Michael Phelps

[DeluxePrincess]

It's a shame. Yes, many people smoke pot, but he is idolized by so many infulential young people. For all those saying it's no big deal, do you encourage your children to do drugs? Too bad he has to go around living like a rock star.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

It's a shame. Yes, many people smoke pot, but he is idolized by so many infulential young people. For all those saying it's no big deal, do you encourage your children to do drugs? Too bad he has to go around living like a rock star.

We certainly should not encourage our kids to do drugs. We should encourage our kids to stop idolizing spoiled superstar athletes.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

We certainly should not encourage our kids to do drugs. We should encourage our kids to stop idolizing spoiled superstar athletes.

I would agree with you there too.

 

[tennisfan]

Don't they do out of competition testing? if they do he has been lucky to have not been caught with drugs in his system. He will certainly be on the radar for more testing.

Hopefully his sponsors will think again about the vast sums of money they pay

 

[Dizzy4Disney90210]

Associated Press is running a story that he acknowledges "regrettable" behavior. We heard it first on the DIS, folks.

Translation: He regrets being photographed doing it.

Does anyone think he will change his ways now? or just be more careful?

 

[castleview]

We certainly should not encourage our kids to do drugs. We should encourage our kids to stop idolizing spoiled superstar athletes.

I'm agreeing with SteveInBrooklyn. Of course, adults should stop idolizing spoiled superstar athletes too.

 

[castleview]

Translation: He regrets being photographed doing it.

Does anyone think he will change his ways now? or just be more careful?

You mean like he did four years ago after the DWI arrest?

 

[klynn]

Isn't first time offense a mandatory 2 year suspension?

 

[Rebelmom67]

I think the pattern that is being presented is worrisome. First a DUI and now drug use. This appears to be a talented young man going down the wrong path.

 

[gina2000]

It's a shame. Yes, many people smoke pot, but he is idolized by so many infulential young people. For all those saying it's no big deal, do you encourage your children to do drugs? Too bad he has to go around living like a rock star.

Nah.....I teach my child that no one is perfect and that the pitfalls in life are many and dangerous. And I suggest that he think before he acts because he may regret something that is unforgiveable and/or unalterable. MP's behavior is no big deal to me because I use it as a lesson. I never have and never will use a famous person as a role model. Too often, they fall from grace into the sea.

I'm rather giggling at the rock star comment. Bruce Springsteen, who has run clean tours from the very beginning, might resent your statement just a bit...........

 

[lulugirl]

Nah.....I teach my child that no one is perfect and that the pitfalls in life are many and dangerous. And I suggest that he think before he acts because he may regret something that is unforgiveable and/or unalterable. MP's behavior is no big deal to me because I use it as a lesson. I never have and never will use a famous person as a role model. Too often, they fall from grace into the sea.

I'm rather giggling at the rock star comment. Bruce Springsteen, who has run clean tours from the very beginning, might resent your statement just a bit...........

Well stated

 

[SpecialK]

I think the pattern that is being presented is worrisome. First a DUI and now drug use. This appears to be a talented young man going down the wrong path.

I think that's blowing it out of proportion. I don't see his behavior as being that different from the behavior of the majority of young people. Most people experiment when they are young - only some get caught.

 

[Cool-Beans]

It's a shame. Yes, many people smoke pot, but he is idolized by so many infulential young people. For all those saying it's no big deal, do you encourage your children to do drugs? Too bad he has to go around living like a rock star.

Nope, don't encourage that.

Do encourage my children not to look up to celebrities. They are by and large kind of stupid and skanky and it isn't like a celeb on drugs is a shocker.

I frequently use celebrities as examples of poor behavior, poor choices and the results of all that. You can always count on the celebs to provide examples for you.

Just why people allow their kids to get sucked into thinking those people are something to idolize, I'm sure I don't know. All that glisters and all that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEPe4fZNf74

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Same here gina2000.

I think idolizing anyone famous or not is weird. That is when I can agree with the 1st Commandment. Idol worship is living falsely.

I understand being proud or happy for the accomplishments that MP did for the USA at the Olympics but beyond that nothing.

I raised my kids the same way. Of course they are a tad cynical when it comes to things, but hey, nothing wrong with a discerning eye imo.

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

From the school teachers perspective...I see far too many kids who idealize athletes. My kids are sure they are all going to be multi-millionaire professional athletes even if they are not playing on the high school team. For that reason, the Michael Phelps thing is a big deal. My students would think MP smoking pot is awesome. Just leads to the idea that the rich can do whatever.

From a parent perspective...I don't think a young kid smoking pot is the end of the world. I will certainly tell my kids not to, encourage them that some behaviors/actions have consequences that might not even be immediate (like pixs on myspace, etc..) I'd be far more concerned if my kid got a DUI. Then, their stupid behavior is putting other people at risk.

 

[chisnpeke]

I just read that he has acknowledged that it is him in the pictures.

I'm disappointed. I know he's young but I guess I held him to a higher standard.
QUOTE]

Me too, I'm very disappointed in him. My views on him has changed and I can't support that conduct. I hope his sponsors feel the same.

I'd be more disappointed in his DUI in 2004 after winning the medals.

 

[castleview]

From the school teachers perspective...I see far too many kids who idealize athletes. My kids are sure they are all going to be multi-millionaire professional athletes even if they are not playing on the high school team. For that reason, the Michael Phelps thing is a big deal. My students would think MP smoking pot is awesome. Just leads to the idea that the rich can do whatever.

From a parent perspective...I don't think a young kid smoking pot is the end of the world. I will certainly tell my kids not to, encourage them that some behaviors/actions have consequences that might not even be immediate (like pixs on myspace, etc..) I'd be far more concerned if my kid got a DUI. Then, their stupid behavior is putting other people at risk.

That amazed me too when I taught. I remember freshman standing no more than 5'6" not caring about their school work because "I'm getting a scholarship". I wanted to smack whomever told them that!

 

[Scornelius]

We certainly should not encourage our kids to do drugs. We should encourage our kids to stop idolizing spoiled superstar athletes.

MTE. It makes me sad to read how people are disappointed because they held Phelps so a higher standard. Why? He's just a kid who happens to be a fantastic swimmer. Why does that give him more influence, or imply he should lead by example in anything besides swimming? I hope I can teach my son to idolize people for their ideas and contributions to society rather than physical abilities at a game.

I also want to add, the DUI would upset me much more than the pot. If my kids 'had to' imitate a behaviour, I'd much rather they toke at a party than drive under the influence. Honestly, the two aren't even in the same realm for me.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Here's the Fox sports story confirming it's true.
http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/9160136?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002

Hey, lots of people in their early 20's have made stupid mistakes. Lord knows I have. But this really hurts his public image. There goes his big endorsements.

 

[vettechick99]

I just don't get why this is a big deal?