NO SCARLET LETTER FOR MICHAEL PHELPS

The drama surrounding swimming's golden boy Michael Phelps and the
bong photo that surfaced in a British tabloid is overblown.

First, let's get one fact straight: I'm not an advocate of
marijuana. In all honesty, I hate the stuff. I think it ruins lives,
leads to worse drugs down the line, and I don't feel it does any
good for society whatsoever. Nevertheless, I don't pretend that it's
not all around (especially in Wilkes-Barre, which I swear
resembles the streets of Los Angeles with the recent drug busts).

But honestly, this kid (and I say kid because he is only 23, the age
of many college students) has been ripped apart by the media for one
silly little photo that surfaced three months after the event took place.

In spite of the fact that Phelps never disputed the photo's
accuracy, and issued a public apology, acknowledging "regrettable
behavior" and "bad judgment," USA Swimming suspended Phelps for
three months and the Kellogg Co. has cut ties with him.

Yes, it is clear he did inhale, but unlike other professional
athletes who have engaged in questionable behavior, Phelps took
responsibility and handled the situation maturely. He never flaunted
his actions. Prolonged press attention will only lead to further
public vilification, and for what purpose? To bring
the once-heralded athlete back down to our level?

A case in point: The Milwaukee Admirals, an AHL hockey team, will
host a "Don't Be Like Mike" night on February 19. In short, all DARE
graduates, people with the name Mike, Phelps, Mary Jane, Cheech,
Chong, Weed, or anyone who has won an Olympic gold medal gets into
the game for $2. On top of that, if the Admirals score in any period
at the 4:20 minute mark, some lucky fan gets season tickets to all
games next season.

That's a joke, right? I wish I could say it was. It's an uncalled
for low blow and an immature move by that organization.

If it weren't bad enough, now a South Carolina sheriff is arresting
kids who were at the party, looking to construct a case against Phelps.

It's not like the guy went Chris Brown on his girlfriend or
something. He was at a college party, a place we've all been, and
decided to have a little fun, which most of us can say we have done
at some point in our lives. Did he go too far? Absolutely. But the
public scrutiny that has resulted from this single incident has been
excessive, given the offense.

The Phelps case suggests that is stems from a officer looking for
fifteen minutes of fame, much like the Duke Lacrosse case. Phelps
was acting like a kid. Yes, he should wise up and realize he is a
colossal figure in the sports world, an icon that children and
adults alike look up to. But Phelps is still human, and for this
mistake he's definitely paid the price and then some.

Phelps didn't lie about the situation, he didn't try and defend
himself, and he didn't go after the person who took the picture. He
took it like a man, even saying that he deserved the punishment.

A-Rod, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens should take note. This kid is
manning up to his mistakes. He's isn't hiding behind it like a
coward and taking shots elsewhere. He could have easily said that it
was not weed and even that it wasn't him, and he would have been
believed. He told the truth, which in this day in age is like trying
to nail jello to a tree.

Police have defended themselves notning that they are treating
Phelps just as they would anyone else in this situation. Really? If
police pursued everyone with the same sort of enthusiasm for
suspicion of pot use, when would they have time to catch murderers
and rapists? As for the media, if I were to go on Facebook and
print out all the pictures I have seen of people doing the exact
same thing, and send them to any local newspaper or television
station would they run them?

No.

Michael Phelps doesn't deserve the abuse he is taking for this
photo. He made a mistake. Let him learn from it and move on. Given
the offense and his response, he does not deserve to wear a scarlet
letter on his chest for the rest of his career.