Michael Phelps caught with cannabis pipe

[atxrocker]

He is still a great swimmer to me but not a great package (athlete + human being).

i take issue with the logic that taking a hit of a bong disqualifies someone from being a great person. i understand that he is a role model and as such should practice caution in his actions while in the public eye, and yeah, the kid made a silly mistake, but people are blowing this waaay out of proportion.

 

[kingsnation]

Michael Phelps is human. The idea that he has to suddenly be a saint is ludicrous. I do not condone what he did AT A PRIVATE PARTY but it was a moment of stupidity and nothing more. Is there anyone here who can honestly say they haven't done something equally as stupid but were just lucky enough not to get caught?

Oh trust me, I have done plenty of stupid things in my life and I know I will probably do more, that's just human nature.

HOWEVER -- Phelps has to realize that once he became a role model/a leader that he lost the right to do things "At a private party" This is a sad fact, but it is true. He is a role model/Leader and he has to carry his self in that manner.

This isn't just "some swimmer." He is a representative of the sport and our country.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

^But in the grand scheme of thing smoking a little pot is like driving 70 on the freeway. Just not that big of a deal, a petty misdemeanor that plenty of people do harmlessly and still manage to be productive members of society.

I'd say his biggest crime in all of this was his management aggressively trying to buy off the story by saying they'd have Phelps become a regular columnist for the tabloid and send lots of advertising dollars their way. Its like Nixon - the real crime is the cover up.

 

[kennadog]

Every great person has mistakes in their life they would rather were never made public. I dare anybody here to say they have never done anything that they wouldn't be proud to have broadcast on TV and in newspapers.

You know what bothers me most. The fact that is that so many people have no concept of privacy anymore. Masses of people carry around their camera phones and just because they can take pictures of tons of people, they think that gives them the right to post them for the world to see.

Think about it, you aren't even safe in your home anymore if you have friends over and someone has a camera or video recorder. Big Brother has arrived big time. Only it isn't just government, its courtesy of your friends, neighbors, enemies and assorted fellow citizens.

 

[Section 101]

^But in the grand scheme of thing smoking a little pot is like driving 70 on the freeway. Just not that big of a deal, a petty misdemeanor that plenty of people do harmlessly and still manage to be productive members of society.

I'd say his biggest crime in all of this was his management aggressively trying to buy off the story by saying they'd have Phelps become a regular columnist for the tabloid and send lots of advertising dollars their way. Its like Nixon - the real crime is the cover up.

It may not be a big deal to you, but to others it is.

So lets say someone comes out and says he was taking performace enhancing drugs (whether true or not). This incident lowers his reputation and would make more people believe it than before.

Oh, and did he drive after the party?

 

[Section 101]

You know what bothers me most. The fact that is that so many people have no concept of privacy anymore. Masses of people carry around their camera phones and just because they can take pictures of tons of people, they think that gives them the right to post them for the world to see.

Think about it, you aren't even safe in your home anymore if you have friends over and someone has a camera or video recorder. Big Brother has arrived big time. Only it isn't just government, its courtesy of your friends, neighbors, enemies and assorted fellow citizens.

You never had the privacy in this case. People have had video camera's at parties for many years too.

If you want privacy kick your friends out of your house or search them before they enter and not allow camera's.

 

[kennadog]

HOWEVER -- Phelps has to realize that once he became a role model/a leader that he lost the right to do things "At a private party" This is a sad fact, but it is true. He is a role model/Leader and he has to carry his self in that manner.

Phelps is obviously having a little trouble with his new found freedom. He's never had it before. He seems like a very decent guy and I expect he'll figure it out.

However, being a role model doesn't mean you give up the right to be a human being. Tremendous achievement is not admirable because of perfection, but because of overcoming as much imperfection as possible. His superhuman dedication, work ethic and drive carried him to supreme acheivement in his sport despite the obstacles of being an imperfect human (ADHD sufferer for one). His self-control and discipline for most of his life is still more than worthy of admiration, emulation and sheer awe.

Our mistakes will only define us, if we don't learn from them and strive to improve. He's exhibited that character countless times over in his swimming career. I'm willing to bet he'll prove it again in his regular life as he matures. He's just been too cloistered in his life to this point.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

It may not be a big deal to you, but to others it is.

So lets say someone comes out and says he was taking performace enhancing drugs (whether true or not). This incident lowers his reputation and would make more people believe it than before.

Oh, and did he drive after the party?

First of all, performance enhancing drugs and marijuana aren't even remotely related. Second marijuana is on par with alcohol (probably less dangerous as far as addiction and OD are concerned), why one is legal and the other isn't I'll never understand. Third, just like alcohol, it wears off and so the only thing that matters is whether or not he drove while impaired, which so far nobody has accused him of doing.

 

[BritishColumbia]

First of all, people should remember that there are not only black and white colors. If someone is disappointed with Michael, it does not mean that he or she wants to crucify him.

I am personally disappointed with him. He is still a great sportsman to me but I am very disappointed with his judgment. When I said that he is no longer a great package to me (athlete+person), I meant exactly that he is no longer A GREAT package to me. I do not say that he is a criminal or terrible person but I revised my opinion about him. I am not gonna argue with people who think that it is not a big thing.

However, there are some points:

- He is a kid - No, he is not. Michael is 23 years old, will be 24 in a few months. He is not a kid or teen anymore.

- MJ should not be illegal in the USA, so it is not a crime - You know, may be it is a fair statement. But right now, it is illegal. America is not a barbarian country with stupid laws, so I guess, there are some reasons for that. And you have to respect it, even if you disagree with it. He knew it but still did it.

- Phelps is human and not a saint person - Yes, he is. But people are different. They have different responsibilities, profits, images, statuses, jobs etc. Phelps is an iconic athlete and ambassador of the sport and country. He accepted that role. It was his decision. You can be a great athlete and still be Rodman or Sir Charles OR you can be a great athlete and be Wayne Gretzky. If he is mature enough to sign $$$ endorsements and get millions, he is mature enough to behave accordingly to the rules.

Again, I do not wanna picture him as a bad, bad person. I am just disappointed in him and this is my personal opinion. May be I am wrong. May be I am too harsh to him. Or me be some of you are very subjective because you like him a lot.
Several years ago he was charged with DUI and he was very sorry. This time he was caught smoking drugs and he is sorry again. And we do not know whether it was his very first time or his second time, or this 10th time. We do not know. 100000 again, yes, he is human but he raised the standards himself, he accepted that role, he wanted to be that guy.
He is no Dennis Rodman and I am almost sure, (fortunately) he will never be. He seems like a nice, likable and responsible guy. He wants to be that influential sportsman, difference maker, example for others and at the same time, he does "not a very right" things. And that is why I am disappointed and it is only my opinion.

 

[Alacron]

The problem with hero worship is that the person you're looking up to will inevitably disappoint you.

I think Phelps is stupid, but anyone looking up to him as a role model in any life aspect other than swimming is stupider.
~~

 

[Packt]

Where was this forgiveness when Noah got arrested for dope.

 

[AleksandarN]

At some point I hope these conversations shift from how stupid celebrity-X is for getting caught to how arcane our marijuana laws are in this country.

I agree just ask Tommy Chong.

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

I don't particularly care what Michael Phelps does in private - illegal or otherwise. If he chooses to engage in certain activities - illegal or otherwise - he reaps the benefit or negative that comes with it.

I also don't accept the argument that because he has had to give up something because of his choice or choice of others for a "career" or whatever should give him some sort of carte blanche. (see paragraph above).

If he wasn't as famous as he is, we wouldn't know about the two discretions we have heard about unless probably we checked facebook or myspace or wherever kids figure pictures such as these are appropriate to share for whatever stupid reason. I can pretty much feel safe in saying, if his name was anything other than Michael Phelps and a picture like that came to the attention of his boss, he would have more to lose relatively speaking than the loss of a Kelloggs sponsorship.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

However, there are some points:

- He is a kid - No, he is not. Michael is 23 years old, will be 24 in a few months. He is not a kid or teen anymore.

- MJ should not be illegal in the USA, so it is not a crime - You know, may be it is a fair statement. But right now, it is illegal. America is not a barbarian country with stupid laws, so I guess, there are some reasons for that. And you have to respect it, even if you disagree with it. He knew it but still did it.

I strongly agree with your first point, I don't think any excuses should be made with him being a kid.

And on the second point, I think you misunderstand what I've been saying. Of course its a crime and he deserves the repercussions. What I'm saying is this particular crime isn't a reflection of his morality/character and so nobody needs to judge him as a person for it.

 

[kennadog]

When I said a "kid" it should have been more that this is a young man who's been very sheltered and protected. Part of that is just do to his schedule for swimming. He had no time to go out and experience the things that other kids do, inlcuding making dumb mistakes. He's likely way more mature in some ways than people his age, yet more immature in other ways. 23 is only a chronological age.

I'm not saying there should be no repercussions. All actions lead to some kind of consequences, positive or negative. A lot of people get away with things all the time. They might be better served by being caught.

As to choosing to be a role model. Only partly true. Fame and high achievment often thrust people into the "hero" or "role model" position, whether they want it or not.

I think Phelps wanted to be primarily a role model for how to succeed in sports, particularly swimming, not necessarily a paragon of character in all things. That would be presumptous and arrogant, at best, anyway. That role is usually assigned by the public, who are then disappointed when the person is not (guaranteed).

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

I agree with the notion about the role model mantle being foisted on him, but at the same time, he stops being merely a model of swimming when he starts parlaying that in the form of marketing endorsements. That becomes a choice and one that does come with expectations and consequences when you don't meet them.

Perhaps the endorsements are more a testament to the what the media/public brings in terms of unrealistic expectations, but at the same time he's no different than John Phelps who is 23 years old tokes in a dorm room (complete with pictures he is or is not aware were taken) and finds himself out of a job because his HR department is sweeping social networking sites.

 

[Warhawk]

Not enough evidence to charge Phelps, sheriff says

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/16/michael.phelps/index.html

(CNN) -- Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps will not face criminal charges in connection with a November party at which he was photographed using a bong, a South Carolina sheriff said Monday.

Michael Phelps admitted "regrettable behavior" after a photo of him using a bong was published.

"We do not believe we have enough evidence to prosecute anyone" who was at the party in Columbia, South Carolina, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told reporters, adding that authorities are ending their investigation into Phelps.
"We had a photo, and we had him saying he was sorry for his inappropriate behavior," Lott said. "That behavior could have been going to a party. ... He never said, 'I smoked marijuana.' He never confessed to that. We didn't have physical evidence. We didn't have enough where we could go arrest him."
Phelps, 23, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, admitted "regrettable behavior" after a British newspaper published the photograph about two weeks ago. The tabloid News of the World showed Phelps using the bong during what it said was a November party at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
A bong is a device commonly used to smoke marijuana. University police and Columbia police both said they would not pursue charges against Phelps.
Lott said the photo that surfaced of Phelps put him and his department in a "no-win situation." If he had ignored it, he said, he would have faced criticism, but he also was criticized for investigating.
However, he said, the photo did initiate an investigation into goings-on at the home where the party took place, and some people were arrested on suspicion of drug possession. The home has been the focus of previous drug-related investigations, he said.
He defended his investigation, saying, "As a cop, my responsibility is to enforce the law, not to create it or ignore it. Marijuana in the state of South Carolina is illegal."
Lott said he has not spoken to Phelps, but hopes the swimming champion has learned from his mistakes and is willing to share an anti-drug message with children.