When one person uses it we call it religious. Another and it is being a bad role model
So I'm not here to promote or denounce drug use, but the recent discovery of Phelps' bong-capades has struck a bad chord with me. WHO THE HELL CARES? Honestly, he smoked up in the off-season. Last I checked THC was not conducive to breaking swimming records. All THC is really only conducive to eating an unlawful amount of Doritos.
What has really annoyed me in all of this is his apology. Part of it was him giving a stupid grievance of having disappointed people and having not lived up to the expected behaviour others have had of him. Who are we to dictate how he should behave? Are we disappointed when rock stars give up the stereotype of being drug addicts and boozehounds? I don't think so, though we often raise an eyebrow at the straight-edge. The only expectation I have of Phelps is that he enjoy himself without harming others. He has earned his off-season so bugger off folks. If it turns into an addiction then that is his cross to bear, not yours. What he did at a party months ago is inconsequential as it has not impacted the present, We are sensationalizing jack all and we should be ashamed.
If teenagers are going to smoke a bowl, take a hit from a bong, or roll a joint because they saw Phelps doing it, it is not his fault. We are too quick to assign blame to others for what our children do. Children aren't learning enough in school? We blame the education system rather than taking an active role in teaching them. Children become sexualized too early and we blame modern media, especially television rather than ensuring they remain innocent children for as long as possible. Maybe just maybe if parents would stand back and take an even-handed look at their own skills at raising children who aren't easily swayed by media and others we would have a much more stable society. But no, we choose to live vicariously through the accomplishments of others.
It was Phelps who won all those medals out there, not us. Let him be. Start teaching proper drug education at home and perhaps some day a picture of an athlete taking a bit from a bong won't be international news-fodder.
What has really annoyed me in all of this is his apology. Part of it was him giving a stupid grievance of having disappointed people and having not lived up to the expected behaviour others have had of him. Who are we to dictate how he should behave? Are we disappointed when rock stars give up the stereotype of being drug addicts and boozehounds? I don't think so, though we often raise an eyebrow at the straight-edge. The only expectation I have of Phelps is that he enjoy himself without harming others. He has earned his off-season so bugger off folks. If it turns into an addiction then that is his cross to bear, not yours. What he did at a party months ago is inconsequential as it has not impacted the present, We are sensationalizing jack all and we should be ashamed.
If teenagers are going to smoke a bowl, take a hit from a bong, or roll a joint because they saw Phelps doing it, it is not his fault. We are too quick to assign blame to others for what our children do. Children aren't learning enough in school? We blame the education system rather than taking an active role in teaching them. Children become sexualized too early and we blame modern media, especially television rather than ensuring they remain innocent children for as long as possible. Maybe just maybe if parents would stand back and take an even-handed look at their own skills at raising children who aren't easily swayed by media and others we would have a much more stable society. But no, we choose to live vicariously through the accomplishments of others.
It was Phelps who won all those medals out there, not us. Let him be. Start teaching proper drug education at home and perhaps some day a picture of an athlete taking a bit from a bong won't be international news-fodder.
posted by Matsie at 4:45 PM
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