tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post7045669740556765045..comments2024-02-29T23:31:03.341-05:00Comments on Out Of Left Field: Tech, Money & Sports: Michael Phelps vs. The United States of Idiocracysagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-60366710675457131112009-02-04T18:16:00.000-05:002009-02-04T18:16:00.000-05:00@ Kinger: CCSS ('Cuz Costas Said So).One of the wr...@ Kinger: CCSS ('Cuz Costas Said So).<BR/><BR/>One of the writers at <I><A HREF="http://sportsonmymind.com/2009/02/04/the-real-reefer-madness-why-michael-phelps-must-get-arrested/" REL="nofollow">Sports on My Mind</A></I> made a point that if you believe in justice, then you should hope Phelps <I>does</I> get arrested.<BR/><BR/>Hear him out. He pointed out, that as part of the War on Drugs (Bill Hicks: "There's a war on drugs, and people on drugs are winning? Cool!"), there was a tenfold increase in marijuana arrests (353,000) in New York City from 1997-2007 compared to the two previous 10-year periods (about 30,000 each).<BR/><BR/>Blacks and Latinos made up a disproportionate number of the arrests. Surveys often say whites use majijuana at a higher rate. In other words, a lot of people are already getting the Michael Phelps treatment. <BR/> <BR/>I didn't know any of that until now. Nor should I, really, not being a visible minority. <I>Abre los ojos</I>, eh?sagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-1057000241294107512009-02-04T16:29:00.000-05:002009-02-04T16:29:00.000-05:00I agree Dennis that he was viewed as clean cut. Bu...I agree Dennis that he was viewed as clean cut. But why on earth was a DUI convict viewed that way?Tyler Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837449412824159700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-84952674432699136552009-02-04T16:25:00.000-05:002009-02-04T16:25:00.000-05:00The Phelps story has been overblown, no question,...The Phelps story has been overblown, no question, but I think that is largely a function of how incongruous the image was. People viewed him as the ultimate clean cut kid, so this notion of an eight time gold medalist going Ricky Williams by hitting the bong was a bit of a shocker. <BR/><BR/>No one is going to be hurt by the occasional joint at a party, but chronic and prolonged marijuana use is really stupid given its proven negative health effects. The notion put forward by marijuana advocates that it is as healthy as eating an apple is ridiculous. Having said all that, it's my job to teach that to my kids - I certainly don't leave it in the hands of celebrities.Dennis Prousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01117649570711228161noreply@blogger.com