Commentary on Phelps and Pot...

Forgive me if there is already another thread on this subject. I only did a quick scan of the forums, didn't see one and now I've started my own...

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Michael Phelps is a champion. And apparently he smokes or has smoked pot. We know this now because a tabloid magazine has printed a picture of him with a bong in his mouth and the mainstream media has aired the story.

Phelps issued an obligatory formal apology. He didn't really have a choice. His people (e.g. publicist, PR person, etc.) most likely orchestrated the whole thing.

I, for one, wish he wouldn't have apologized or characterized his actions as a mistake or error in judgement. Nope. I wish he would have issued a statement expressing regret that someone with ill intentions sold a photograph of him to a tabloid.

If Phelps did a Punky Brewster (I'm dating myself) and was a spokesperson for the "Just Say No" campaign then the apology would be necessary and there would be shame here. But he is just a college aged guy who happened to achieve greatness because of what he can do in a swimming pool. The fact that, during his free time (while not operating heavy farm equipment), he inhaled the smoke from a plant, for the purpose of chilling out, does not take away from his greatness and is quite frankly- irrelevant.

I believe that if Phelps had been a bit more defiant that this would have led to healthy dialogue on this subject. The fact that some prosecutor is considering bringing criminal charges against Phelps serves as proof in my mind that dialogue and reeducation are needed and that existing laws should be reexamined and changed.

G