So, my friend on facebook posted this note, and I agree with him wholeheartedly.

"So if you haven't been living in a bubble (not that there's anything wrong with living in a bubble, I mean the atmosphere's pretty sweet) you've heard about multiple-olympic-gold-medalist Michael Phelps (if you haven't heard of Michael Phelps, disregard this missive) getting the heat put on him because a british tabloid rag somehow acquired a photograph of him 'smoking the reefer' at a november event in South Carolina.

Phelps is being super-apologetic, saying he acted in a manner that was 'regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment'.

And I would to call bullshit, and furthermore, cowardice.

Look at the picture if you like- just google 'Phelps bong' and you should be able to track it down without too much trouble. But I can tell you that's he's hitting that bong like a pro, like he's done it before and knows what he's doing. It doesn't look to me like some sort of isolated mistake, but like the man's a fucking stoner.

And yet here he is falling all over himself publicly to apologise, make it seem like a nothing, when what he should be doing is growing some balls, standing up in front of the media and world saying 'Yes. Yes I was smoking weed, something I like to do, something I don't think is wrong and should be legal'.

Phelps has won fourteen gold medals in the most competitive arena there is. He is a shining example and a good bloody citizen, an example of the maxim that with hard work anything could be achieved. And he could be a great asset to the cause for legalisation. Instead, he's joining the ranks of celebrities that play off their drug use and dodge the responsibility incurred by being in the public eye to do some damn good with their flash-in-the-pan fame. His apologies and half-ass contrition certainly ain't convincing anybody, and yet it seems we're all too willing to forgive and forget.

The pro-pot forum desperately needs somebody clean-cut and respected to advocate. I mean, who've we got? Willie Nelson? When is somebody gonna step up? Apparently Phelps, for all his courage and determination in the pool, lacks the will to face down the worst enemy of all- his sponsors."

Now, obviously, if you don't do weed, think its immoral, or think it should stay illegal, then you will obviously have a different viewpoint on this.
But what do you think? Stoners and non-stoners alike?



Buttt....there is the issue of his career. Would it be completely damaged if he admitted to smoking pot (even occasionally) and would he loose all his endorsements? Probably. Because American companies like the people that they sponser to be as clean cut as a member of the Cleavers...but thats another issue for another debate.

For the sake of being honest and true to himself, I don't think he should apologize, but if I was in his situation, would I forsake what I believed in for the purpose of being popular, famous and rich?

the simple answer is i don't think phelps has bleeding heart passion for advocating the legalization of pot, he probably just likes to get stoned and doesn't want to forfeit his career to champion one of his recreational activities. I don't think you'll ever find a clean cut American 'hero' who will stand up and say "fuck what I'm doing for a living, marijuana is what it's all about." Just not going to happen.

I don't care for pot myself, tends to make me sick so I don't really smoke it ever these days. I am often amused by the fact that you can take the biggest waste-of-space, couldn't-care-less, societal dropout pothead and get them talking about legalization and suddenly they are an inflamed philosopher/political scientist creating the grand declaration of the next Great Noble Purpose. There are so many better things than getting stoned.

Maybe it's just the old man in me.

I'm definitely kinda mad about the way he's responding. And I think that the idea that if he spoke up and advocated the responsible use of the drug, would be a good thing.



But I agree with Trevor as far as we can't really expect much more of him.

I agree with trevor. I'd say phelps was fucking stupid if he gave up, not just his thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of contracts, but his career and his achievements and his entire "claim to fame" when he could just tuck his tail between his legs and say he's sorry. some things are worth a bit of your shame, bullshit though that shame may be.

I also think he should stop smoking. not because I care, I think marijuana should be legalized, but because he is risking everything. if you were guaranteed a free ride the rest of your life doing something that you were passionate about, for the price of your weed, I would hope that everybody would give up the bong.

I, who anyone who knows me well and is around me often will tell you CAN'T STAND the guy, think it is hilarious that he "got caught" doing something "bad" and is suffering from it. I seriously just can't stand him.

Sorry to add nothing to the debate. I just think it's freaking hysterical.

on a lesser and less thoughtful not, micheal phelps is pretty much the ugliest man alive.

He could totally eat more than all of the people on this board combined.. and then probably own us all at pooping.

Also, this picture is weird.

he's only wearing those goggles to hide his glassy, bloodshot eyes.

No, it's to prevent his laser vision from evaporating the water in the pool and from turning everyone into stone.

^hehehe.

so apparently he's lost some sponsors? I feel bad for him. imagine how much he's flippin' out, poor guy.

He lost Kellogg's. No more reason to eat cereal.

^hahaha.