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EDHS Contemporary World Affairs -> Discussion Topics, Week B -> Michael phelps drug use is a shame- but adults defending his pot smoking are shameful
Post Info TOPIC: Michael phelps drug use is a shame- but adults defending his pot smoking are shameful
moniCA92870


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Michael phelps drug use is a shame- but adults defending his pot smoking are shameful
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from: www.usnews.com

I just stopped by the gym, where the photos of Olympic gold-medal swimmer Michael Phelps smoking pot were all over the wall of televisions. It was the talk of the treadmillers. Yesterday, I was at a gathering of mothers of middle- and high-school-age kids. It was the talk of the moms, too. "Can you believe that?" they all said, shaking their heads and talking about their teenage Phelps Phans. How could he have been so stupid?

Today's Washington Post has a column by Sally Jenkinsjust below a news story on the front page of the sports section with this headline: "Clemens's DNA Is Linked to Syringes / Attorney says tests 'won't matter at all.' " That article details the scientific tests that link baseball great Roger Clemens's DNA to blood found in syringes his trainer says he used to inject drugs into Clemens. His lawyer was dismissive of the whole thing.

Anyway, Jenkins's column is equally dismissive of the Phelps photos. Full of snarky references to drug slang and wink-wink asides denying that she has ever smoked pot herself, Jenkins goes on to rationalize Phelps's drug use. Her excuses for him range from "He merely got caught doing what scores of people did every weekend in college" to "It's better than drinking and driving" and even "It's organic!" She points out that "fortunately" he won't face official sanctions because while the "draconian" World Anti-Doping Agency enforces bans on over-the-counter medications in season, it does nothing about "out-of-competition recreational drug use"or illegal drug use, as the rest of us call it.

She belittles those who insist their sports heroes be "superhuman ideals" and says it's "absurd" to expect Phelps to be a role model. "All he did was behave in an unmeasured and uncalculated way and suffer the bad luck to be photographed doing it," she writes.

What planet is she on?

Does she not realize how many middle- and high-school kids look up to Michael Phelps? That he's on the front of Wheaties boxes right now? That we all warn our kids about the dangers of drug use? Most parents find that photo sad and disappointing and will use it as a Teachable Moment for teenagers. What Michael Phelps did was a shame, but adults' defendingand even encouraginghis drug use are far more shameful. 

Is there any reason to defend Michael Phelps? 



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monica vellanoweth v(o_o)v 
"First you take the grahm.  You put the chocolate on the grahm. Then you roast a mallow.  When the mallows' flammin', you stick it on the chocolate.  Then you top with the other side."
- Ham: Sandlot
lookitspeter


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Micheal Phelps should definitely be ashamed for what he has done but I'm not quite sure if we should be so quick to condemn him. According to national and federal surveys, almost 50% of Americans have tried weed and it is especially popular from ages 18-25 (Phelps is 23). I understand that he is a role model to young children but we should also remember that he is only 23. I think if all the parents going crazy over this incident would remember when they were in college they would be a little more understanding. He messed up and this is the second time since his DUI in '04 but he is only human (at least out of water).

Also, Doug Strickland, the head of the Richland County Public Defender's office, said that in his 21 years as a public defender, he could not recall a single case where someone was criminally charged with drug possession based on photographic evidence and an admission of non-specific wrongdoing. (From the Huffington Post).  No we shouldn't simply let him off the hook because he's young and I hope he is not expecting to use his youth as an excuse but really he is only 23.

You have to prove that he posessed it and a photo is not enough and yet Phelps has already admitted to his crime. Rather than trying to cover it up, he has taken responsibility for his actions and apologized to the public. He seems willing to take responsibility for his actions and if this will result in an asterisk being placed next his name in the Hall of Fame then I believe he will have learned his lesson. Go Phelps.

-- Edited by lookitspeter at 21:40, 2009-02-05

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ericaedgley


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First of all, people shouldnt be giving this guy a hard time. I know he is famous, and alot of people look up to him. But honestly..think about how many people (young AND old) smoke pot. I'm not saying he shouldn't be ashamed of himself, but he is young and is going to do dumb things. He is a pro swimmer and shouldnt be smoking in the first place..but that is his choice. Think about how many people a day get arrested or caught smoking pot. It's ridiculous! We shouldn't be giving Michael Phelps a hard time just because he is famous!

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coco captian bpurn


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i think they're is tons of reason to defend micheal phelps. if you think about it, a ton of people smoke pot, or are going to try it every now and then. just becasue he is famous doesnt mean we can hound him once he does something wrong, yes it is illegal, but still. it doesnt mean he can go around doing this all the time, but like once, lets give him a break.

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beepurn :]
[(JordanA.)]


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I dont think that this picture says very much. Who knows if he was just trying pot out? I dont think we should be worried if he was just trying it out. I do think it should become a problem if he goes into competitions while under the effects of durgs, then the media might have a intresting story.

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Lindsey.Breeding.


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I dont think that anyone should defend Michael Phelps because he did decide to smoke and he got caught. Maybe this will make him think before he does anything like that again.



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Lindsey

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The only mistake Michael made was getting caught. I don't agree with legalizing pot but if anyone deserves to just sit around on a couch it's him. I wouldn't work as hard as he did for.... well almost anything except maybe someones life not just some frigging prizes.

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Kody Disbrow


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i really dont think this is a very big deal and should not been in the news. i mean there are so many people that smoke pot the only reason he is getting some much crap for it is because he got cought and is an olympic gold medalist. come on leave the guys private life alone.

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alecralph


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i dont think anyone should care about this like everyone said lots of people do it and who cares? No one else is in the news when they get caught its just ecause hes this famous swimmer that they're making a big deal of it

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xn1coleex


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michael phelps....the famous american swimmer, a guy who recieved tons of endorsements and money..& the only person who won 8 gold metals. in general that what people know him as...
i agree..michael phelps, shouldn't be getting a hard
time for this.
everyone isn't perfect, we all make mistakes.
i feel like the public is going a little overboard with
this whole stituation. JUST BECAUSE HE's FAMOUS!
so WHAT? he made a mistake, just move on...
he's already apologized to his fans and public...
regular everyday citizens do drugs.
we don't do a whole media coverage on them..

haha, its so funny how people are so interested
in celebrities lives. they're in love with them
at one point and next thing you know, they're not.

-_______-



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nicole pak :)
jacobcorbin


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Honestly, he shouldnt be backed up. Everyone else who gets caught smoking pot doesnt get a break, so why should he? If the average high schooler gets caught with it on them or in their system, typically they have to go through MA, drug tests weekly and it goes on our records, which makes your chances of getting a job more difficult. I mean, i like the guy but if people like us get these kind of punishments, he should get some sort of punishment.

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saraheckberg


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I don't think there is reason to defend him. He chose to put himself in the spotlight by going to the Olympics. He should know by now that everything he does is going to be reported and covered by every major news station. He's 23. He should know better. 12 year-olds know better.

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Bonemail-(Christophe K)


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saraheckberg wrote:
He should know better. 12 year-olds know better.

You would be suprised how dumb our generation can be.



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It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds. 
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CharlieBurling


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How else is he supposed to eat 15,000 calories a day? It's shameful that it's still illegal.

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mannyg


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i honestly do not care what michael phelps does. what does it matter if he smokes ? hes doing it at a virtually private event, not endangering anybody else. if he does that what i dont understand what the problem is. no matter what surverys may reveal or what you may think, a huge amount of Americans smoke weed on a regular basis. as for being a role model - i think that is unfair. he shouldnt be forced to change his lifestyle just because he is in the public eye. as long as he does his job (swim) succesfully , which he obviously does - it shouldnt matter what he does in his private life.

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KW00D


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I understand how the world is disappointed in Michael Phelps, but then again, how many other very famous figures have gotten 'off the hook' for doing illegal activities? It's not fair for him to be the victim of a double standard.

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Karen Lozano :]
Vanessabug


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i think that he can ultimately do what he wants. There are so many people that do smoke pot that are not constantly in the public eye. unfortunately for Phelps he has millions of people looking after his behavior and criticising every move.

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