Phelps Poll!

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:54:56 GMT

This is old stuff. It is too bad he was not driving DUI in Canada where you receive a criminal record for DUI. www.druglibrary.org/.../s20p1.htm

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:31:24 GMT

He's young and made a bad choice, however because he is a role-model Phelps should step up and talk to the next generation of swimmers about health and choices.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:08:16 GMT

I don't think anything should happen. He was at a private party. Who cares? Has nobody here ever broken the law (drinking under age or experimenting). As long as he is not out advocating that everyone should do it who cares what he does in private. Not his fault someone is out to make money by selling incriminating photos. Besides marijuana is slowly becoming legalized anyway.

RE: Phelps Poll!

ViveBene — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:03:09 GMT

None of the choices apply. Did he hurt anyone? Allgedly he help a smoking device with something in it. ?? This poll is from November 2004, about his drunk driving citation/conviction.

RE: Phelps Poll!

orca1946 — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:28:28 GMT

None of the choices apply. Did he hurt anyone? Allgedly he help a smoking device with something in it.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 05:41:53 GMT

I miss the 70s.

RE: Phelps Poll!

FindingMyInnerFish — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 08:53:15 GMT

My sense of it is that more will be accomplished in a positive way by having him do *appropriate* community service. This could be anything from working with organizations like DARE, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) or SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving). A jail sentence would help no one, whereas someone with his reputation could find a way to bring good from potential harm. This isn't only about Michael Phelps. It's about how to prevent future drunk driving by Phelps and others. Some have questioned his sincerity in owning up for what he did. I tend to think he was sincere--young, perhaps scared at first to go public, but finally pulling himself together and coming around to doing the right thing. Sainthood takes a lifetime to achieve. He's human and like most of us learning from experience. So the most constructive way to respond is to give him the chance to continue learning and others the chance to learn from him to avoid his mistake.

RE: Phelps Poll!

jswim — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:46:39 GMT

I have to agree with you. I wouldn't turn down free top legal either. He did something stupid (as most of us have done), and yes, I grew up drinking before I was 21 as well, as did most of the people I knew. Yes, it was dumb and illegal, but the consequences should be the same for him as any other teen that got a dui. As for sponsorship, that's up to them to decide, and I agree with Heather that it's impressive to see someone face this situation with the amount of responsibility that he has, I've seen many other supposed 'role models' shirk away from taking responsibilities before, and it's refreshing to see someone act respectfully and responsibly.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Tue, 07 Dec 2004 17:23:24 GMT

I am not saying that Mike couldn't afford lawyers, obviously he can. And as someone previously stated there are likely more than a few that would do it for the publicitiy, but I still wouldn't turn down free top legal help ... maybe that's just me....

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 17:53:30 GMT

Originally posted by SwiminONandON How many times did you hear about Britney Spears getting drunk and doing stupid things or Paris Hilton (Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe - both of whom are significantly older)? And none of whom are Olympians. On the other hand, perhaps that title doesn't mean as much as we once thought it did.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 17:35:20 GMT

I think Michael is lucky. Why? First of all no one was hurt or killed! Thank God! I am very strongly opposed to drinking and driving. As everyone else has said he made a mistake. It’s not for any of us to decide whether or not he should lose sponsors or to what extent of the law he should be prosecuted. I drank before I was 21. Most people I know did. Was it “illegal”? Yes. Was I in college and “invincible”? Yes. Michael Phelps knows nothing but swimming. For the last four years (and most of his life) he has done nothing but swim, sleep and eat. He now has a lot of money and fame. He’s also injured and probably bored. (He needs to get his butt to Michigan and get back into the pool, but that’s a story for another day) I don’t know very many 19 year old guys that could handle the fame and money any better. How many times did you hear about Britney Spears getting drunk and doing stupid things or Paris Hilton (Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe - both of whom are significantly older)? I am in no way shape or form defending Michael’s actions. I don’t understand why one of the sober people in the car wasn’t driving. Maybe he was being protective of his car, maybe he didn’t realized how much he had to drink (no excuse), maybe he was thinking hey, I’m Michael Phelps, what wrong could happen, maybe he wasn’t thinking at all. I was not at all surprised when I heard about Michael. I do however, like the fact that he stepped up (even if it was after the media reports, because how many of you would have stepped up before them?) and admitted that what he did was wrong and that it was inexcusable. He didn’t try to blame the cops or deny things. That does take a certain amount of responsibility and maturity. He didn’t run and hide from the allegations either and totally snub the press. Also I’d like to know how many of you would turn down free top legal counsel. Lawyers are VERY expensive. I can see the “fluff” piece on this during the next Olympics ... “He was the golden boy in Athens, then just a few short months later his world was turned upside down when he was arrested for a DUI. He was injured and floundering ...” *gag* can’t you all just see it now, though? I think he absolutely should suffer the consequences of his actions... I am sure most 19 year olds aren't thrown in the slammer for a year for a DUI ... likely his license will be suspended (won't it be a B*tch to get him to early AM workouts?), he'll do community service, and pay a fine, which is what most other 19 year olds would do. On a side note, is he ever going to start training again?

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 17:23:41 GMT

Also, for Craig: you're right. He's gotta learn to accept that everything he does is pretty much going to be published, good with bad. It's a lesson he's learned the hard way, and will eventually run it's course, but not without leaving behind an impression.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 17:22:25 GMT

You should not be so quick to judge someone by what you read, Geek. You weren't there; you don't know. I concur with Fred; there is too much irreputable material being provided to the media to discern fact from fiction. Fact: Michael Phelps drove drunk. Stupidly. Irresponsibly. Fact: He will face a judge and be punished according to Maryland's laws, and the judge's discretion. Fact: No one on here is saying it's okay to drink and drive if you're famous. That's ridiculous. We're saying (at least I am) that he's going to be punished according to state laws. It's stupid that everyone thinks they're entitled to step up and take a swing too. Like kicking an injured person. It is not up to us to judge him. Period. Unless one thinks it fair that we also publish one's mistakes in the newspaper and then judge one. Since I'm not that brave, I reserve the right to judge myself, and nobody else.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 16:40:54 GMT

The olympic ice skater referenced earlier was Oksana Bayule (sp.) who had a run in with a tree (I think) after a party.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 14:18:11 GMT

I think it's unreasonable to expect the media to cover his achievements but look the other way when he screws up, as in this case. Prior to, during and after the Olympics he received nothing but positive press, and he certainly didn't seem to mind the attention at that time. Unfortunately, actions have consequences. The good news for him is that eventually this story, like others, will run it's course and fade from memory.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 14:01:45 GMT

Geek, I didn't say he wouldn't be tried in court, what I said was he was being tried in the media. And I've never said he should be excused because of his age or fame or whatever. He should stand trial just like the rest of us would and suffer the consequences just like the rest of us would, but the media coverage is making that extremely difficult.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 13:27:09 GMT

I believe Emmitt posted this first.....but I like it....it should play to all opinions on this thread....and if it doesn't, then I'm sorry. I can't make people see my opinions anymore than they can make me see theirs. But that's the beauty of these threads. Nobody really has to agree. Besides, it isn't our situation to live with, we have the luxury of sitting back on our soapboxes, discussing his turn in life like the way my brothers and used to argue who's going to go first in Monopoly. www.swiminfo.com/.../8405.asp

RE: Phelps Poll!

aquageek — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 12:57:48 GMT

Originally posted by SwiminONandON Lawyers are VERY expensive. And, Michael is VERY wealthy.

RE: Phelps Poll!

aquageek — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 12:32:15 GMT

Originally posted by thisgirl13 Like kicking an injured person. The continued insistence that Phelps is somehow the victim here is ridiculous. He brought this on himself, he can suffer the consequences like a big boy, although not big enough to drive drunk.

RE: Phelps Poll!

aquageek — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 09:19:26 GMT

If he was just like the common man and didn't want to be treated differently in this case, he should not have (allegedly) thrown his name around and accepted legal counsel from his sponsors. Can't have it both ways.

RE: Phelps Poll!

aquageek — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 08:33:05 GMT

Originally posted by Fred Johnson If he was irresponsible on this occasion doesn't make him a miscreant or an irresponsible person per se, no matter who he is. What, then, would make him irresponsible? He got into a large vehicle drunk and underage by legal standards. He might have had a sober person in the car to drive and he might have tried to use his personna to beat the ticket. And, the newest apologetic rambling on this forum is that all this fame thrust upon him makes it ok to drive drunk. And, Bug, for the record, he will be tried in a court of law and suffer the consequences of his actions in the court of public (and financial) opinion.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 07:01:58 GMT

As we used to say in Texas, "String 'em up!" Actually, I grew up on the west coast.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 06:41:27 GMT

This is a very unscientific note. I went through the messages to see what differentiated the very responses. I looked for negative reposnses that stated he shoudl be punished or not treated differently ( yes those are slightly different), supporting remarks, and indiffernet remarks. This is what I found. I tried to not count multiple entries made by the same person. Southerners made 5 remarks about him that seemed more negative and 1 remark that seemed more supportive. Northerners had 2 negative remarks and 2 supportive remarks. Westernerers had 4supportive remarks and 1 wait and see type remark. There is another discussion forum about this. I am going to go throgh it shortly.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 06:22:40 GMT

Good point. Perhaps we should lower our expectations. As Bob Costas observed, in light of the Balco case, it's probably time to stop idolizing our sports superstars.

RE: Phelps Poll!

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 06:10:34 GMT

I can think of one other Olympian who got in trouble with alcohol after winning a gold medal... the little girl who won figure skating, beat Nancy Carigan. Many youths are not ready to handle success of the kind that comes with winning a gold medal at the Olympics. GEEK, I'm not excusing his actions, just making an observation.