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Golden Boy Phelps Lights Up, So Does (Allegedly) Obama's Half-Brother In Kenya

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 12:57:58 PM EST
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This is damn funny to me (photo here):

Olympic great Michael Phelps has acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment” after a photo in a British newspaper showed him smoking marijuana. In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games conceded the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World.

Phelps said: “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

No word on whether he inhaled. UPDATE- Obama's half brother arrested for marijuana possession in Kenya. A "youthful indiscretion" no doubt. I hate the hypocritical BS.

Speaking for me only

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    Golden Boy Phelps Lights Up, So Does (Allegedly) Obama's Half-Brother In Kenya | 99 comments (99 topical)

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    Gawd these kids are dumb. (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by oldpro on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:08:09 PM EST
    A photo of him eating a brownie wouldn't have even been printed.

    It's not the pot that's the problem...it's the delivery system.

    Heh heh. (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by lobary on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:15:48 PM EST
    Good comment made great by the username.

    Parent
    Who cares? (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by TomStewart on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:12:30 PM EST
    Leave the kid alone and let him toke up in peace.

    Let the kid leave us alone (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:14:31 PM EST
    " acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

    He wants to be a phony, that is his business.

    He wants to promise "never to do it again," well, that's asking to be caught.  

    Parent

    Exactly right. (none / 0) (#8)
    by oldpro on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:17:03 PM EST
    Phony baloney.

    Parent
    Could this disqualify him (none / 0) (#18)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:26:19 PM EST
    from  the next Olympics, or is it only necessary to pass drug tests associated with competitions?
    That's the only issue that's remotely interesting to me. Too bad it's not true what they say about Thorpe, btw:)

    Parent
    Disqualify? Who knows? (none / 0) (#44)
    by oldpro on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:22:24 PM EST
    Do you think he plans to enter the next Olympics?

    Re Jim Thorpe...the OC restored his medals as they should have.  To what do you refer with the comment "Too bad it's not true what they say about Thorpe, btw:)"?

    Parent

    Sorry, lost track of who I was (none / 0) (#45)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:27:53 PM EST
    responding to when I referred to Ian Thorpe.
    He has repeatedly publicly denied that he is gay.


    Parent
    Ahhh. Gotcha. (none / 0) (#62)
    by oldpro on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 07:00:49 PM EST
    Thanks.

    Parent
    He's not sorry (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:14:27 PM EST
    and I don't care.

    I do not like his phony BS (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:15:08 PM EST
    and I am laughng my ass off about it.

    Parent
    He's not exactly a rocket scientist, so. . . (none / 0) (#10)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:18:29 PM EST


    Parent
    So what? (none / 0) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:20:05 PM EST
    I hated his phony act with his mom throughout the Olympics. And he is copntinuing the phony act now.

    I admit it, I dislike the entire Phelps schtick and am gald to see it fall apart.

    Parent

    I've always expected less (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:23:46 PM EST
    from dumb jocks and their helicopter parents. He's a good swimmer, and I don't expect anything else from him.

    Doesn't he have a DUI in his past, anyway?

    Parent

    That is a classic comment, (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Joelarama on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:52:50 PM EST
    Andgarten.  "Helicopter parents."  LOL

    Parent
    Not my phrase, but I like it (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:59:12 PM EST
    This is my generation (I've got less than a month on Phelps), so I take license to badmouth him.

    Parent
    I'm shallow. What annoys me is that (none / 0) (#19)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:27:27 PM EST
    he is so not good looking. I don't want to see his face or his strangely proportioned body.

    Parent
    no comment (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:30:45 PM EST


    Parent
    Thanks for saying it (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by ruffian on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 06:31:58 PM EST
    I was thinking the same thing. I don't like his whole schtick, and when I come right down to it, it's mostly because I just don't think he is very attractive. I'll admit it, I wanted that cute French guy to beat him.

    I think it is OK to be shallow about meaningless sports stars.

    Parent

    I know the feeling well (none / 0) (#15)
    by lobary on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:23:44 PM EST
    Living in Austin for over two decades, I was done with Lance Armstrong's egotistical b.s. way before the public caught up with me.

    Lance is a big phony, too.

    Parent

    Boo (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:17:43 PM EST
    Regrettable? lol... Wonder what he really regrets?  Certainly not taking a bong hit, or drinking beer.  I am sure that the only thing he regrets is that someone took a photo and sold it to the press.
    Now he has to do damage control to keep his product endorsement revenue pouring in.  

    Ding! (none / 0) (#11)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:18:59 PM EST
    Let's ask him if that was the only time he smoked marijuana.

    Parent
    Hey, I wonder how his Chinese is. . . (none / 0) (#12)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:19:09 PM EST


    Parent
    Free George! (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:53:21 PM EST
    Locked up Saturday, I sure hope he's out by now...5 minutes in a cage over some reefer is 5 too many, never mind 24 hours, 24 days, 24 years.

    Hopefully Barack will make a phone call on his behalf, and get to work reforming our drug laws.  A man can dream...

    Yea (none / 0) (#48)
    by CST on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:47:44 PM EST
    It definitely seemed like he was set up for being who he is.  In the articles it seemed like he didn't even realize what he was being arrested for.

    Phelphs didn't get locked up, just pictures.  I bet he won't too.  As it should be, but still all too commonly one-sided.

    Parent

    Imagine the TOKE he got... (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by cwolf on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 04:02:49 PM EST
    ...with his One-of-a-Kind houmongous World Class LUNGS !!!

    I like the way Phil Jackson (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Ben Masel on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:10:29 PM EST
    went public that he was taking a year off from coaching, in part so he could smoke weed without violating NBA rules.

    I don't care if Phelps (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 09:16:01 AM EST
    smokes weed.  It's just me, but my first thought was wow.....what would his lung capacity be if he didn't smoke :)?  He could be faster!  Aren't current figures something like 1/3 of us weed users now?

    This display of Schadenfreude (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by OldCity on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 09:51:34 AM EST
    is pretty depressing.

    Lampooning the guy becuae he has natural gifts, then works hard and exploits them for success is sad.  

    I'm sure that if I made fun of a highly intelligent intellectual who eploited his intelligence to become successul I'd get an affirmative response...

    Like it or not, what the guy did is amazing and required a huge amount of dedication.  He may not have saved the world, but ours is a culture that respects the result of hard work, even in athletics.  We also consume things that are endorsed by famous people, last I checked.

    I'm disturbed that someone felt the urge to diminish the guy in this way.  The youger kids these days don't seem to understand that not all activity need be public, that people need room to err...The thought that a 23 year old kid, one of millions, could be forever tarnished just for smoking a little dope is horrifying to me. Especailly when we know just how prevalent it is.  We're not entitled to be judgemental on this...we make movies and sell magazines that glorify it...  

    I hate liars (none / 0) (#73)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 10:38:44 AM EST
    And Phelps is a liar. And a harmful pone is many people go to jail for what Phelps did.

    I really dislike your comments because they are so dishonest.

    Parent

    So? (5.00 / 2) (#78)
    by OldCity on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:34:16 AM EST
    How many 23 year olds do you know?  How many teenage athletes who swear they'll never drink, then enter (true) adulthood?  

    I'm not truly fond of your comments...I doubt you meet the lofty standards you so readily set for others.  I'm not sure how big that tent is, my friend, since so few are apparently qualified for entry...

    Parent

    I hate the snitch (3.00 / 2) (#66)
    by 1980Ford on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:19:33 PM EST
    Why do so many celebrate over someone snitching someone off? Whoever snitched him off is worse than the worst rat. Pretended to be a friend only to ruin him. Better to call the cops who might give him a better chance of living it down without ruination.

    And why do you post on TalkLeft, a defense site?

    When Michael Phelps goes to jail (none / 0) (#69)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 07:42:05 AM EST
    or even gets charged, call me.

    Michael Phelps' hypocrisy helps keep people in jail.

    I think other Talk Left FPers get that. You do not obviously.

    Parent

    How do you figure? (none / 0) (#81)
    by 1980Ford on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:51:46 AM EST
    No where in the article does it say he called for mandatory minimums for pot smokers, and even if he did a PSA asking kids to stay away from drugs that is not necessarily hypocrisy. To put it in perspective, why isn't the partygoer who sold the picture for a few pieces of silver, why isn't his/her name and picture in every story about this? Some of us would like to give that partygoer some feedback. That partygoer is the real villain in this story.

    That Phelps wasn't actually arrested doesn't matter. Like I said, even cops, many of them anyway, would exercise some discretion. Often times cops have a better sense of justice than the mob does.

    Parent

    Pfft (none / 0) (#82)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 12:34:04 PM EST
    "I'll never ever do that evil thing agin." Yep, Phelps was a real mensch here. Sheesh.

    Parent
    That's it? (none / 0) (#83)
    by 1980Ford on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 01:36:48 PM EST
    That's the only justification for the Schadenfreude of this ugly guy with an ugly body? He had contracts and undoubtedly good behavior was one of the clauses. An apology for breaking that clause, even if not explicit, makes sense. Smoking pot is illegal should it be or not.

    "I'll never ever do that evil thing agin."

    Would that we were all drawn and quartered for making such a terrible statement.

    Better that Pehlps could say, "I'll take the Fifth," and that would be that, but the mob would have pounced on him for that, too, probably more so.

    You still haven't answered the main point. Why does the partygoer who sold the picture for a few pieces of silver get a free pass?

    Parent

    The Regretable Thing (none / 0) (#84)
    by squeaky on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 01:46:09 PM EST
    Is that Phelps did not keep his mouth shut. THat is the only youthful indescretion involved here. He obviously lied to placate his endorsement gravy train. It is blatant hypocrisy.

    And as for this:

    Why does the partygoer who sold the picture for a few pieces of silver get a free pass?

    It is a non sequitur. Phelps is a star, public figure. As long as  paparazzi can make money off his image they will. Arguing about making a living off famous people is another issue. That is unless you want to talk about all the other people who are making a living off Phelps image as well. And how that practice lines Phelps pockets.

    Parent

    Ah, so he offended the pot gods (none / 0) (#85)
    by 1980Ford on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 02:32:31 PM EST
    With friends like libertarians, who needs enemies? What if the one who took the picture is the one who filled the bowl and told him to take a hit? Is that hypocrisy? Or what if the one who took the picture smokes pot? Is that hypocrisy? Probably bought a pound for the few pieces of silver.

    Maybe it's non sequitur, maybe not, but you don't have enough facts to claim it is for a fact non sequitur.

    Evidently his real crime is lying, probably on the advice of an attorney or manager, but how many would give up million dollar contracts to appease the pot gods? Given how quick they will turn on him for the slightest cause, maybe he owes them nothing.

    If anyone here claims they would forgo million dollar contracts to appease the pot gods, I'd be tempted to call them a liar, or at least unable to have enough empathy to know how difficult that decision might be. As to the paparazzi leeches being a necessary evil in the libertarian society, yeah, and no one else is so quick to feed the tough on crime trolls by keeping moral indignation at the fore.

    Evidently, the playgoer is a libertarian hero. I say he/she is a flat out coward and likely far more hypocritical than Phelps.

    Parent

    Pot Gods, Libertarian? (none / 0) (#86)
    by squeaky on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 02:54:02 PM EST
    Not sure what you are going on about here.

    The issue is that Phelps obviously lied in order to damage control for his McDonalds and Kellogs multimillion dollar contracts.

    He could have said no comment. Instead he lied. That makes him look like an idiot. But you seem to think that lying is fine if millions of dollars may be at stake.

    No wonder Libby, Bush et al got such passes if people like you are giving them the nod.

    From my point of view he should have said no comment. Peroiod. The hypocrisy involved by apologizing about smoking pot because as a role model that is somehow immoral while at the same time pushing McDonalds and Frosted Flakes and raking in millions is beyond the pale.

    Do you think that obviously lying in order to to save millions in McDucks endorsements is a good role model for young people?

    Parent

    Now it's "for the children" (none / 0) (#87)
    by 1980Ford on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 03:45:42 PM EST
    Everyone else shut up. How do you know he was lying? Maybe he decided pot was evil because the picture got him in so much trouble, and anything that causes that much trouble must be evil.

    I say pot gods and libertarian because it seems he was supposed to say, "I don't care if I lose these contracts. Pot should be legal and I'm not going to quit smoking it even though it is illegal."

    Sigh. Our hero.

    Do you put that in your briefs and tell it to the judge when you argue in court? Hell no. Hypocrite. :)

    While I agree he should have just kept his mouth shut, or taken the Fifth like mentioned before, saying it is evil is not an evil thing to say. Big deal! What he says does not make evil or not. And the mob would have attacked him anyway had he remained silent. He's ugly and has an ugly body, after all.

    But the first to snitch and incite the mob is always the good person and is never evil which might be why you did not answer the partygoer's potential hypocrisy.

    Again, why does an anonymous coward get a free pass? The question isn't even worthy debate. Why not? The partygoer was a troll of national proportions that incited what amounts to a national flame war. Trolls, rightfully, are not welcome here or most anywhere. Why are they tolerated, even well paid and esteemed, on the national level? It's a fair question and no one yet has provided a satisfactory answer.

    Parent

    For The Children? (none / 0) (#88)
    by squeaky on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 04:18:37 PM EST
    Have you read the apology? Have you followed the story? Do you even know who the guy is?

    ".... I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

    The U.S. Olympic Committee said it was "disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps," who was selected the group's sportsman of the year. He also was honored as AP male athlete of the year, and his feat in Beijing -- breaking Mark Spitz's 36-year-old record for most gold medals in an Olympics -- was chosen as the top story of 2008.

    "Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people," the USOC said in a statement. "In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities."

    "It's sort of a double-edged sword," Torres told the AP on Sunday. "When you're recognizable, you're looked up to as a role model. He is recognizable and everything you do gets looked at and picked apart. I guess that's the price of winning 14 Olympic medals."

    ESPN

    Why do you think his picture is on kids breakfast cereal?

    The whole point of this story, as far as I am concerned, is that Phelps' obvious lying is the far greater sin. No one, and I maintain no one, believes that he is never going to toke up again.

    As far as your drum regarding the paparazzi, it is a yawn as far as I am concerned. When you sell yourself out to major product endorsements and your face is plastered everywhere, you are fair game and had better watch out what you do outside the privacy of your own home.

    Parent

    Cut the condescending bull (none / 0) (#89)
    by 1980Ford on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 06:41:02 PM EST
    Phelps to Dirty Rat: Why'd ya rat me out?

    Dirty Rat: Because your picture is on a cereal box, oh, and I made at least six figures.

    Phelps to Dirty Rat: What harm did taking a hit off a bong do?

    Dirty Rat: What if someone took a picture of it and the kids saw it? Can you imagine how crushed they'd be?

    Phelps to Dirty Rat: But you're the one that took the picture!

    Dirty Rat: That's what you get for leaving your house. You really hurt those kids. See ya. I'm off to buy a house for cash. You selling yours now that your contracts are gone?

    Parent

    Luxury (none / 0) (#90)
    by squeaky on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 10:52:26 PM EST
    The luxury you describe has already been traded in by Phelps.

    His image is public. He has been paid millions for that service. That is the price paid for being a celebrity.

    Any star that takes a bong hit at a frat party is likely to wind up in the tabloids. Phelps was really stupid enough in that regard, imo, but even stupider in his apology.

    Parent

    This will make you almost happy (none / 0) (#91)
    by 1980Ford on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 12:08:08 PM EST
    SC sheriff is investigating Phelps' pot pipe photo

    Not quite there yet, but almost.

    Parent

    lol (none / 0) (#93)
    by squeaky on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 01:55:54 PM EST
    Go for it. Good luck Mr Sherriff, even he is trying to profit from Phelps image. His reelection must be coming up soon.

    Guess there is not much to do in Richland County.

    And if you think that Phelps can be prosecuted for possession or owning the bong, from a photo, I have a bridge to sell you.

    Parent

    This pretty much says it all... (none / 0) (#95)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 02:13:41 PM EST
    "The bottom line is, if he broke the law, and he did it in Richland County, he's going to be charged," Cowan said. "And there's no difference between Michael Phelps and several other people that we arrest for the same type of a charge everyday." Under South Carolina law, possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor that carries a fine up to $200 and 30 days in jail for the first offense. Possession of paraphernalia is a $500 fine.

    The Richland County sheriff has long sought to fight drug crimes. He rose from patrol officer to captain of the narcotics division in the early 1990s, after the television series "Miami Vice" made its splash.

    Lott played the part well. He wore stylish suits and had long hair then. He drove a Porsche seized from a drug dealer and even worked undercover with federal agents in Florida.

    Crockett (Tubbs?) wannabe.

    Link


    Parent

    Seizure Laws (none / 0) (#96)
    by squeaky on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 02:25:16 PM EST
    I bet Mr Sheriff man is looking for a little olympic gold to dangle from his porsche rearview mirror.

    Pigs.

    Parent

    No endorsements (none / 0) (#1)
    by mmc9431 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:07:10 PM EST
    I hope it was good. I can see the endorsements crashing and burning. This isn't his first incident with the press. He made headlines in Vegas too. Evidently he isn't money motivated.

    Hey (none / 0) (#14)
    by jbindc on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:21:16 PM EST
    He's now prepared to run for President.

    Don't think so. Did Phelps admit (none / 0) (#75)
    by oculus on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:13:50 AM EST
    using cocaine?

    Parent
    Many Swimmers Know (none / 0) (#17)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:25:55 PM EST
    That MJ causes dilation of alveoli (air sacs) in lungs, resulting in deeper respiration.

    And the bong, from what I remember from my swimmer pals, was the instrument of choice.

    that's interesting. Ballet dancers (none / 0) (#20)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:29:02 PM EST
    smoke cigarettes for a similar reason. In that case, there may be no helpful physiological mechanism involved, but I'm sure you're aware how many dancers smoke.


    Parent
    Dancers smoke as an alternative (none / 0) (#76)
    by oculus on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:14:51 AM EST
    to eating.  

    Parent
    That makes sense.... (none / 0) (#79)
    by kdog on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:42:42 AM EST
    when people ask me how I stay skinny as a rail, I tell 'em about the kdog diet...a pack of butts and 8 cups of coffee a day.  You can eat whatever you want!  No excercise!  

    Now if I could just package that somehow and sell it for 3 installments of $19.99 each:)

    Parent

    Not Always (none / 0) (#80)
    by squeaky on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:49:59 AM EST
    I have known many dancers who eat like a horse and do not smoke or gain weight as they work out like maniacs. Smoking tobacco is plain old addiction for dancers and nothing else, imo.

    Parent
    <iøve known plenty of dancers also. (none / 0) (#92)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 12:41:32 PM EST
    <they start smoking to stay thin but, once hooked, really hard to stop, espec. as the whole crowd smokes.

    Parent
    I love it... (none / 0) (#94)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 02:00:19 PM EST
    ...when you speak Danish!

    Parent
    Pretty bad, eh? Luckily the cabdrivers, (none / 0) (#97)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 11:19:43 AM EST
    museum workers, and hotel desk are all fluent in English.  But, query:  why does one of Danish coins have a hole in the middle?

    Parent
    Hmmm (none / 0) (#98)
    by CST on Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 11:23:36 AM EST
    Maybe it makes it easier for blind people.

    In some countries the bills are different sizes too for that reason.

    Parent

    Intersting... (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 11:29:11 AM EST
    The coins differ in terms of size, weight and rim.

    Within each sequence the diameter and weight of the coins increase with their value.

    The 50-øre and 10-krone coins have smooth rims, while the rims of the 1- and 5-krone coins are milled.

    The rims of the 2- and 20-krone coins have interrupted milling.

    The 1-, 2- and 5-krone coins have a hole in the middle.

    Use of these various characteristics makes it easy for the blind and sight-impaired to tell the coins apart.



    Parent
    Thanks for the information. (none / 0) (#100)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 11:36:17 AM EST
    I'm also curious why the Danes are in the EU but rejected the Euro.  

    New thought:  State Museum today was full of school groups==lots of diversity.

    Parent

    I confess (none / 0) (#22)
    by lentinel on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:32:23 PM EST
    I know I shouldn't have done it, but the other day I took a drink.
    I had a martini.
    I am so embarrassed.

    Gotcha (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Spamlet on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:53:23 PM EST
    Somebody took a photo.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#27)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:55:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Somewhere, I have a picture (none / 0) (#46)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:44:28 PM EST
    from college days, with me in a similarly relaxed pose.

    I made sure to get the negatives, too.

    Parent

    picture? (none / 0) (#23)
    by jharp on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:46:05 PM EST
    Anyone have a link to the picture?

    Yes (none / 0) (#24)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:48:21 PM EST
    Here

    Parent
    Meh (none / 0) (#30)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:59:52 PM EST
    He did not have to play Jack Armstrong for us.

    Fair enough bro... (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:23:05 PM EST
    Ricky Williams tried to level with us, and got a lot more grief for his trouble...be ready for a lot more of this tin-can response from future athletes.

    Parent
    I'm a big Ricky Williams fan (none / 0) (#50)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:53:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Agreed (none / 0) (#31)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:00:20 PM EST


    I think Phelps may become a (none / 0) (#32)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:01:47 PM EST
    Libertarian after this incident.

    LOL... (none / 0) (#36)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:10:42 PM EST
    An arrest or two might seal it for him Thatone:)

    We potheads can be so selfish with our liberty sometimes...the nerve of us:)

    Parent

    I was sick of the drama (none / 0) (#33)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:02:19 PM EST
    ...sick of the "human interest" story.

    I remember (barely) one Olympic team swimming event where Phelps was on the team, but a swimmer other than Phelps turned things around for the USA.  It was incredible, this swimmer literally saved the day for the team.

    What was the first media question?  "How does it feel to help Phelps win another medal."

    Good thing I don't own a gun.  I woulda killed my TV.

    Paul Krugman wins the Nobel prize.  Did Pepsi approach him?  No.  However, genetically acquire a freakishly long torso, a little determination, and the ability to eat 15,000 calories a day and it's a road to riches.

    Yep, it's fun watching them go down under their own vices....I wish all drugs were legal...however, the consolation prize for moronic laws is the chuckle I get here.

    Whatever (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:18:27 PM EST
    I am sure that he has had to work harder than 99.99999% of the rest of us to achieve what he has achieved.

    You may not like the guy, and think he is an ugly freak, but his accomplishments are huge and that is only due to his will power and personal efforts.

    Not sure why you would try to discredit his accomplishment.

    Parent

    And having (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Natal on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:45:21 PM EST
    to deal with ADHD.  I'd say he's a total inspiration.

    Parent
    It's different in other countries. (none / 0) (#34)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:04:46 PM EST
    When Heisuke Hironaka won the Fields' Medal  in the 1960's, he was able to turn his celebrity in Japan into good money through endorsements.

    Parent
    IMO, the Olympics is permanently discredited (none / 0) (#35)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:05:32 PM EST
    I mean, for how many years did the East Germans get away with poisoning their athletes to shave off a few seconds?

    Besides, I find it all boring.

    Parent

    Reminds Me of An Old Robert Klein Bit (none / 0) (#41)
    by daring grace on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:41:07 PM EST
    about the importance, fame and rewards attached to professional sports vs. other (more cerebral) attainments:

    He referred to Jonas Salk, a "true American hero, and he probably can't even get laid. There are not that many scientist groupies around."  I expect some of the scientists in our midst might demur about that...

    Then he did a woman's seductive voice saying: "Dr. Salk, my name is Myrna. I love you, baby. I love you, Salkie baby!"

    Parent

    It's funny b/c (none / 0) (#37)
    by of1000Kings on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:13:29 PM EST
     of who it is but its a bit sad that he's made to feel like he has to apologize for smoking marijuana while in a country that doesnt have the same attitude about the substance as america does...   If usin' was good enough for GW its cant be all bad, right?

    I'm sure its those DFH's (none / 0) (#38)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:17:41 PM EST
    up in Ann Arbor that are to blame.  'Cause everyone knows that kids from Bawlmer County don't do those kind of things.  

    What's that Carmello?  Oh really...nevermind.

    /Brooklyn Park rules, Towson drools!

    Not often I run into anyone (none / 0) (#51)
    by Anne on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:54:22 PM EST
    who knows Towson...but as an early 70's Towson High grad, I would, um, beg to differ about the drooling.  And Carmelo was Towson Catholic - a whole other thing, you know?

    Phelps is learning the downside to being a sports phenom/hero, and the prison that the huge endorsement deals become.  No, he didn't have to take the deals - he could have just said, "no thanks," but training and competing is an expensive undertaking.

    Whatever his talents are, they have pretty much ensured that he has not led a normal life for a long time, and the gazillion dollars he's making cannot buy him either normal social development or a normal life.

    He's reading from the script written by the companies he represents; if there's BS anywhere, it's there.

    Parent

    Mike's been playing... (none / 0) (#71)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 09:48:43 AM EST
    ...the God's gift to mankind card for quite awhile now--even before the "gazillions" and the endorsements.  

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#42)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:52:25 PM EST
    I saw the Obama story. Have to say it stinks a bit. I am suspicious of the bust.

    It's amazing (none / 0) (#49)
    by Natal on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:52:30 PM EST
    how many people got through the 60's and 70's without ever having smoked dope at least once. At least that's what I discern from the condemning comments here.

    Who's condemning him for (none / 0) (#52)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:55:03 PM EST
    smoking pot? I didn't see any comments doing so.

    Parent
    Sheesh (none / 0) (#55)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 04:05:14 PM EST
    What a load of crap. No one gives a crap of he a smoke a big fat joint as we speak.

    It's is the hypocritical and false BS that gets my goat.

    Parent

    Hoping Tebow doesn't turn out to (none / 0) (#77)
    by oculus on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:17:35 AM EST
    have feet of clay.

    Parent
    and he spilled ashes on a Blue Dress... (none / 0) (#53)
    by cwolf on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:55:59 PM EST
    and he seemed so norml...

    could this lead to socialism?

    Wow - that photo (none / 0) (#56)
    by Dr Molly on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 04:35:42 PM EST
    brought me instant 20-year-old memories of the distinctly nasty smell of bong water.

    Then put this on your Xmas list next year (none / 0) (#58)
    by lobary on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 04:51:22 PM EST
    Say goodbye to your old dirty f*cking hippie bong! No more bongwater on the carpet! I present to you....the Volcano

    Parent
    ha ha - that's great (none / 0) (#59)
    by Dr Molly on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 04:58:54 PM EST
    Too late for me though. The Volcano is for another generation.

    Parent
    Stimulus? (none / 0) (#67)
    by coast on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:47:00 PM EST
    Is there any money in the new bill to mass produce this?

    Never could figure out a good way to get bong water smell out of the carpet.

    Parent

    Interview with Hight Times (none / 0) (#57)
    by coast on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 04:50:40 PM EST
    magazine will be forth coming.

    huh. (none / 0) (#60)
    by s5 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 06:23:57 PM EST
    It didn't even occur to me that it was a scandal until I read that he was apologizing for something. I just thought it was news in the same way that a celebrity party photo is sometimes considered news. As in, "look how out of character it is for the disciplined athlete to be partying". But actually, it's news because society is expected to frown on marijuana. Weird.

    Doesn't everyone smoke pot? Or at least, hasn't everyone smoked pot at some point in their past, even if just to try it? I have a hard time believing that there are very many people left out there who can bring themselves to feel genuine moral outrage over a bong hit.

    I don't feel any moral outrage. (none / 0) (#63)
    by Fabian on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 07:11:58 PM EST
    Just a good laugh at the downside of being an international celebrity.  

    Once upon a time, I wanted to be rich and famous.  After I got a good look at what being famous was like, I decided I wanted to be rich and anonymous instead.  

    Parent

    The Appropriate Response Is... (none / 0) (#64)
    by Dead Kennedy on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 07:34:16 PM EST
    "Yeah, I was smoking pot. I didn't feel like getting drunk."

    He shoulda just said... (none / 0) (#68)
    by Dadler on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 12:25:37 AM EST
    ...if I was throwing down shots of tequila with my buddies, no one would bat a lash.  In fact, I might even get paid to promote that tequila.  Thank you, have a nice day."

    But you're right, Tent, he gave, or his PR firm did, the most ridiculously "crafted" statement I've read in quite some time.  

    Wonderful title running at (none / 0) (#74)
    by oculus on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:08:59 AM EST
    the bottom of the screen on CNN-Asia:  Phelps regrets smoking pot photo.

    Golden Boy Phelps Lights Up, So Does (Allegedly) Obama's Half-Brother In Kenya | 99 comments (99 topical)

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