I wonder what the license restriction was (is)? Anyone know? I know some states have restrictions on teen drivers, but I can't imagine they apply to someone 19.
EDIT: Another thing to consider is many states have a "zero tolerance" policy for underage drivers. In other words, you can get a DUI with a BAC of only .02%. I haven't heard yet what Phelps' BAC was, but just something to keep in mind before we start accusing him of being drunk.
I saw it on www.foxnews.com/.../0,2933,137968,00.html this morning.
Hey he's 19 years old, and a human being what should we expect. We all make mistakes, his will be more costly if a sponsor pull away from him.
Aquageek I didn't mean to make lite of it, it's a serious crime, and I'd be madder than a old wet hen if my family was injured, or worse, if hit by a drunk driver.
What I should have said was making millions and being a gifted athlete doesn't make a person god like. Many people think athletes don't or shouldn't make mistakes, but we know they do. That being said they should be punished like everybody else, but we know different about that too, wouldn't you agree?
Originally posted by geochuck
Is it possible he could not have been intoxicated.
George
Yes. From the articles and such, all they say is that he had alcohol in his system, and they don't even say that directly they just strongly imply. They never say how much, whether or not he took a test and they are not releasing his BAC. It is possible that he didn't have any alcohol in his system.
~Kyra
Originally posted by aquageek
I wonder about all these people that say this is a one time thing, he's a stand up guy, this is just a bump on the road, a little mistake, he can't have a drinking problem. Would they say the same thing if it was a pro baseball or basketball player? Or, would you say what we all say about the coddled professional athlete - "there they go again." Such a double standard. He broke the law, he committed a crime. The beloved star of swimming is no better now than the other pro sports athletes.
The only reason they say "there they go again" is because sometimes other sports have more than one person committing the same offense. I don't think that they single out a specific player unless they are a repeat offender. As far as saying it was a mistake, they have said that before for other sports players. I'm sure that if we went onto a basketball site that they would be defending their players and saying it was just a mistake. No body, of any sport, wants to see their star go down even if they disagree strongly with what they did. They want to see them recieve their just punishment, put it behind them, and get back to what they do best.
~Kyra
Originally posted by aquageek
Here's what we should expect, no one should drive drunk, period. This isn't a mistake, give me a break.
I agree with geek. Driving drunk is not and never has been a mistake. It is a crime - and potentially lethal at that. It should always be punished for the crime that it is. In my view, when a person makes a conscious choice to consume ANY amount of alcohol, knowing they may soon be behind the wheel, they become a menace.
Kids (and 19 is still a "kid") don't always make good choices - that's understandable. But when they make choices that endanger the rest of us they need to suffer the same consequences adults would suffer. Like it or not whatever happens to Phelps WILL have an effect on how many kids think about alcohol and driving.
The story broke here in Baltimore yesterday afternoon. And it's been on the media here ad nauseam all morning until I can repeat the script verbatim. We can debate all day what Aquaqeek and Jpjackson76 have said here as both of them have excellent points.
What Michael did was wrong, he's 19 and gonna make stupid mistakes and given his stature, should have know better. Also, he might lose some sponsorships. Given that, plus what it's going to cost him in legal fees here in Maryland (DUI/DWI representation ain't cheap here in Maryland or anywhere else, for that matter), not to mention facing a possible fine and/or possibly up to one year in some correctional facility and/or community service, I would hope that he will learn from this. Also, I would not want to be him to face his Mom and Dad with this.
The story here in the Baltimore Sun can be accessed by clicking here.
IMHO.
P.S.
Michael Phelps didn't make himself into a "god," the media and promoters did.
Originally posted by jpjackson76
Aquageek I didn't mean to make lite of it, it's a serious crime, and I'd be madder than a old wet hen if my family was injured, or worse, if hit by a drunk driver.
What I should have said was making millions and being a gifted athlete doesn't make a person god like. Many people think athletes don't or shouldn't make mistakes, but we know they do. That being said they should be punished like everybody else, but we know different about that too, wouldn't you agree?
This is a disappointment in that a lot of young kids look up to him. As for it being a mistake and he is sorry, I believe the only thing he is sorry for is getting caught. As a former police officer, I have seen up close and personal the results of DUI, and untill you have an infant pass away in your arms as a result of drunk driver, then you will think differnetly as it was just a mistake.
He made his choice and now he should be treated just as everyone. Prosecuted to full extent of law for first time offenders. He should also should be ordered by court to do public speaches on this experience, and if I were a sponsor, I would drop him like a bad habit.
Sorry for the vent, but this brings back bad memories and I do hope he does learn and that their are other alterternatives besides getting behind the wheel drunk.
I second knelsons reply about the BAC. Maryland has if I am correct two standards for drinking and driving a "DUI" that is for a .07 BAC and "DWI" .08 and up.. It sounds like it was a DUI cause thats whats being reported. What i've read so far is that hes accepted responsibly for this.. I have almost been killed or hurt over the years in near misses.. The people responsible.. Stupid drivers! Doing totaly stupid things like suddenly stopping on the interstate because they missed their exit. Phelps is a young man he made a mistake and he owned up to it. Now if we read again about some more of the same .. then he will have a problem and he will screw up his legacy but I doubt it.. hes a very dedicated fellow to his swimming.
