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

He got caught smoking a bong - or taking a bong hit. Not the smartest thing in the world to do given everyone is gunning for him for something. But what's big deal really. He basically put his life on hold the last 4 + years - from 19 - 23 - gee what were you doing from 19 - 23?? Give him some leeway. My guess is that some of this forum' participants may hve seen the bottom of a bigger bong than in the picture. Yes, poor judgement - if only because he is an icon and role model to a lot of us and our kids. Use it as a teaching moment - and when your kids ask you if you ever did it, don't lie about it. At least he owned up to it and was sincere about what it meant, not just to him but the swimming community. His hardest hit will come from his mom - in my world, middle school principals are a tougher crowd than most.

This just goes to show you that some 23 year olds aren't mature yet. His problem was he got caught. And because his contracts have moral clauses in them, the advertisers can do what they want (withdraw). But I'll bet they will give him 3 strikes' limit instead of two. The problem is he is a celebrity and everything he does is under scrutiny; he forgot that and that everyone has a camera everywhere. I understand after having lived in years' long bubble of training with little social interaction, that sometimes people break out way too much. But so many little kids look up to him; he has to realize he has disappointed a lot of his fans; he needs more damage control than what has been given. But hey, look at our Secretary of Treasurer now, and soon to be Health and Human Resources appointment who actually did break the law of finances; they got a pass on paying "very late" their taxes with penalties waived. But it all still sends a terrible message. I doubt the IRS will accept that kind of statement from you or I. I vote to give Michael another opportunity. Besides, marijuana in many states is not illegal; it has actually been decriminalized in lots of states. There is a difference between decriminalizing and legal or not legal. The two guys in the Cabinet really did do something illegal; Michael may not have, but he now faces a huge image problem. Donna

This is good to know cause a few other preachers have been telling us for a year or so now that tech suits are what is wrong with our society. ROFLMAO

sports.espn.go.com/.../story "Omega said it was "strongly committed" to its relationship with Phelps, calling his Beijing accomplishments "among the defining sporting achievements in the history of sport." "The current story in the press involves Michael Phelps' private life and is, as far as Omega is concerned, a nonissue," the company said" An interesting side column that echoes what many of you feel: sports.espn.go.com/.../story "This is a perfect opportunity to teach kids that people put on pedestals sometimes fall off. That heroes have foibles. That foibles are understandable, even if they're not laudable. And that role models are best chosen from those you know well, as opposed to those you only know through a TV screen or a book or a carefully glossed corporate image." I couldnt agree more...

Not really, you like soccer and porn, which is stranger than waffles and fried chicken and not nearly as good. Gotcha. 1. Waffles and fried chicken -- emblems of black culture -- are not American to you. "Strange". Wow. 2. Porn un-American? You sure 'bout that? 3. Soccer is ingrained in the US psyche as a participant sport, but that is somehow un-American. Were you up in arms when "soccer moms" were made a critical part of political campaigns in the US for the greater part of a decade? Dude. Put down the bong pipe, chill out for a few hours. Ride out the high. And when you come back down, feel free to join us on planet earth. You are sharply disconnected from reality. I put you right up there with D2 in your knowledge on swimming as well. This from the doofus who thought that I was an engineering prof at UC Berkeley. Tell me... how many engineering departments offer courses that incorporate ethno-musicology? I'll put my top 10 times in a brutal age group up against yours any day of the week. If you want to talk swimming smack, you seriously better have multiple top 3 FINA times. I dare you to post your times and rankings.

My post was one sentence. And you and geek are going on and on about your/my America, which is completely irrelevant to this conversation. Blah blah blah.

If he's not a role model or being pushed as one, then let's see him tear up the "kiddie targetted" promo contracts... I don't want my kids to role model after athletes or rockstars but sometimes they do. Or the crush on the worst kid in school and act out like them. What he did is stupid. To get caught on camera--doubly so. It like torturing terrorists and snapping photos...if you're going to do it...don't make the evidence for the prosecution.

En mi America, hijo mio, nos reimos de pendejos. En mi America, hijo mio, la gente tiene pendejos en "ignore". Por lo visto, es igual en vuestra America. Que? No se apoyo la peurta! You should write your congressman to complain about how porn stars are faking their orgasms. I mean... they're making money off of lies! *GASP* But not you, apparently. You knowledge of drugs and porn seems oddly out of balance with your knowledge of spelling. *OH NOES!* Knowledge of porn? You're projecting. Whoa whoa whoa...you posted on porn stars faking orgasms...how do you know? It's either you're an authority on Porn...or faking orgasms...so which is it? :blah::blah: Meh! My America!

Are you serious?!?! I guess we can add outrageous braggart to your list of character flaws. Maybe you need to pick up the bong pipe ... Yeah Carlos...wanna compare GPA's and IQ levels too? Hey I bet my Dad is bigger than yours! ----------- Seriously Carlos...your rantings draw out the cliquish yukster in people... I bet I am faster than you would have been after a 25 year layoff! :D

I don't hold myself and sport's figures to different standards, not in MY America anyway (that's for you Stud). I wonder if the quote by the great Charles Barkley would be good for this situation? "I am not a role model"- Charles Barkley