Michael Phelps and a bong? Is there any truth to this?

The stand taken in the below commentary is pretty convincing - I agree with it: www.washingtonpost.com/.../AR2009020303468.html +1

www.usms.org/.../toptenind.php I'll call you on your nonsense bragging, Carlos. How do these add up to numerous fina top 3 rankings? I'm a little late in reading this thread, but Hoo-Ray for Fortress for her investigative abilities. Carlos? Comments? Donna

Fort - can you please clarify if you are speaking about YOUR American Idol or MY American Idol so that I can reply appropriately. Thank you.

Maybe Phelps is a Libertarian. Or a Rastafarian? -LBJ

The only thing that tips the scales for me is his huge financial reward for his efforts. It is the life he chose but maybe didn't fully consider the ramifications of celebrity (his dating of strippers in Vegas being one ramification he apparently can live with). I try to be good, pure, placid and obedient in public but tend to come unglued myself when a tank-top fanny pack wearing person strolls by, as you know. No one appears to ever consider the ramifications of celebrity. They always whine and b*tch about it, usually while simultaneously waving at the paparazzi. I find it tiresome, and think it also shows a lack of accountability. As for coming unglued, what has happened to the "family" show American Idol? It has become the worst tawdy dreck out there with dramatic sobbing, incessant breakdowns, hysteria, childish churlishness. Is there any music in it lately? Talk about bad role models for your young kids ...

The stand taken in the below commentary is pretty convincing - I agree with it: www.washingtonpost.com/.../AR2009020303468.html

I know Lance had to be blazing it up with Matthew McConaughey - that dude is a pot head if I have ever seen one (and not just because of Dazed and Confused). Michael Phelps needs to learn how not to get caught.

Egads, a Bork sighting...could cosmic annihilation be around the corner? Hey Karen, we have the same freedom of speech in Canada, cue our anthem. Has anyone else noticed that this thread has taken on a spiraling, downward motion- much as in a flushing toilet? I can't help wondering if thousands of recreational tri's are frantically toking up, figuring that they have at last discovered the secret to swimming fast without swimming intervals... ...or maybe it could be the answer to not developing an elite-level VO2 max and allowing the most remarkable late bloomer to dominate all?

Can Jim currently be using the bong if he actually remembered his password? Probably has auto password saver. Like me. Heck of a lot easier. Then you don't have to remember where you hid the dang thing.

I dunno about this. It sounds appealing, but the life of a Phelpsian squid swimmer seems abnormally stressful and insular, a life of extremes. Or even if us workoutaholics like this aspect of the lifestyle, can you imagine having to be good, pure, placid and obedient in public all the time? I could never manage that and that's what the corporate sponsors want. And his public apology ... he behaved "not in the manner people have come to expect from me" ... I wouldn't want any part of behaving precisely as others deem fit or being on a leash. This is a good counter-point. From my perspective he is living the dream, man. But, I am sure from his perspective there are many positives to the anonymity of my collegiate years experiences (eating Ramen noodles immediately comes to mind). The only thing that tips the scales for me is his huge financial reward for his efforts. It is the life he chose but maybe didn't fully consider the ramifications of celebrity (his dating of strippers in Vegas being one ramification he apparently can live with). I think Lance Armstrong did go wild and that must have culminated when he dated one of the Olson twins, which strikes me as infinitely more stupid than hittin' the hookah. I try to be good, pure, placid and obedient in public but tend to come unglued myself when a tank-top fanny pack wearing person strolls by, as you know.