Michael Phelps photographed smoking out of a water bong

[Jobu]

No one...you have to read the second half of my response...occasional use.

If you have a drink it affects you. You may not be drunk, but it relaxes you...makes you feel good.  Therefore it is a mind altering substance. That is part of the reason people drink.

Same for taking a hit off the bong, or whatever. You can do it a bunch and get stoned, or just take a small one and relax. It's the same thing as having a drink in that regard.

Now you can say, no you don't drink to feel relaxed at all...you do it because you like the flavor and that's it.  If that's you argument, the same can be said for smoking marijuana, as there are many different types...just like tobacco.

The point is there is a negative stigma associated with marijuana use...which has been beat into us for decades by our govt. and the "war on drugs". It is mostly perpetuated and bought into by people who have zero personal experience with the drug, and who look at "potheads" for their proof of the drug's evil, neglecting the ocassional responsible user. Those same people would be outraged if only alcoholics were looked at when discussing alcohol and its affect on society, as most of them probably ocassionaly enjoy a drink. It is a double standard. The reality is the drug is essentially the same as alcohol.

...and for the record, I haven't smoked since I was in college...and even then I didn't do it much. BUT, I did do it enough to understand it...and if it was legal I'd probably use it now and again. It just isn't worth risking getting caught IMO.

Apparently the Sheriff down there is investigating and some charges against Phelps could soon come forth.  If he was pictured raising hell at a party while drinking from a beer bong, I don't think they would be investigating him, but they would chastise him.  And that's the primary difference between the two.

I've done lots of illegal shit (some probably felonious) that never hurt anyone and mostly only endangered myself, but I'm not going to advocate it because its illegal.

[wbeck257]

If he was pictured raising hell at a party while drinking from a beer bong, I don't think they would be investigating him, but they would chastise him. 

Your exactly right, they wouldn't investigate him -- because drinking from a beer bong when your 23 isn't illegal.

[ducatiz]

As far as I know, he was only photographed with his mouth on a water pipe.

The photograph did not even show a bowl attached, not to mention its contents.

Our legal system requires the state to prove the accusation. 

Did he actually admit to smoking pot or did he just say "i was being stupid?"

All I've seen him to have said was "regrettable behavior" and "bad judgment"

not "i smoked marijuana"

[Monsterlover]

Pretty sure he just said he was stupid.

I think those words were surely chosen for him. . .

[herm]

A former president didn't inhale.

A current president admitted in his own autobiography that he experimented with several drugs.

A former president is an admitted alcoholic and a former cocaine user.

An athlete smoked some pot.





Ok.........seriously........who gives a shit?

+1

[TAftonomos]

He may be a good swimmer but he is dumb as a brick. He should have known better.

I got here late, and I know it's from the first page, but the above post made me laugh pretty good.

If you are as dumb as a brick, how COULD you know better?

[the_Journeyman]

As far as I know, he was only photographed with his mouth on a water pipe.

The photograph did not even show a bowl attached, not to mention its contents.

It's possible whatever state or county laws that apply to the location where the picture was taken consider the water pipe drug paraphernalia and since it's obviously in his possession in the picture they can charge him with possession of drive paraphernalia or something similar ~

JM

[Popeye the Sailor]

It's possible whatever state or county laws that apply to the location where the picture was taken consider the water pipe drug paraphernalia and since it's obviously in his possession in the picture they can charge him with possession of drive paraphernalia or something similar ~

JM

I would just charge back that I was photshopped.

[the_Journeyman]

Supposedly a computer crime lab could verify that the picture had or had not been altered.  Not 100% sure about that, or if it would be worth the cost for just a paraphernalia charge either.

JM

[cyrus buelton]

Apparently the sheriff in this town has nothing better to do then to go after a kid in a picture with a water bong............



Maybe the Sheriff can cruise myspace or facebook next for underage kids with a beer in their hand..............

[Sinister]

Apparently the sheriff in this town has nothing better to do then to go after a kid in a picture with a water bong............



Maybe the Sheriff can cruise myspace or facebook next for underage kids with a beer in their hand..............

Oh, shut up.  Don't denigrate the Sheriff for doing his job: upholding and enforcing the law.  If he's investigating it, most likely he is being instructed to do so by a DA or Assistant DA.

[Oldfisti]

Oh, shut up.  Don't denigrate the Sheriff for doing his job: upholding and enforcing the law.  If he's investigating it, most likely he is being instructed to do so by a DA or Assistant DA.

+1              DA's seem to love to make a name for themselves. At least in my neck of the woods.   


I sure do feel safer knowing this is being looked into...   

[Popeye the Sailor]

+1              DA's seem to love to make a name for themselves. At least in my neck of the woods.   


I sure do feel safer knowing this is being looked into...   

What? We can't have hopped up olympic swimmers around. It's almost as bad as a shark with a laser beam on it's frickin' head.


Next thing you know he'll be hooked on crack and puncturing holes in glass bottomed boats to rob tourists.



Punks gotta be brought down.

[Oldfisti]

What? We can't have hopped up olympic swimmers around. It's almost as bad as a shark with a laser beam on it's frickin' head.


Next thing you know he'll be hooked on crack and puncturing holes in glass bottomed boats to rob tourists.



Punks gotta be brought down.

 

[cyrus buelton]

Oh, shut up.  Don't denigrate the Sheriff for doing his job: upholding and enforcing the law.  If he's investigating it, most likely he is being instructed to do so by a DA or Assistant DA.

Yes, I know how the legal system works that the DA drives a lot of "high profile" investigations.

I am just saying that whole area really needs to take a look at what they are doing.

Going after some college kid for smoking some pot?

Come on.

How about the drunk drivers or people committing actual "live" crimes..................