Life as I Know It; Family; Lifestyle; and Healthy Living!

I heard the news about Michael Phelps being caught with a bong, saw the picture, didn't think about it too much but knew that for him, his life as he knows it will be over, for some time any way.

He has gotten caught in that spiral that will spin out of control just like it has for other star athletes who have gotten caught having too much fun., or in other words, getting high.  While I'm not a fan of getting high, I can understand why people do it.  Heck, I've drank a few and felt tipsy, , yes tipsy, never drunk.  [I've been full blown drunk only once in my life, I was 18, never again, and at 43+, still haven't been)!   The spiral that young Master Phelps has gotten himself into is one that happens from time to time to those out there who have shown their prowess and are placed on a pedestal by others who can only dream to do what he has done.  

So while the world flipped out on the fact that Phelps was caught with his pants down, literally, puffing away (or inhaling away) at one of those things, that thing that the news people seemed to have confused and couldn't name correctly.  I then heard that the Sheriff in North Carolina (or was that South Carolina?) was considering charging him with something, I thought that was preposterous because not only didn't he have any breathalyzer test, or see him do it, just the picture.   First off I couldn't believe that they were thinking of  charging him because it was a photograph, that could have been doctored. I thought to myself, the guy is young, how old is he, 18?  He was just having fun and blowing off steam! 

Then I considered that this guy has grown into the role model for hundreds of little swimmers-to-be out there, heck, he should have known better than to do that outside of his home!  When you're an athlete and you're really good at being an athlete, you're going to be placed on a very high pedestal, you're going to be looked up to by not just those little ones under three feet, but those grown ups over five feet as well!  You're going to have all the accolades coming to you.  You will have endorsement offers, money thrown at you from all angles, everyone will want a piece of you!  And now, in the midst of all this, he chose to 'let his hair down', he did what many young people before him as done before, at least the ones who got into doing stuff like that!

This evening I read that he's been suspended, to teach him a lesson, or send him a strong message according to the USA Swimming Federation.  He will also not be able to swim in an upcoming competition.  Now, he's lost the financial support of one of his sponsors, Kellogg's.

Considering that he's someone who has such a strict physical schedule, and who needs his wits and strength to do what he does, I'm surprise that he would even consider putting any type of drugs in his body.  Smoking Marijuana might be fun for some people, and make you feel good in the moment, however, over time, use of it can cause serious damage.  So yes, I was surprise, and disappointed that he has fallen like so many before him.

Despite my disappointment, it is the first time he's been caught in an uncompromising position, wouldn't a strong reprimand or suspension without causing him to lose his sponsors be a better thing?  Then again, I guess this is the only way to teach him a lesson.  You can't be a role model and then mess up so badly, and not pay for that, right? 


Comments (Page 1)
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on Feb 06, 2009

I don't see the problem.  Are millions of little political wannabes going to start smoking because Obama does?

 

Let's just say they do.  Is it Obama's fault?

 

People need to stop palming off their personal choices and responsibilities on something so ridiculous as "well, I saw a famous person do it."  They might as well say "I'm an idiot that can't think for myself and I'm totally at the mercy of whatever media personalities and the media tells me to think."

 

What bothers me most about all this is the hypocrisy.  The only lesson this will teach Phelps is not to get caught.  It isn't going to stop him smoking pot, and you know what?  If the guy can win a competition high as a kite, who cares?  It doesn't change the OBJECTIVE fact that the guy is a better swimmer than most.

 

Maybe he can get a sponsorship with Budweiser or Marlboro to replace Kellog's.  Everybody would be just fine with that, I'm sure.  Hypocrites.

 

Next time you see marijuana demonized, you might want to ask yourself the question "What was that guy who was being totally obnoxious at the *fill in public event here*?  Drunk or high?"

 

If you answered "drunk," you are correct.  The only reason pot isn't legal is because the gov't can't figure out a way to make money from it.  Other than that it isn't any worse than having too much salt in your diet.

on Feb 06, 2009

Are millions of little political wannabes going to start smoking because Obama does?

Maybe he can get a sponsorship with Budweiser or Marlboro

 

can companies really sponsor a president?

or am i a viper?

 

seriously, da razor sliced this one perfectly.  bravo!

on Feb 06, 2009

Please know that the suspension handed down by USA swimming is nothing mroe then a slap on the wrist. Phelps was suspended from swimming in USA Swimming events for the next three months. Guess what, he was probably not going to swim any even if he was not suspended. This was his year off intensive training. So basically he was suspended from doing nothing, which was what he was going to do. Makes great PR, but has NO effect on his career or swimming abilites.

on Feb 06, 2009

 

OckhamsRazor
I don't see the problem.  Are millions of little political wannabes going to start smoking because Obama does? Let's just say they do.  Is it Obama's fault? People need to stop palming off their personal choices and responsibilities on something so ridiculous as "well, I saw a famous person do it."  They might as well say "I'm an idiot that can't think for myself and I'm totally at the mercy of whatever media personalities and the media tells me to think." What bothers me most about all this is the hypocrisy.  The only lesson this will teach Phelps is not to get caught.  It isn't going to stop him smoking pot, and you know what?  If the guy can win a competition high as a kite, who cares?  It doesn't change the OBJECTIVE fact that the guy is a better swimmer than most. Maybe he can get a sponsorship with Budweiser or Marlboro to replace Kellog's.  Everybody would be just fine with that, I'm sure.  Hypocrites. Next time you see marijuana demonized, you might want to ask yourself the question "What was that guy who was being totally obnoxious at the *fill in public event here*?  Drunk or high?" If you answered "drunk," you are correct.  The only reason pot isn't legal is because the gov't can't figure out a way to make money from it.  Other than that it isn't any worse than having too much salt in your diet.

First, you are absolutely right, individuals are responsible for their own actions and Phelps should not be blamed if they start smoking pot.  But the fact is, people do get caught up in the drama and admiration of someone and will follow them and do whatever they want (think Obama ),  why do you think so many celeb mags and entertainer shows exists and the hordes of photographers follow around the rich and famous.  For the most part, people are sheep.

What Phelps did was wrong plan and simple.  It was wrong because he broke a law.  You may not agree with the law but regardless he broke it.

If a organization decides to set behaviour standards, or call them moral standards, for them members the that is their right.  I would imagine that he agreed to follow those standards when he decided to join.  Breaking laws usually fall into this area.  But sometimes even behaviour does, go out get drunk and run naked through the streets then they may decide you need some time away from the organization.  It is a free country and that goes for the organization as well.  It is not like we are talking race, religeon, politics, sex, etc here.  A side not to all of this is when people are shocked that some companies will discipline their employees for similar events.

Going back the responsibility thing.  Phelps has his own free will.  He chose to be a idiot so I have no sympathy for him.  Where was his responsibility?

 

 

on Feb 06, 2009

yes, I am aware of some error in my writing.  I am running IE8 RC1 to test within my company and I cannot do the edit function on JoeUser

 

on Feb 06, 2009

People need to stop palming off their personal choices and responsibilities on something so ridiculous as "well, I saw a famous person do it." They might as well say "I'm an idiot that can't think for myself and I'm totally at the mercy of whatever media personalities and the media tells me to think."

Agreed!  It's like people have no mind for free will of their owns.  Some people don't but most of us do!

And some people can do some things even while high, at least nothing that requires them to use their brain!

 

Maybe he can get a sponsorship with Budweiser or Marlboro

can companies really sponsor a president?

Interesting thought! That would probably cause a riot of negativity for the non-believers!lol!

 

Makes great PR, but has NO effect on his career or swimming abilites.

I don't think for great PR, embarrassment is more like it, but it will soon be forgotten!

 

If a organization decides to set behaviour standards, or call them moral standards, for them members the that is their right.

Of course it is their right to do so since they make their own policies.

 

yes, I am aware of some error in my writing

Don't worry about it!

on Feb 06, 2009

The only reason pot isn't legal is because the gov't can't figure out a way to make money from it.

The issue here isn't whether or not pot should be legal...it isn't.  He did something illegal.  I bet if he got caught stealing, assaulting someone or some other crime he'd get suspended.

He's a kid.  He did something stupid.  He got "punished".  That's the way it should work.  I don't blame sponsors for dropping him either.  He's getting a butt load of money to just not be a screw up.  He already did the hard part at the Olympics.  Can't he just live it up without breaking laws?

on Feb 06, 2009

This particular law is unconstitutional BECAUSE it is hypocritical.  That's my problem with it.

on Feb 07, 2009

He's a kid. He did something stupid. He got "punished". That's the way it should work.

Yes, yes, and yes. But it would have been nice had the sponsors been more responsible with their response instead of having a knee jerk response. He did something stupid, come out and express disappointment and maybe suspend him too, or something, but pulling the plug from under him like they did, that sucks.

 

This particular law is unconstitutional BECAUSE it is hypocritical.

I really don't see our government ever making this legal, their thinking is if they do, it would have to be the same for all narcotics.  Then again, Marijuana is a narcotic isn't it because it does impair your judgement, etc.? Plus, the outcry from the Church would be deafening! 

on Feb 07, 2009

I bet if he got caught stealing, assaulting someone or some other crime he'd get suspended.

 

I don't remember him getting suspended when he was caught drunk driving - which, as far as I'm concerned, is a MUCH bigger deal.

on Feb 07, 2009

I really don't see our government ever making this legal, their thinking is if they do, it would have to be the same for all narcotics. Then again, Marijuana is a narcotic

 

all drugs were legal in the us until about 90 some years ago.  our first laws regulating drugs had less to do with the substances themselves than collecting taxes on those which were imported (driven in no small part by anti-chinese bias).  until sometime in the late 60s or early 70s, federal law required a person possessing marijuana to have purchased a stamp as evidence that taxes had been paid (same thing with gambling earnings) with one lil catch-22: the govt wasn't issuing stamps for either reason.

the main obstacle to decriminalization is a web of international treaties requiring signatories enact anti-drug laws in their respective countries.  guess which country pretty much twisted arms and pressured the rest of the world to sign on to those?

california and other states have enacted laws easing restrictions on marijuana use (for medical purposes).  with autorization from an md, you--or anyone else-would be permitted to enter and purchase your choice of a selection of different varieties of marijuana grown expressly for that purpose.  there's one three blocks from my pad--placed conveniently between a bakery and one of the better balkan delis around. 

marijuana isn't a narcotic in any accurate sense of that term.  it's psychotropic but then so are a lotta legal substances such as chocolate.  it should be classified as a psychadelic.

on Feb 07, 2009

I don't remember him getting suspended when he was caught drunk driving - which, as far as I'm concerned, is a MUCH bigger deal.

He was?  I don't recall if I heard this news!

 

marijuana isn't a narcotic in any accurate sense of that term. it's psychotropic but then so are a lotta legal substances such as chocolate. it should be classified as a psychadelic.

You know, I will agree with you that it is not a narcotic, i've lived in the US too long!  As a child, marijuana was largely used in my country, and still is for medicinal purposes (and other), so I do agree with that!  It's just gotten so many grey areas because of the impositions being placed on it, and also, let's face it, it does give you that 'high' so younger people being under the influence is not something that adults want.  I've had it, medicinally, my mom used to boil it and make a tea and gave it to us, truthfully, I don't remember any side effects.  It was a kind of cleansing thing and mom's know best!   I remember trying a spliff at the age of 18, so yea, some young people will experiment, it just wasn't something I liked so I never touched the stuff again!

on Feb 07, 2009

I think the mistake a celebrity makes when they get caught in some very human transgression is the crying and apologizing for it. That just makes them look weak and pathetic and wussy (even if they really are). In the publics eye you're already screwed so ya might as well man up and not go on and kiss ass about it.

on Feb 07, 2009

I don't remember him getting suspended when he was caught drunk driving - which, as far as I'm concerned, is a MUCH bigger deal.

I was unaware.  Maybe he got suspended now because it wasn't his first incident of breaking the law.

on Feb 07, 2009

Here's a story on the DUI http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/08/national/main654380.shtml

It was back a couple of years, but I don't remember a suspension.  I could be wrong, though.

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