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

who cares? the morality police are out in force, but.... a victimless crime is nothing to get upset about. the apology is of course insincere...... duh...... but he was forced to apologize. if you don't want your kids to emulate his behavior, teach them to think for themselves and don't encourage "idol worship".

I really can't stand this argument. It doesn't matter what it is because it is illegal and against the law, like it or not. Was Phelps making some grand legalize marijuana statement by taking bong hits? No, he was getting high. The problem is that this is now the second time we are wading through the "young and stupid mistakes" speeches from his camp. In addition, Phelps has gone out of his way to create this wholesome image and has parlayed that into a number of fat paychecks. If it turns out to be true that his agency tried to have the pictures suppressed (by paying for them or whatnot), then his big mea culpa is really quite insincere. Well, at least he was not busted using the Whizzinator. I realize smoking weed isn't the worst thing ever. But, Phelps has become another in a long line of pro athletes who have done drugs. And, to date, I've yet to see any claim they were trying to make a political statement by getting busted smoking grass. Have you ever gotten in your car and went over the speed limit? Thats breaking the law, too. Nobody here is perfect, stop putting Phelps up as a god who will never make a mistake. Besides, speeding has a lot better chance of hurting someone else than smoking weed.

the morality police are out in force, but.... a victimless crime is nothing to get upset about. the apology is of course insincere...... duh...... but he was forced to apologize. if you don't want your kids to emulate his behavior, teach them to think for themselves and don't encourage "idol worship". This isn't a morality issue. His self-professed goal was to promote the sport of swimming. He willingly embraced the idea of being a role model.

I like how a lot of people are saying "he's only 23, he's still a kid making immature mistakes". Huh, last time I checked you started going to jail for ADULT crimes at age 18. Sorry, but at 23 you're an adult, not a kid. IMO, it's not really a big deal. He is obviously not the brightest crayon in the box for doing what he did in a social setting, especially with his notoriety. But he's not honorable for apologizing AFTER he got caught, even more so if you read what his agency offered the owners of the photo if they would agree to bury it. What does he deserve? All the public shaming is punishment enough.

The best you can come up with as an excuse for his behavior is that he isn't pulling guns in nightclubs? Plaxico Burress is only human too, after all. I dont judge Plaxico. He's human and made a mistake, too. As someone earlier said, let those without sin cast the first stone. Ive made plenty of mistakes, the only difference is they werent whored out so everybody else knew. And I dont care if he's a role model, he is still only human and unless your Christ, nobody will be perfect. Phelps isnt Christ, stop crucifying him. I sincerly hope for some of the people on this board that your kids never make a mistake. Reading some of your reactions, you forget about life when your young and dumb. I dont condone anything Phelps has done. He's an idiot for being so careless.

Have you been smoking the weed as well, er, excuse me, the tobacco water pipe? I don't believe anyone has said he's a god or hold him to god standards. I think many of us are merely holding him to the same standards we'd hold our kids or other citizens to. In addition, please remember Phelps has/is banking literally on his wholesome image. Do you not recall he was one of the enhanced drug testing pilot program participants at the Olympics? I think it is very telling that many of those who are chiming in on the "it's just pot" mantra don't have kids and haven't had to explain this to impressionable youngsters in the past day. You probably also aren't aware that he had been all over Splash magazine the past year, which the swimmer kids really seem to like. How in the world can any sane person say this doesn't hurt anyone? The message he is sending is loud and clear. All the Phelp's apologists are now saying the same thing they said after the DWI. At least you are consistent. Yes, he is banking on the wholesome image. And for the most part he is. He obviously made a mistake and should have thought a helluva better thought process in his public actions. And he should be held up to the same standards as everybody else, but do you treat everyone this harshly that made a dumb mistake. How do you know I dont have kids or didnt have to explain it to kids. I dont in fact have kids, but I had to tell my cousin who loves him what was up. I told him that though Phelps is an incredible athlete, he is human and will make mistakes. I told him that he (my cousin) should never make the mistakes Phelps has made. Look up to his swimming accomplishments and work ethic, but to make better decisions. Like I said, i've made a ton of mistakes in my 25 years and am thankful for a loving, forgiving bunch of family and friends who still stand behing me. I dont live in a black and white world, and im not naive enough to think that professional athletes wont screw up and make mistakes just like the rest of us. And I wasnt a Phelps apologist in 04 when he drove drunk. I had a good friend die in an accident with a drunk driver. I was livid, however, I also understand that he again is human and that many people have driven drunk. Does it make it right? Hell no, but everybody should be held to the same standards. Our elected officials who are supposed to lead us, do a helluva lot worse and people over look it everyday. Why the double standard?

Wow, thanks for the sermon from the mount. I don't think anyone is crucifying him. I think the general tone has been one of disappointment, and utter stupidity. But, you hang onto the God theme a while longer. You'RE only human, after all. I will tell you that I would not consider this a "mistake" if my kids made it. But, then again, Phelps isn't a kid, he's an adult, right? Maybe I should have said the crucifying part. But the comments about being banned and all that jazz is a bit over the top. Had he been in competition then, yeah, because that is the rules. He wasnt though and he should feel bad because he was wrong, but he shouldnt be treated any different than any other 23 year old. Yeah, he is an adult, he isnt a kid. But people tell me all the time as a 25 year old that im a kid and dont have as much wisdom and older adults. And thats true. Because hes and adult now, is he done with making mistakes? Have you made a mistake in your adult life?

whatever pass the brownies.

Scary post. I'm not going to tell my kids "he's human and make mistakes." I'm going to tell them he's a flaming idiot with no judgment and they could wreck their own lives getting caught smoking pot. I don't encourage any hero worship of athletes, but it's natural for kids to do it themselves. Driving drunk is not "human" and way way more idiotic, reckless and awful than smoking pot. I agree with most of it. But flaming idiot or not, its still a mistake. And yeah, he could wreck his whole life because of a dumb mistake. I dont condone his activity, I just dont think he should be held to a different standard than other people. Athlete hero worship is whats wrong with our society. I think Phelps is a great athlete, but he not a hero because he can swim fast. Driving drunk is human, because its one of the dumbest mistakes anybody can make and humans are dumb. And I agree its more reckless and awful than smoking pot, that was my point in my first point when I said he could have done worse. That sounds apologetic, but it in no way isnt. He made a mistake, BUT there are worse mistakes to be made in life.

Can we agree that smoking the pot - or, clearing a few chambers, in the parlance of our times - is a lot less dangerous to Michael and others than his driving drunk? I'll second that! Although the industry that supports most people's smoking habits is probably close to as dangerous as drunk driving.