Senate Judiciary Chairman: Don't Prosecute Michael Phelps

[kpete]

Source: Huffington Post

Michael Phelps might feel like the entire world is coming after him for taking the bong hit seen around world. His sponsor Kellogg Co. is dropping him, the local sheriff is threatening to prosecute him, and USA Swimming has suspended him for three months.

But at least one cooler head on Capitol Hill isn't going to join the mob. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is a former prosecutor and said that if a sheriff had brought a case like Phelps' to his office, he would have used his discretion and not prosecuted it.

"When I was a prosecutor, I was far more interested in going after armed robbers, murderers and rapists rather than trying to go after some kid for smoking marijuana," said Leahy.


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/06/senate-judiciary-chairman_n_164742.html

[stillcool]

1. this is what is wrong with the judicial system..

they all need to take a hit off the bong, and get their heads straight.

[alsame]

2. Sen. Leahy has the right priorities. eom

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Let's hope that this would apply to "inner city" kids too.

[bluestateguy]

4. 12 nullifying jurors could also do the trick

Just acquit. Don't listen to testimony. Just ignore the evidence and acquit him in 5 minutes.

[Burma Jones]

5. The Good Senator used to enjoy Dead Shows.......

he's really a fine guy, someone to emulate.

[azureblue]

6. a dash of reality

IS there any smoke in the bong? No. No smoke means nothing to inhale, becasue nothing is burning in the bowl. He could be just holding it to his face as a joke.

Even if there was something burning in the bowl, can you prove he inhaled? No. First, they'd have to prove that there was indeed smoke from a burning substance, not condensed vapor or some other gas that looks like smoke. Second, he could be preparing to blow INTO the bong. You can't tell by the picture if he is inhaling, exhaling, or not breathing at all. Note there is no lighter or match visible, to prove that there was something afire int he bowl.

Can you prove that there was pot or illegal substance in the bong? No. there could be something in the water such as menthol or eucalyptus oil to help clear his lungs.

What CAN they charge him with? One thing- holding a bong. They can't even prove that the bong was his- it could be someone else's. All the rest are assumptions and conjecture. The photo proves only this one fact- Phelps is holding a bong.

Case closed

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

7. enough already, I am with Leahy.

There has been more publicity, more media articles and discussion about this then there ever was about Druggie Rush, and Rush did some serious hardcore drugs.

[cilla4progress]

8. Thank god!

I've been waiting for someone to come to the "defense" of Phelps. Finally - Sen. Leahy espouses some commonsense about this situation! I just email Leahy thanking and lauding him for this!

[izquierdista]

9. On the other hand

I hear White Castle needs someone to fill in for Harold and Kumar while they are in Guantanamo. :rofl:

[Romulox]

10. Here's a thought: call off the whole damn War on (people who use) Drugs. nt