12 years ago
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Liberal?
Okay, so I have not kept up with every detail of Michael Phelp's issue of smoking marijuana, but I am definitely interested in how he has been treated. I have read a few news articles and then some of the comments that readers have written and it has really peaked my interest in how my friends and family feel/think about the subject. I am not sure if I agree with some of the readers who think that he shouldn't be punished at all, but I am also not sure that I think he should have been suspended for 3 months either. I do think he was right to admit that he was smoking it, even though the picture doesn't actually prove it (no smoke, and apparently some other things). He was honest, in my book that is a point for him. He also was apologetic, which I realize most people are when they get caught, but he does seem to be sincere. He has taken his loss of sponsorship from Kelloggs and he punishment from USA swimming seriously and respectfully. I just wonder why we accept alcohol and tobacco as okay but not marijauna. And just for the record...I do not condone either...I myself have never smoked, had any amout of alcohol or anything like unto it so don't think for a second that I am okay with any of this. I am just simply interested in why we as society deem smoking tobacco in the privacy of our own homes okay and not pot? What are your thoughts? I am just curious if I am thinking a little more liberal than some or maybe most?
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8 comments:
We were discussing this very thing at family game night last night. I personally feel that smoking weed is less harmful than drinking alcohol and I think it's silly that it's illegal at all. But that's an entirely different subject.
As for Michael Phelps, i think he was SO dumb to smoke pot at a party where photos were being taken. Poor judgment on his part. I think that as a spokesman and Olympic athlete, he is a role model to young children and doing something illegal, no matter how you personally feel about it, is not behavior a public person should be engaging in (especially in public!).
Does this make sense? - I say whatever he does in the comfort of his home, as long as he is not harming anyone, is his business. But the second he steps out of his home, he is a public figure and he should engage in activities that correlate with the image he is being paid to project.
And now I will stop rambling! :)
I'm like you Teresa and I think it's really an interesting topic. I don't see why pot is too much worse than other things. In high school, I remember them painting a negative picture about pot being a "gateway drug" which leads to other things. But, as members, we know that alcohol and tobacco can also be deemed "gateway drugs" themselves.
The way I feel with Michael Phelps is that he should be punished according to whatever rule or policy there happens to be - no more and no less. That is the law of consequence. HOWEVER, I personally find this story interesting because it proves, time and again, that no one has the market cornered on perfection. NO ONE IS PERFECT. In our culture, we put people on pedestals - very tall ones - and look up at them and say, "Wow. That is perfection." Then, when they fall from grace, we like to look at them, cover our mouths, and discuss what a shame it is. Everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes.
I'd also like to comment on the idea of someone being sorry for what they'd done versus being sorry because they were caught. In the scriptures, we're taught that some are "compelled" to be humble, while others choose humility. We're taught that it is so much better to just be humble. I think this same principle applies to mistakes. It is better to not make the mistake, granted. But, when a mistake is made, sometimes, we need to be prompted into seeing it for what it is and be prompted into repentance. That's why I do think it's possible to be sorry, truly sorry, even though you were caught red-handed. The Lord has his ways of getting the repentance process started. Kudos to Phelps for realizing that and admitting wrong-doing (one of the first steps!).
I too have thought about this. I am disappointed in Michael Phelps. He is a huge inspiration and role model for kids and anyone who desires to excel in sports. Whether or not pot is not as harmful or whatnot, it's illegal. He was pulled over several years ago for a DUI. Obviously he didn't learn his lesson. I think that if a company chooses to sponsor an athlete he/she is expected to uphold the image that company is trying to portray. If Kellog does not agree with his actions then they have every right to yank their sponsorship. Personally I think he got off light with only 3 months suspension. I don't know much about swimming competitions but I doubt he'll miss much if anything during these three months. Hopefully this time he will have learned his lesson for good and not get caught if he chooses to participate in these type of activities.
wow everyone had a lot to say! The only thing I was going to comment on was that yes I was dissappointed in Phelps, but I realized that he is afterall human. And that we all mistakes, and when we do, there seems to be consequences that follow, whether it be right away or later on. I feel bad for him, that he chose a bad choice and because he did, it's dominoed into something that maybe/or maybe not that he was planning on dealing with. I couldn't help but wonder what his mom thought about it all. I mean having kids, it's never easy, and they make their choices, but to see how proud of her son she was at the Olympics, and then to see her son have to deal with the consequences of a wrong decision...I was just curious, I guess.
Sarah- I am totaly interested in what his mother/family thought, too. Very interesting point!?!
Here is my 2 cents. Yes I think he was wrong for doing it especially if they are taking pictures. These days nothing is private so for someone with any amount fame to do something like that and have pictures taken, they just have to know better. I do not agree with any of that behavior but people make their own choices and they have to be willing to deal with what comes when they make a choice. My problem with the whole thing is that there is no standard to which anyone is held. The media who is the whole reason these types of things become so public, picks and chooses who they want to completely slaughter and who they will say just didn't know any better and they said they were sorry. Michael Jordan had an affair while married which was publicized and I don't remember him losing any sponsors. Or all the other athletes who make going to clubs and partying til all hours while consuming massive amounts of alcohol and drugs seem like normal behavior. Pretty sure sponsors and athletic associations are all still in place for them. If there is going to be a line, then draw it and don't pick and choose what and who crosses it and the consequenses that follow. Sorry I am ranting but the media has me all wound up this week.
Don't worry T, you are not liberal. Legalizing cannabis is also a libertarian idea.
Missing family today so just stopping by to say hello. I love your blog and the pics!
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