Beware the wolf in sheeps clothing Michael

Everyone is voicing his or her opinion on Michael Phelps and his little episode with the bong pipe. Some say weed ought to be legal anyway so it’s no big deal. Others say 90% of American adults have tried marijuana at one time in his or her lifetime. Some even say since he’s an adult we shouldn’t be hard on him with respect to his status as a role model for our youth. That indicates these folks think blowing a joint is an age appropriate thing. First, I will go on record as saying Michael Phelps manned up and admitted his wrongdoing. He said it was a youthful indiscretion and promised it wouldn’t happen again. For that, I commend him and wish some of our elected officials would take note. Now let us talk a little about whether breaking the law is an age appropriate discretion, role models, youthful indiscretions, and the fact that many of us have tried it. I choose to talk about the last one first. It makes no difference how many of us have or have not tried Mary J. Most of us were smart enough to elude the law and/or cameras. All of us have tried going 10 miles an hour over the speed limit but, at the end of the day, if the police didn’t catch you, it’s no big deal. Michael Phelps, on the other hand, sucked an illegal drug out of a bong pipe big enough to be seen a block away at a party where cameras were present. The act isn’t as dumb as the surrounding circumstances. Next, take youthful indiscretions. This opinion will upset some of you out there but here goes. Every time I see Mr. Phelps he needs a shave, has his hat on backwards, and his pants look as if they are three sizes to large for him. My apologies to all you folks out there in cyber space that dress like this but I am going to profile you and say youthful indiscretions tend to follow these kinds of dressers. Call It what you will. Call it my upbringing or call it discrimination but I have the evening news and crime blotters to back me up on this one. Everyone except the media and Mr. Phelps seems to have forgotten he was also caught for DUI prior to his earning all those medals. My opinion is, the first time shame on him and the second time shame on him too! Does anyone see a pattern here besides me? As for role models, I have little regard for them anyway. I think we should be our children’s role model and shame on us if we aren’t. I’m not going to lay this on Michael Phelps, Brittany Spears, or any other celebrity with whom I may have issues. We guide our children and we are responsible for their ability to know the difference between right and wrong. This is not your burden to bare Mr. Phelps so disregard what anyone says about that. Last, but certainly not least is age appropriate law abiding. It has no significance that some people think marijuana should be legal. In fact it is against the law. You broke the law and evidence, you do not deny, is present that appears to support that fact. That is the only thing you should have to deal with and it will be between you and the appropriate law enforcement and Olympic committee officials. You should receive no benefit from nor should your punishment be more severe because you happen to be the fastest man on earth while in the water. Lastly, your endorsements are between you and the companies who you represent. If people elect not to buy an item because the company pays you to endorse it, that’s their prerogative. If they decide to buy it because they think you are being railroaded that’s also their prerogative. The companies will follow their sales patterns and take appropriate action. If I could be so brazen as to offer a small bit of advice it would be the following. If you elect to drink alcoholic beverages, hire a driver (you have the money). If you decide to suck on an over sized bong pipe, make sure all the cameras are void of film. By the way Michael, someone at that party is not your friend!!!