When apple carts lose wheels .......

[Stinky The Clown]

Now some South Carolina county sheriff has decided that Phelps' crime is so heinous that he will be expending effort and resources investigating the 'crime' and is prepared to change him.

This has every potential to not end well. It is rapidly spiraling out of Phelps' peoples' ability to control things.

"Worlds Most Successful Olympian Jailed On Drug Charges." <---imaginary headline

We are crappy at nailing REAL criminals, but we are excellent at getting the dangerous ones .... like Martha Stewart ..... and now, maybe, Micheal Phelps. If he did it (who doubts that?) and if this sheriff goes all the way, the 30 day max jail time is a real possibility. Just to ... uh ... send a message to ...... uh ..... somebody.

edit/typo

[tavalon]

1. I love your typo

Who would be getting that massage?

[bigtree]

2. presumably they'd need witnesses to testify that the substance in the bong was illegal

I'm not sure if Phelps' 'admission' was specific enough on it's own. The picture certainly isn't proof of a crime by itself.

What a petty nation , to drag this out.

[global1]

3. OTOH - Michael Is A Role Model To Milliions Of Kids Around The World.....

this was really an error in judgment by him and a stupid thing for him to do. Perhaps some penalty is warranted to show those millions of kids that life's decisions sometimes have consequences. To let Phelps off the hook doesn't send the right message. If Phelps suffers some penalty and then is contrite afterwords it might do some good.

I think he let down his fans and didn't live up to the standards of an Olympian. Very Sad!!!!!!

[Schema Thing]

4. The only thing wrong with marijuana is the hypocrisy of those who condemn it.

[tridim]

6. Are you insane? It's just an herb.

It's also one of the most non-toxic substances on Earth. Like the majority of 23 year olds in the world, he smoked some and someone snapped a picture. BFD.

Do you suggest we arrest every one of the millions of people who use Cannabis to "send the right message"? :eyes:

Honestly, it makes me sad that people still think like this.
Or did you forget your sarcasm tag?

[global1]

9. No - I Didn't Forget The Sarcasm Tag.......

did you forget that mj is still illegal. When it becomes legal - I would go along with you - but as long as it's illegal - Phelps is setting the wrong example for millions of kids that look up to him. Sorry - that's my opinion just as your opinion that it is just a herb.

[bigtree]

10. speeding is illegal and it kills

think of the children!

[tridim]

12. So lock em all up huh?

Would you feel safer if Phelps went to prison?

[Lerkfish]

8. role model-ry is wrong on its face anyways.

its is wrong for children anywhere to adopt role models from sports figures or rock stars.
Considering the aggregate behavior of both those groups, its destined to be "disappointing" 100% of the time.
Maybe if we STOP leting kids idolize other human beings as being above human, their disappointment will disappear.

[global1]

11. We're Talking An Olympian Here That Won 8 Gold Medals And His......

picture was splattered all over the news, cereal boxes and other products. News outlets and talk shows were clamoring for the chance to get this guy on. He's been picked up by countless companies to do endorsements.

He with the help of a good PR firm - made himself a role model. With that comes some responsibility.

As long as he continues to make money for people - he will be a role model. Now that he's stepped over a so-called line - what we will see is the triage that will be done with this guy to recover his image so he can continue to make money for other people.

Maybe when they legalize mj - he can become a spokesperson for that. (now that last sentence was sarcasm)

[Lerkfish]

13. well, may I politely still say that role-modelry is wrong on its face, and your post proves it

because he won medals, you think he has an imaginary line that other people don't have that he is not allowed to cross.

that is precisely what is wrong with it.

simply because his muscles and synapse coordination is more efficent than most DOES NOT MEAN he has a higher moral position, nor should it.

Now, if he were a priest or some other moral leader, then judging him by a moral barometer makes more sense.

Athletes are given a free pass on responsibilty all their lives, and then we suddenly expect them to behave once they have endorsements?

bullshit.

[global1]

15. I Didn't Make Him The Role Model - Madison Avenue Did. ....

and again - he wasn't just the run of the mill high paid pro athlete - he was an Olympian. Olympians supposedly should strive for a higher moral position. But even the Olympics has been influenced by Madison Avenue and is a shadow of its former self. Sad.

I don't suddenly expect Phelps to behave now that he has endorsements - but I'm sure the companies that he's representing do. I do however expect Phelps to behave because he is an Olympian.

I suppose that Phelps will rank right up there with Bruce Jenner and we'll be watching him on future 'reality shows'.

Certainly Phelps will not maintain his pedestal like a Jesse Owens.

Now I don't know if you have any children. But kids - especially those that are really into swimming - aspire to be like Michael Phelps. Their coaches use Phelps as an example. Certainly his behavior is not worthy of example in this case. And I don't want my kids to say - if Phelps could do this so could I.

Somebody made a comment above about 'speeding being illegal'. If one is caught speeding they pay the consequences. They may get a ticket. Their insurance premium may go up. They may be disciplined by their parents. They may lose the rights to driving a car for a period of time. Heaven forbid they hurt or kill somebody because of their speeding. They may be regretting their behavior for the rest of their lives.

[Lerkfish]

17. I really don't think you get my point at all.

but that's ok. and I DO have a son, and the LAST thing I EVER want him to do is idolize an athlete.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. That's a good thing.

Hopefully that will mean those millions of kids won't grow up to be a bunch of dumbass drug warriors.

[Earth_First]

5. I LOVE MOBS!

OFF WITH HIS HEAD!

[Kokonoe]

7. No one person is too big; to be above the law.

:sarcasm:

[Still Sensible]

14. You would think that a sheriff would have a better

understanding of what kind of evidence would be needed to charge, much less convict. Just a grandstanding douche bag, I guess. Must be up for reelection soon.

[Javaman]

16. in the end the cop will lose. just a fact.

trying to jail an 8 gold medal winner on a pot smoking charge will go no where fast.

all this cop wants to do is make a name for himself with the morally superior super fundies.

beyond that, it's all bullshit.