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

OK I just lost even more respect for him. WAH wAH WAH Jeez, you f'ed up. Take it like a man. Its a symbollic punishment that's all. Quit acting like an indulged, celebutard! You did not lose any respect for him! He made an off-the-cuff comment to the Baltimore Sun because he's right in the middle of his self-created sh*t storm. It will quiet down soon, he'll get back into his training routine, and by the time May rolls around he'll be thrashing people in the pool again. There's no way he skips 2012. And here in the U.S. we spell symbolic with one L and not two! Jeez, for someone with the gift of the queen's english, you sure can't spell. Why don't you take your boy Beckham back to Europe for some man love!:bighug:

OK, if this is true, I just lost even more respect for him. WAH wAH WAH Jeez, you f'ed up. Take it like a man. Its a symbollic punishment that's all. Quit acting like an indulged, celebutard! I'm glad someone else had the same reaction to this! What a passive-aggressive, dorky thing to say. As my husband said, "You aren't playing like I want! I'm going to take my ball and go home..." I am not that upset about the bong thing. I think it shows his immaturity and lack of common sense. But this posturing like he may punish us all by not swimming in 2012 is just digging the "immaturity hole" deeper. THINK before you speak, Michael!!!

With greatest respect to Sanders and Hall they didn't do what Phelps did....8 olympic gold medals and upsurge in participation. So, he could have taken all the bong hits he wanted, just not after 14 gold medals. One gold medal, bongs hits galore, and no public uproar and no USA Swimming suspension. TMZ said that Frosted Flakes is the cereal for potheads so why is Kelloggs dissing their customers by dropping Phelps. Potheads should totally boycott Kelloggs products. I guess that there was reason that he went with Kelloggs over Wheaties besides wades of cash. Well, at least, Baltimore is getting some economic stimulus with the paparazzi flocking to Baltimore to follow Phelps to and from practice.

Per AP, "The company did not renew its deal with the US Olympic Team, which expired in December." I rather expect there is more to Kellogg's action than meets the eye; i.e., MP's "disappointing and regrettable behavior" may have given Kellogg's the reason they were looking for. And it could move a lot of cereal boxes off the shelves in the next 3 weeks. Celebrity endorsements and team support are probably easily shed from the budget in crunch times. And M. Phelps as a face is stale and overexposed. When they need him they'll be back. Land of Second Chances. :)

Granted he is already rich enough to most likely last a lifetime, but Phelps is taking some big hits anyhow. The competition suspension most likely will not be a major deal, but it's not like he tested positive in a drug test during competition. I'm not certain, but is this how USA Swimming deals with all their team members in a case like this? The Kellogg cereal sponsorship deal loss is tough, but it's unlikely he would have gotten much additional $ now that the Olympics are over and 6 months done.

To inject a serious thought: in this discussion, terms like 'role models' and 'hero' have been used variously. While I am a total swimming fan and naturally wowed by Phelp's feats, along with the attendant dedication necessary to achieve them, I think it would be much healthier to choose our heroes, not automatically from celebrity/sports figures but from within those ranks of people who transcend fear, danger, disease etc., to either save lives or achieve great social good. They are out there. How bout Captain Sully Sullenberger and his crew for example? Some say he and his crew were just doing thier jobs and hence they aren't really heroes....but I (and many others I am sure) would say that his actions were most definitely of the heroic variety....but who the heck am I anyway! ....But back to Phelps so that I don't get accused of thread hijacking or anything.....Hmmm....not much left to say about that really.....I think he will compete in the 2012 Olympics and that his comments to the Baltimore newspaper were just typical venting remarks.....And remember folks....No matter what time it is, its always 4:20 somewhere in the world!

Maybe this is far-fetched and too conspiracy oriented but part of me wonders if some of this could have elements of "don't look under the covers." First, he was "dropped" by Kelloggs but they were gonna let him go anyway after his contract. This looks like a penalty to him, but is it really? Could have been more mutual than we know. Kelloggs looks good and Phelps takes a coporate hit but it is meaningless to both. Second, he gets suspended during a completely meaningless time frame. This makes USA Swimming look tough, drives the anti-drug point home, Phelps takes a very public censure but ultimately there is no harm to him or USA Swimming. In fact, it could possibly serve to rehabilitate his image and gets USA Swimming in the news. Win-win to me. Probably too much thinking on this and She Puffy would tell me it violates her axiom but it did come to mind.

Classic Hero's Journey stuff: 1.) Miraculous conception and birth -- he was genetically gifted with ideal swimmer proportions. Ok, so this part may be a stretch... bear with me. 2.) Initiation of the Hero Child -- went to the Olympics at 15 in the 200 fly. 3.) Withdrawl from the world for meditation and preparation -- his practice regimen 4.) Trial and Quest -- 8 years to Beijing, 8 golds. Some miraculous finishes to get there (Lezak's otherworldly 100 free swim, the Jordanesque move on the 100 fly finish). 5.) Death -- Out partying like it was 1969. 6.) Descent into the otherworld -- the pictures come out, the fall from grace, the sanctions 7.) Resurrection and rebirth -- TBD 8.) Ascension, apotheosis, and atonement -- TBD If 8 years of college taught me anything, it's what template to use :). We'll see if the script bears out.

Michael said he may not swim in the 2012 Olympics due to the extreme public scrutiny he's been put under.:badday: OK, if this is true, I just lost even more respect for him. WAH wAH WAH Jeez, you f'ed up. Take it like a man. Its a symbollic punishment that's all. Quit acting like an indulged, celebutard!

Why don't you take your boy Beckham back to Europe for some man love!:bighug: Carlos will be heartbroken to find that the biggest prize signing for MLS has decided he can still play at a higher level and wants to do so...I feel bad for the fans that paid for him to come.