Originally Posted By dshyates I bet he loses a lot more endorsement deals when he comes out of the closet. Ted Haggard proved that being a crystal head is more acceptable than being gay.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***because many of the products he chose to endorse are geared toward young kids - sorry regardless ofones stand on legaliztion, I do not want very young children thinking this is acceptable*** Unless you want to claim that anyone photographed drinking an alcoholic beverage should receive the same punishment, I don't buy it. Beer is FAR more dangerous and deadly than marijuana, and yet it's perfectly legal. Pot is, as I wrote above, something nearly half of Americans have tried these days (including Presidents, at Phelps' age), I just don't get or understand the outrage here. Not one bit.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss You already pointed out the reason. Never mind which has caused more harm, alcohol is legal and pot is not. If so many Americans are okay with marijuana, have the laws changed. Anyway, regardless if you think it's a big deal or not, it doesn't change the fact that Phelps made a choice that is likely going to cost him some money.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Anyway, regardless if you think it's a big deal or not, it doesn't change the fact that Phelps made a choice that is likely going to cost him some money.*** I have no doubt that it will cost him. I'm just surprised to see folks here seemingly happy about it. How is it that people can even consider this an issue, given the face that the President himself willingly admits to having done it many times. If HE'S not a role model (and how many parents voted for the guy?), then who is? I think Phelps should tell the world to shove it. And yes, I certainly believe the laws should be changed, though I doubt they will be (America is hardly the bastion of freedom everyone seems to think it is).
Originally Posted By queenbee <<of course but should he get paid for being a goof ? >> He gets paid for being a swimmer, just as a football player, basketball player and any number of other goofs get paid for being exceptional at a sport. People make mistakes on the job. Sometimes they get fired and sometimes they do not. So far, his sponsors are standing behind him. I don't have a problem with their decision.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss It's not just an issue here, You know full well that it's the same way in Japan. Didn't another Sumo wrestler just get arrested or something for possession of marijuana?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Athletes are not (or should not be) role models. Role models should be teachers or doctors or people working at a soup kitchen helping others. Professional athletes are a bunch of people way overpaid in relation to what they contribute to society. I think he should retain his contracts. They sign a guy because he is well known and in the public eye. Now he is better known than ever... he ought to go for a fee increase. Or at least get to make a commercial with Danica.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss He doesn't get paid to be a swimmer, he gets paid to be spokesperson.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***It's not just an issue here, You know full well that it's the same way in Japan. Didn't another Sumo wrestler just get arrested or something for possession of marijuana?*** Yes, of course. It's far, far worse in Japan (Japan has some of the most draconian anti-drug laws on the planet, actually..comparable to Iran believe it or not!). But then again, I don't look to Japan as a bastion of freedom and progressive thinking. When I notice that places like Canada, Sweden, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Holland are far more progressive and free than Japan, it doesn't bother me.
Originally Posted By Mr X When I notice that Japan is more free in some ways than America, on the other hand, it bothers me a heck of a lot!
Originally Posted By dshyates The general concensus amoung marketers is phelps won't lose a dime over this.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub He has 2 strikes against him. A DUI and illegal drug use. That would be a problem. If these corporations continue to sponsor him they definitely do not need money from those that do not abuse alcohol and marijuana. It does anger me. One final thought from me...I immediately thought to myself when I heard about this in the news. This will be the turning point for marijuana to become acceptable and legal. If it is legal then the country can make a lot of money from taxation. And perhaps it will help to remove the more harmful chemical abuse. That would be beneficial to society. It is time to have a legitimate legal response.
Originally Posted By Mr X The DUI does bother me a lot. ***This will be the turning point for marijuana to become acceptable and legal.*** The thought crossed my mind as well.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I think Phelps should tell the world to shove it.< he's certain;y free to do so - but then we are allowed to tell him to shove it back -- which is what seemingly will happen from many sponsors --
Originally Posted By vbdad55 let me ask this question - there is a simple breathalizer test for an alcohol impaired driver -- ( as I have said before the DUI by far the worse of these two issues) - is there a similar test for marijuana impairment. I am asking because I do not know the answer to that - but I would think driving impairment issues will be a major obstacle in legalization
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<is there a similar test for marijuana impairment.>> Sure there is. You offer the driver $10 or a Hostess Ding Dong. If he/she takes the Ding Dong they're baked. ;-)
