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Michael Phelps' Bong Buddies Busted
A Columbia, South Carolina, TV station reports that the Richland County Sheriff's Department has arrested eight people on marijuana charges in connection with the November party where Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was photographed taking a bong hit. After serving a search warrant on the house where the party was held, says WIS-TV, the department charged seven people with marijuana possession and one with distribution. They also confiscated the world-famous bong, whose owner reportedly was trying to sell it on eBay for $100,000. Phelps himself has not been charged, but Sheriff Leon Lott has photographic evidence linking him to the house, plus the gold medalist's public admission of "regrettable behavior."
Although the house is within Columbia's city limits, WIS-TV reports, "the Columbia Police Department decided not to initiate or take an active role in the investigation." South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford also seems to think police have better things to do. On the Fox News Channel on Sunday, Geraldo Rivera asked him whether Phelps should be prosecuted, and Sanford replied, "I don't see what it gets at this point."
Norm Kent, an attorney who serves on NORML's board of directors, explains why the case against Phelps is not the slam dunk you might think it is.
Meanwhile, drug policy reformers are urging Phelps-friendly consumers to boycott Kellogg's products, or at least register a complaint with the food company, in response to its decision to cancel the swimmer's sponsorship deal. Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, writes:
This contemporary flogging reeks of hypocrisy—of alcohol drinkers and tobacco smokers condemning those who consume a far less dangerous product; of company officials who no doubt smoked marijuana themselves castigating a remarkable athlete for getting caught doing what nobody cares if they did as well; and of sanctimonious handwringers seizing on a public figure's embarrassment to drive home an anachronistic abstinence-only message when it comes to America's favorite illicit psychoactive substance.
Tens of millions of Americans think that the public condemnation of Phelps is a farce....
We also think that arresting almost 800,000 Americans each year for possessing a little marijuana is both a stupid waste and diversion of police resources as well as a cruel intrusion into the lives of ordinary Americans. And we're sick and tired of the public outings, and forced apologies and recantations, which perpetuate this shameless hypocrisy.
So let's send Kellogg's a message!
Previous Reason coverage of the Phelps flogging here, here, here, here, and here.
[Thanks to Tom Angell at LEAP for the tip.]
|2.10.09 @ 4:04PM|#
"This contemporary flogging reeks of hypocrisy-of alcohol
drinkers and tobacco smokers condemning those who consume a far
less dangerous product...."
Can't we just say prohibition is stupid, without pointing the
finger at someone else (get THEM! not ME!)
But, yeah, Fuck Kellogg's
|2.10.09 @ 4:05PM|#
Let's see; do I actually give a shit about some
obsessive-compulsive bozo who is willing to enslave himself to the
totalitarians at the International Olympic Regime?
Ummm, no.
Do I think he, or anybody else, should be a trophy, on the wall of
some politically motivated scumbag? Fuck, no.
Kellogg can use Charles Manson as a spokesperson, for all I
care.
Charles|2.10.09 @ 4:06PM|#
How popular do you think the person who took that photo and sent it to the tabloids is right now?
Elemenope|2.10.09 @ 4:08PM|#
Bong Buddies Busted
Oh, just admit it. You have been waiting to use that one for a
while.
Forrest|2.10.09 @ 4:08PM|#
They also confiscated the world-famous bong, whose owner
reportedly was trying to sell it on eBay for $100,000.
Stupid Is as Stupid Does
|2.10.09 @ 4:09PM|#
I want to see Tony the Tiger doing a bong hit. We already know Captain Crunch does meth. God only knows what that Cruchberry Beast is on. And those three little krispy dudes - nitrous I guess.
Elemenope|2.10.09 @ 4:11PM|#
Apparently Subway has decided to keep Phelps on as an
endorser. They know which side of their (half-baked) bread is
buttered.
I like D'Angelo's sandwiches better, but it kinda makes me want to
get a $5 foot-long, just 'cause.
Boston|2.10.09 @ 4:12PM|#
They hadn't ditched the evidence by now? Couldn't they have seen this coming? Props to Sanford though.
Tony the Tiger|2.10.09 @ 4:12PM|#
" want to see Tony the Tiger doing a bong hit."
Bongs? They're Grrrrrrrrraaate!!!
phalkor |2.10.09 @ 4:14PM|#
The moral of the story, never smoke pot with famous people.
Wait, friends don't let friends take pictures of each other smoking
pot. Well something like that.
These people made a very unfortunate choice of smoking buddy.
yandus yillib|2.10.09 @ 4:15PM|#
One for each gold medal.
Thank goodness the police are finally taking action. When is the
SWAT team going to serve the warrant at Michael's house?
Thin Last November|2.10.09 @ 4:16PM|#
"I like D'Angelo's sandwiches better, but it kinda makes me want
to get a $5 foot-long, just 'cause."
Ya know I started eating $5 foot-longs for lunch a couple of months
back and damn if they aren't making me fat. I think Jared Fogle is
a liar.
|2.10.09 @ 4:16PM|#
They hadn't ditched the evidence by now?
Really. Fucking idiots.
Although I'm not sure exactly how the police are going to get
possession charges to stick against all the people living in the
house, unless they each had a baggie stashed in their underwear
drawer.
Do we know yet who took the picture. I want a name, dammit!
McGruff|2.10.09 @ 4:17PM|#
"Thank goodness the police are finally taking action. When is
the SWAT team going to serve the warrant at Michael's house?"
Hope they remember to shoot the dogs.
|2.10.09 @ 4:17PM|#
Ya know I started eating $5 foot-longs for lunch a couple of
months back and damn if they aren't making me fat. I think Jared
Fogle is a liar.
That's what happens when you eat a bread sandwich.
|2.10.09 @ 4:18PM|#
I don't think this cop cares if the charges stick. He just wants his 3 seconds of fame.
Thin Last November|2.10.09 @ 4:18PM|#
"That's what happens when you eat a bread sandwich."
Well what the hell is Jared eating???
|2.10.09 @ 4:21PM|#
Well what the hell is Jared eating???
Lies and deceit. Besides, he was eating a 6-inch, and wasn't
deepthroating a foot long like you.
|2.10.09 @ 4:21PM|#
"Well what the hell is Jared eating???"
I think I can tell what he's NOT eating.
short, fat bastard|2.10.09 @ 4:22PM|#
Well what the hell is Jared eating???
If memory serves: he would do a six-inch low-cal meat sandwich of
some kind and a 12-inch all vegie sandwich (a.k.a. a salad on
bread). This was combined with lots of walking.
|2.10.09 @ 4:23PM|#
"Besides, he was eating a 6-inch, and wasn't deepthroating a
foot long like you."
I think I just pissed myself.
yandus yillib|2.10.09 @ 4:24PM|#
Shoot the dogs, initiate forfiture of those gold medals, and
then drop the criminal complaint.
After all, isn't it just about revenue enhancement?
BakedPenguin|2.10.09 @ 4:28PM|#
I like D'Angelo's sandwiches better, but it kinda makes me
want to get a $5 foot-long, just 'cause.
Damn. I haven't lived in a part of the country with D'Angelo's for
a long time. IIRC, they are awesome.
Also, the 1-800 number for Kellogg's actually has a convenient
phone mail for people who want to talk about the Phelps thing. I
called to say I wouldn't be buying any Kellogg's products unless
they reconsidered their decision.
Urkobold™|2.10.09 @ 4:34PM|#
THE URKOBOLD WAS WITH PHELPS THAT NIGHT AND HAS SOME INSIDE INFORMATION. MICHAEL USED ONE OF HIS GOLD MEDALS AS THE BASE FOR THE BONG. HE'S A GOOD KID.
|2.10.09 @ 4:37PM|#
If there were to be a bright side to this, it would be that the
dickwad who sold the fucking picture is one of the arrestees. And
is the only one ultimately convicted.
Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?
Actually, as bad a dickwad as he is, I really wouldn't wish that on
him.
A journey through the criminal justice system is a thing not to be
taken lightly.
|2.10.09 @ 4:38PM|#
How much weed could you buy with 12 gold medals? I'd like to get enough to fill a sleeping bag.
Dan O|2.10.09 @ 4:38PM|#
"MICHAEL USED ONE OF HIS GOLD MEDALS AS THE BASE FOR THE
BONG."
That's just stupid.
¢|2.10.09 @ 4:39PM|#
Can't we just say prohibition is stupid, without pointing
the finger at someone else (get THEM! not ME!)
If by "we" you mean NORML//DPA types, no.
"Everything but whatever I do should be banned" is the
most pro-prohibition position one can occupy, and they're
much closer to it than they are to being anti-prohibition.
Sanctimonious handwringers seizing on a public figure's
embarrassment to drive home a differently inflected Puritan
message, you could say (if you talked in goofy waves of cliche like
that).
|2.10.09 @ 4:40PM|#
"A journey through the criminal justice system is a thing not to
be taken lightly."
I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
Goldie Gopher|2.10.09 @ 4:40PM|#
"As far as food it is Quiznos all the way."
In Minneapolis, they're e-coli breeders.
Urkobold™|2.10.09 @ 4:41PM|#
INDEED, DAN-O. HOWEVER, HIS FRIENDS ENJOYED IT. THEY SAID IT SMELLED LIKE. . .VICTORY.
Dan O|2.10.09 @ 4:42PM|#
"INDEED, DAN-O. HOWEVER, HIS FRIENDS ENJOYED IT. THEY SAID IT
SMELLED LIKE. . .VICTORY."
Take a writing/comedy class and get back to us.
Hempy|2.10.09 @ 4:44PM|#
"I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."
Really? Because I would love to see the two little bitches that
pulled a gun and robbed my neighbor put in jail.
BakedPenguin|2.10.09 @ 4:46PM|#
smartass & ¢ - I don't think the comparison with alcohol and tobacco by NORML is meant to imply those things should be illegal, but rather to point out that one of the more common arguments for pot prohibition is utter bullshit.
MAX HATS|2.10.09 @ 4:46PM|#
As far as food it is Quiznos all the way.
I've boycotted Quiznos. My dollars are not paying for talking baby
advertisement, or singing puppets, any of that shit.
|2.10.09 @ 4:47PM|#
"Really? Because I would love to see the two little bitches that
pulled a gun and robbed my neighbor put in jail."
I'd rather see them tied up in my basement.
Dan O|2.10.09 @ 4:47PM|#
"DAN O, YOU FOOL, THE SLASH IS DEPRECATED IN FORMAL
SENTENCES!"
Really. You're making an ass of yourself. Take a break. It just
isn't working.
|2.10.09 @ 4:50PM|#
"Really? Because I would love to see the two little bitches that
pulled a gun and robbed my neighbor put in jail."
I'd rather see them tied up in my basement, with plastic sheeting
all around.
Warty|2.10.09 @ 4:53PM|#
Dan O, it takes a brave soul to pick a fight with the Urkobold. Mind yer taint, dude.
Urkobold™|2.10.09 @ 4:56PM|#
AS YOU SAY, DAN O. AND YOUR CONTRIBUTION HAS ENLIGHTENED THE
CHILDREN OF AMERICA! OH, LISTEN TO THEIR PAEANS TO YOU, THE BRINGER
OF JOY AND KNOWLEDGE. WHY, AS THE URKOBOLD READS THROUGH THE
PROFUNDITY OF YOUR POSTINGS, HE IS STRICKEN DUMB WITH AWE. WHAT
INSIGHTS YOU HAVE!
PLEASE, EDITORS OF REASON, STAND ASIDE AND LET DAN O
SPEAK. TURN OFF COMMENTS, TURN OFF REASON. LET US ALL
"TAKE A BREAK" AND LISTEN TO THE SOOTHING SOUNDS OF DAN O'S WORDS
OF SOON-TO-BE-UNTAINTED WISDOM.
Dan O|2.10.09 @ 5:06PM|#
"WHY, AS THE URKOBOLD READS THROUGH THE PROFUNDITY OF YOUR
POSTINGS, HE IS STRICKEN DUMB WITH AWE. WHAT INSIGHTS YOU
HAVE!"
fart
phalkor |2.10.09 @ 5:10PM|#
gee whiz, while there is a lot of catty in this thread, it is lacking in funny or clever. cmon H&R! you can do better!
|2.10.09 @ 5:15PM|#
...Richland County Sheriff's Department has arrested eight
people on marijuana charges in connection with the November party
where Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was photographed taking a bong
hit.
Un Fucking Believable.
What am I saying, it's all too believable.
Is it even possible for drug warriors to go to far?
Soon, they'll combine random road blocks with swat raids and just
shoot the dogs in random cars. Because we need to send the right
message. THINK OF THE CHILDREN
Dan O|2.10.09 @ 5:29PM|#
"Dan O, why so serious?"
Urkobold™ is boringly predictable and effectively impotent. What
can I say?
DangerMan|2.10.09 @ 5:41PM|#
Dan O, you just need the Totally Coercive Taint Protection that
only Pre-withered Tainties can Provide!
Yes! Tainties! The Lunch Cereal that makes you jump up and post!
Post like a man, Dan O! Post with Tainties!
Naga Sadow|2.10.09 @ 5:53PM|#
Whoa! My taint feels withered just from reading Dan O's derisive comments! You fool, Dan O! You foolish fool!
Comrade Taktix®|2.10.09 @ 6:13PM|#
They also confiscated the world-famous bong, whose owner
reportedly was trying to sell it on eBay for $100,000.
I didn't RTFA, so excuse me if these kids were too stupid to flush
their stash when the story hit.
However, assuming the defendant had nothing on them other than the
bong, couldn't they argue that it was a hoax, or that they gave
Phelps a tobacco-filled bong as a gag? I mean, I can't imagine
possesion charges would stick so long after the fact.
OTOH, if they didn't get rid of their stash when the story broke,
like anyone except the severly retarded would, then they
likely deserve some punishment.
Anyone know what they were charge with? (My internet Nazi's won't
let me follow the link).
NotMyRealName|2.10.09 @ 6:19PM|#
Color me compassionate, but I'm not as upset as most here are
about the actions of Sheriff Leon Lott.
Things could have been a lot worse, since Lott is allegedly the
lovechild of UrkoboldTM and Eric Dondero.
Parody & Son|2.10.09 @ 6:31PM|#
MICHAEL PHELPS IS IN HOT WATER…
Stop the presses -- an athlete has been caught smoking pot!! This
is news?!? I say, he's just a kid!! We've all made mistakes. Leave
Michael Phelps alone!!! (After you listen to this parody and send
it to everyone you know!!) See "Because Michael Phelps Got High" at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK09SS0zYHg
See more parodies at http://parodyandson.blogspot.com
lunchstealer|2.10.09 @ 6:31PM|#
Isn't Leon Lott the jackass that thought an M113 APC was a good way to spend Richland County tax dollars?
|2.10.09 @ 6:50PM|#
If only federal prosecutors would act as swiftly to apprehend the financial terrorists behind the economic meltdown.
|2.10.09 @ 7:36PM|#
"I'll donate to a candidate against Sheriff Lott" Facebook
group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53769580807
..|2.10.09 @ 7:55PM|#
They can out A-Rod, but they can't out the guy who took the bong
photo?
I am depressed.
Mad Max|2.10.09 @ 8:47PM|#
In a statement, Sheriff Lott said: "We will make the Phelps investigation a high priority. We will not stop until we have smoked out all the perpetrators. We must weed out the criminal element. I am going to do what's right and enforce the law, even if it means I have to take a hit in the media."
Curious George|2.10.09 @ 10:00PM|#
I keep getting the feeling the author has a major sideline dealing.
lunchstealer|2.11.09 @ 10:05AM|#
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford also seems to think police have better things to do.
lunchstealer|2.11.09 @ 10:14AM|#
What with all the disappointment I've grown accustomed to in the
past oh, 9 years from the GOP, I keep expecting for the other Mark
Sanford shoe to drop. Not to mention the built-in disappointment
factor of South Carolina, a state which takes perverse pride in its
ability to manufacture tawdriness and Flannery O'Connor
characters.
See Leon Lott, who's kind of a Loverboy to Joe Arpaio's
Foreigner.
SunflowerPipes|2.12.09 @ 12:55AM|#
So Michael Phelps is a guy who drinks at parties smokes a little
gambles on high stakes games of beer pong and is the all time
greatest Olympic medal winner he sounds like a pretty cool guy to
me. Michael Phelps is an American Hero. He stood tall and made
America proud at the Beijing Olympics. This is how he is treated.
Michael Phelps did a tremendous amount of work to achive what he
did. Who can forget the pride we felt with the each gold medal
Phelps won in China, how can we as Americans forget all of those
things and hang a man for smoking a
glass water pipe at a college party. It is time that we as a
country stand up for the rights of the individual, it's time we
stand together with our neighbors and take collective control of
our destinies. Write any congressman or a senator; imagine the
weight of millions of emails calling for a change in policy. Lets
stop them from arresting college kids at parties in America.
SunflowerPipes.com
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