I'll never understand these athletes (or other personality types) who have everything going their way and they mess up by using drugs.
.
I believe he also has a past DUI?
This makes me wonder if Rosetta Stone has a Cheech & Chong program.
Phelps could face criminal charge over pot flap (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28996704/)
South Carolina county officials are investigating alleged marijuana incident
COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina authorities in the county where Michael Phelps was spotted smoking from a marijuana pipe say they are considering a criminal charge against the Olympic superstar.
Lt. Chris Cowan said Tuesday that Richland County sheriff’s investigators are gathering more information about the photo, which showed the swimmer inhaling from a marijuana pipe.
Cowan did not specify what charge was being considered and declined to discuss details of the investigation.
The photograph was first shown in a British tabloid Sunday. News of the World said the picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina.
Code Section 44-53-110
Possession Misdemeanor: up to 6 mos. and/or $1000; Subsequent offense: misdemeanor, 1 yr. and/or $2000 Under 1 oz.: 30 days and/or $100 to $200; Over 1 oz.: Prima facie guilty of sale; Subsequent offense under 1 oz.: 1 yr. and/or $200 to $1000
Sale Felony: up to 5 yrs. and/or $5,000; Subsequent offense: felony, up to 10 yrs. and/or $10,000; Third offense: felony, 5-20 yrs. and/or $20,000; Sale to minor: misdemeanor, up to 10 yrs. and $10,000
Trafficking 10-100 lbs.: 1-10 yrs. and $10,000; 2nd offense: 5-20 yrs and $15,000; Subsequent offense: mandatory 25 yrs. and $25,000; 100-2000 lbs. or 100-1000 plants: mandatory 25 yrs. and $25,000; 2000-10,000 lbs. or 1000-10,000 plants: mandatory 25 yrs. and $50,000; Over 10,000 lbs. or over 10,000 plants: 25-30 yrs. and $200,000
Is it possible that he is still under probation for the DUI? Punishment for that might require a little less proof than another criminal charge. I dunno.
I wouldn't think he would be on probation longer than 3 yrs for the DUI.
Sounds like some sheriff's dept in SC wants their name in the paper.....for being "strong on drug abuse"....
I didn't realize it was 3 years old, so it probably wouldn't matter. If they can get him for a picture like this then Hollyweird should clean up their act. I have heard of kids being busted for pics put on myspace and youtube videos showing illegal acts.
News said he was 19 and he's 23 now.
I heard Shep Smith do a mini rant on why cops don't go after celebrities that have been photographed or have admitted to doing drugs.
I heard him do his mini rant too.....and he's right.
Just saw a commercial for Katie Couric's pre Grammie show interviewing some black kid and she says to him" I hear you like your weed"....and he says something like I Love ma weed....and she giggled.....
You know, I am sick to death of this 'oh, he's young, they all do it, no biggie, it's not murder' mentality. It's utter crap. Not every single young person sits around with their face buried in a bong. I certainly didn't do that crap and neither did my sister.
Millions of teenagers smoking pot doesn't make it right and it doesn't make it harmless. There's something seriously wrong with this country if this kind of behavior is seen as harmless teenage folly.
You know, I am sick to death of this 'oh, he's young, they all do it, no biggie, it's not murder' mentality. It's utter crap. Not every single young person sits around with their face buried in a bong. I certainly didn't do that crap and neither did my sister.
Millions of teenagers smoking pot doesn't make it right and it doesn't make it harmless. There's something seriously wrong with this country if this kind of behavior is seen as harmless teenage folly.
Speaking for myself, I never said he shouldn't take his lumps. By all means, there are consequences for exhibited behaviors.
But crucifying the kid for this kind of thing isn't the answer either.
Hit him with a misdemeanor and a $1K fine.
End of story. Move on, the show's over.
Don't like that? Think the fine should be more?
The law in SC says up to 6 months and/or a $1K fine. No way is Phelps going to serve time. Nuh uh. So he'll pay the fine and have a misdemeanor on his record.
Like I said before, BFD.
Now, how about something NEWSWORTHY? Like Tom Daschle failing to pay in excess of $100K in taxes, for example.
Seems like all Daschle has to do is pony up the taxes he never paid and goes scot-free. Where's the justice now? A former senator, indeed, a former majority leader, behaving like a street thug.
How's THAT for an example for young people?
Phelps has a LONG way to go before he approximates the rape that Daschle has done on his name, his party, his state, and his nation.
Can you even be fined for smoking pot? Or do you have to be caught with it in your possession, in your blood when driving or caught with parafinalia?
Speaking for myself, I never said he shouldn't take his lumps. By all means, there are consequences for exhibited behaviors.
But crucifying the kid for this kind of thing isn't the answer either.
Hit him with a misdemeanor and a $1K fine.
End of story. Move on, the show's over.
Don't like that? Think the fine should be more?
The law in SC says up to 6 months and/or a $1K fine. No way is Phelps going to serve time. Nuh uh. So he'll pay the fine and have a misdemeanor on his record.
Like I said before, BFD.
Now, how about something NEWSWORTHY? Like Tom Daschle failing to pay in excess of $100K in taxes, for example.
Seems like all Daschle has to do is pony up the taxes he never paid and goes scot-free. Where's the justice now? A former senator, indeed, a former majority leader, behaving like a street thug.
How's THAT for an example for young people?
Phelps has a LONG way to go before he approximates the rape that Daschle has done on his name, his party, his state, and his nation.
No, I don't really care what happens to Phelps, okay? I was talking about the attitude towards drugs in general. Some people think pot is no big deal, I disagree. I don't care about any of that other shit.
And it's just so funny that this was worth a bitchslap? So which one of you is totally and utterly incapable of handling different opinions?
Somehow I knew that was going to happen...it happens a lot around here. :-)
No, I don't really care what happens to Phelps, okay? I don't care if he's a role model or not, and I don't care if he gets off with just paying a fine or going to jail or whatever it doesn't ****ing matter to me, as it's inconsequential to anything and everything at large. I was talking about the attitude towards drugs in general. Some people think pot is no big deal, I disagree. BIG ****ING DEAL.
No, I don't really care what happens to Phelps, okay? I don't care if he's a role model or not, and I don't care if he gets off with just paying a fine or going to jail or whatever it doesn't ****ing matter to me, as it's inconsequential to anything and everything at large. I was talking about the attitude towards drugs in general. Some people think pot is no big deal, I disagree. BIG ****ING DEAL.
And it's just so funny that this was worth a bitchslap? So which one of you is totally and utterly incapable of handling different opinions? Let's see how many I can accumulate in one hour...
Suspended for three months. In the middle of winter.
m'kay.
I think they swim in indoor pools.
There were links to other articles as well, like maybe no more olympics and being arrested by the sherrif.
I doubt they'll arrest him. It would be very bad publicity for the sherrif's department. I imagine they put their statement out to scare Phelps. Hopefully he will learn a lesson from this and avoid that garbage. Given the Olympic Committee's penchant for cold hard cash, I doubt they would punish a celebrity like Phelps with more than a slap on the wrist. Ditto for his sponsors.
What sucks is him being a role model and all to kids and maybe potential Olympic athletes. Now if he was just some regular guy, who cares if he kills his braincells by smoking the Hippy Lettuce?
Also this... stolen from V the K (http://kurlander.blogspot.com/)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kKpJRdXfZuA/SYeJ04zWFoI/AAAAAAAAFzs/RFVgcN-72LM/s400/Phelps+sample+BOX+copy.jpg)
And in other news today, Michael Phelps just set another world record, this time in the 420.
And in other news today, Michael Phelps just set another world record, this time in the 420.
Right?! lol I'm surprised people are still talking about this. :overreaction: if you ask me ;) Not like the guy's mainlining heroin or slapping his girlfriend around. I also find it hard to believe that people who are all in a bunch over it have never smoked pot, been around someone who has smoked pot, or directly knows someone who has smoked or plans to smoke in the future. lol :p
I have never smoked pot....and in my younger days....didn't know very many people who didn't smoke it. But not because I didn't want to commit a crime. If that was the case, I would have waited to drink alcohol when I was old enough.
I had an intense allergic reaction to inhaling tobacco on the 2 times that I tried it....once when 15 and once again at 16. I was always afraid that if I tried pot, my throat could close up and I would be dead before someone even realized I was in trouble!
However....that never stopped me from attending parties where others were smoking it. Nor did I tell them ...."oh gee whiz....that's illegal...you shouldn't smoke it....gasp!"
Personally....I think it should be legalized, tax the hell out of it like liquor is taxed. Think of the money that could be collected in taxes on it. Think of what legalizing it would do to knock out the tremendous income that comes from the sale of it because it's illegal.
Pot smoking does not create the physical addiction to it like alcohol or cigarettes do to the body.
It does create an emotional addiction....but so does gambling.
You = smart. And not emotionally overjudgemental. lol Booze causes way more problems than pot but it's legal. :shucks: oh well. Interesting point about the physical/emotional addictions.
Very much agreed and I don't smoke pot either. H5 Deb. :)
BFD!
Like this is supposed to be some kind of carrer ending stunt!
Give me a break! This guy is the best thing that's come to swimming in the U.S. since Mark Spitz, and he ain't an asshole like Mark was!
So he smoked a little dope. BFD! Like most kids his age never touch the stuff. In my opinion, and believe me, I have had considerable experience dealing with this in my profession, this hits the scale on important news at about a 2 out of 10!
If we wanted PERFECT athletes, we wouldn't be satisfied with anything short of Jesus!
Jesus would have an unfair advantage in the swimming events. :evillaugh:
(http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6469/jesuscheaterpy5.jpg)