First a DUI… now pot… Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps is he totally screwed…?
Unless you live under a rock you've heard about or seen the picture of Phelps smoking pot out of a bong pipe at college party (not one of his favorite photographs-I am sure). Well, now he's been suspended for three months by the USA swimming team, dropped from his sponsorship contract with cereal giant Kellogg, and could face possible criminal charges by law enforcement officials in the Richland County, South Carolina (where the pictures were taken and the pot smoking happened).
HMM, now correct me if I am wrong - but wasn't this party on a college campus? So does that mean the Richland County Sheriff Department will be pressing charges against some of the other students who were in attendance?
It's not the fact the he was caught smoking pot, it's the consequences of those actions will be much different for the average person. Phelps may have lots one out of several sponsorship. The average Joe could have lost his job.This whole Phelps drama has just highlighted how vast the moral disconnect is in our society
There's no denying it - Phelps actions were wrong. In this country its illegal to smoke marijuana - end of story. But time and time again we have seen our sports celebrities make human errors that cost them --- but don't alter their lifestyles. We hound them in the press, but as soon as they make the winning shot, score the final touch down, or bring home a champion title - their wrong actions has been made right.
Phelps was arrested in 2004 at the age of 19 for driving under the influence, but we quickly forgot about that after he brought 8 gold medals home from China. The recent news of him admitting to hitting the pipe, has now garnered so much publicity that I just find it all to be very ridiculous.
Now, I am no pot head, but come on… how many people in that room took a hit from that very pipe. What's the big deal? Oh, yeah, that's right he's a role model -- that's the Hollywood version of a "get out of jail free card."
In addition to shinning the light on his truly stupid actions, I think we should take note that the ramifications that celebrities face are far less consequentional than they are for the average person. Just because you can buy pot and smoke it... and lets say post the pictures to your Facebook page, it doesn't mean you are going to get away with it like he has. He hasn't lost much more than a couple of million dollars from a sponsor... can you spare a couple million dollars ? (cause if you can, call me) Some of the shine may have diminished from his gold medals. But its his legendary performance as a swimmer will out live this latest scandal.
So when your sitting in the back of a squad car or waiting to make your one phone call -- will your legendary performance at your job be enough to leave you unscathed?
Afua S. Owusu
(Uh-fee-yah) (Oh-woo-sue)
CLTV News Producer
Comments (2)
Michael Phelps is the man for smoking pot, with all the publicity he receives, and the tremendous pressure he's put through it's no wonder he's been taking part in the peace pipe passing, I ceratinly would, and still do.
Posted by John Knowle | March 26, 2009 12:32 PM
Posted on March 26, 2009 12:32
The British "Scandal Core" began what is turning out to be a "crucifixtion" of a true American hero. If you watch an old work-out video of a certain former Mr Universe you'll see him light up a joint as a way to relax after exercise. This joint smoking bodybuilder is now also the Governor of California.
Posted by Cho fan | February 6, 2009 4:42 PM
Posted on February 6, 2009 16:42