmer wishing to partake. Problem for Phelps is he's a public figure who is an icon to many children. Answering a kid's (under 10) questions about Phelps, bongs and weed is really awkward and uncool. He needs to show a little more restraint in his private life so that his dirty laundry doesn't explode on the public scene.

Try doing that when the POTUS is getting BJs.

I had never heard it either until it appeared in a thread in the lounge.

Cheeba sounds like the name of a Chihuahua that won the Westminster.

...as one could see from the OTHER thread about this topic...all I could think of was cheetos.

Interesting discussions here about drugs. I will go back and read Barney Fife's take.