Phelps Up In Smoke

[Dr. Shane]

Michael Phelps Suspended From Swim Competitions; Kellogg Nixes Sponsorship

Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months by USA Swimming, the latest fallout from a photo that showed the Olympic great inhaling from a marijuana pipe...

Also on Thursday, Kellogg Co. said it will drop Phelps' endorsement deal.

Most of his major sponsors, such as Visa Inc., Speedo, luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega and sports beverage PureSport's maker Human Performance Labs, stood by the athlete following the news, even if they didn't condone his behavior.

But Battle Creek, Mich.-based cereal and snack maker Kellogg said Phelps's behavior is "not consistent with the image of Kellogg."

[text from link]

[Bravus]

He's a goose. Is a quick high worth what it cost?

[Woody]

Quote:

He's a goose.

Rule #4. Don't be negative towards other people... they are Christ's children. Sinners just like ourselves.

[Bravus]

Oh noes, I'm on the Redwood black list!

He's still a goose.

[Woody]

You have the freedom to be who you are here ... that is for sure.

[Liz]

He's a goose.

What does that mean? I have never heard someone called that before.

[Woody]

Welcome to the Adventist Forum ...

[Dr. Shane]

Originally Posted By: Bravus

He's a goose.

What does that mean? I have never heard someone called that before.

I took it to mean he is cooked. He's done. It's over.

I'm not sure what Bravus meant. Maybe that is Australian for something.

I guess he got arrested for drunk driving when he was 18 so this isn't his first issue with substance use.

[Bravus]

It's just a fairly mild Aussie expression for a silly person.

[Pockey]

yeah, probably a million dollar hit from that bong

but he's 23, still a kid. he must be under a lot pressure.

[phkrause]

Doesn't seem to be able to handle money. That doesn't mean that he shouldn't be forgiven. But if he's allowed to get away with this now, he will always think that its OK with some. I think all his sponsors should penalize him for a period of time and than reinstate him. My thoughts!

pk

[Dr. Shane]

I think America has too much of a crisis of poor role-models now. I have no sympathy for him. It was stupid. American kids need good role models that don't do such stupid things. He is lucky he hasn't lost all his sponsors. Kelloggs is to be commended.

[phkrause]

pk

[phkrause]

But dgrimm none have been called on it. There just told oh your just to young to understand what your doing! Bull! They need to pay the consaquences. You know that old saying you reap what you sow. Or if you can do the crime than you can do the time. Or just stand up and take it like a man or women.

pk

[olger]

Oh noes, I'm on the Redwood black list!

He's still a goose.

Indeed.

[phkrause]

Yes dgrimm, lets say to kill someone and ask for forgiveness, God forgives, but you still need to pay for the crime.

pk

[fccool]

The mere hypocrisy of it all bothers me though. The companies that sponsoring him are not concerned with morality. They are concerned with damage to the image of their company.

See, no one cares if Phelps drinks now. He's underage no more. Likewise, I wonder what Kellog would do if smoking MJ was legal in US, just like it is in Amsterdam? Would they distance themselves from Phelps if he was caught renting a porn flick?

The same goes for marketing "sugar shocks" products to children, and making adults believe that cereals are healthy breakfast... thus you have a generation of obese children growing up. And the irony is that they use healthy people like Phelps to make their products appear healthy, while these most likely won't find themselves in Phelps' diet.

So, when Phelps' picture becomes released and is all over the news, that cereal box looks less healthy now... and it should be.

I guess, the other issue is that everyone expects Phelps to be the moral icon, while I hardly think that he should be. His extraordinary abilities are not mental. He swims well. So he gets rewarded millions of dollars for swimming better than anyone in the world. So, instead of pouring millions of dollars into research, and betterment of society... the companies pour it into self-image, because we celebrate the people on the boxes, while in the long run they accomplish little to solve societal problems. Next to nothing. We lift them up to the highest standards, and then we are disapointed when they don't live up to these.

[Dr. Shane]

Those in the public spot light should be held to a higher moral standard as they are looked up to by the youth and many adults. The fact that many are not looked up to doesn't change that fact that they should be. Raw talent shouldn't be enough. In a healthy society celebrities would have to be both talented and moral people in order to find success.

[fccool]

Celebrities never were and never will be. It's all an act... a well crafted by PR and Marketing campaigns to sell something by attaching it to the "celebrity". There are heros... and there are celebrities. Two different things. Heros earn their spotlight, because they do something for people directly. The "service" of the celebrities is usually limited to entertainment.

If you want to see a difference between a hero and celebrity... look up Joe Luis. The guy went broke hounded by the government to the point that his German "nemesis" ended up paying for his funeral. Luis gave it all, even to the point of joining the army for the cause. The causes that the celebrities "fight" today are usually pushed by corporations who merely do it for profit... aka Product(Red) type of causes. It's hilarious. I watched an interview of a major clothing line who were selling $2000 bag for the cause with $50 going to the (Red) fund. It's hillarious.

[phkrause]

Yeah fccool I guess basicly its all about greed. I think your post hit it the nail right on the head.

pk

[Bravus]

On that topic, I wondered whether Kellogs might not have done themselves more harm than good in the marketplace with their over-reaction to the Phelps toke. In the post-boomer world, there may well be a majority who are more annoyed by Kellogs' actions than Phelps.

(But srsly, with the profile he has, how dumb do you have to be, not only to smoke the weed, but to let someone take the photo?)

[olger]

duuuude

[Amelia]

I don't think atheletes should be considered heros. Nor should they be looked up to and worshiped.

[Dr. Shane]

I don't think atheletes should be considered heros. Nor should they be looked up to and worshiped.

I agree but they are and there is no way to stop it. As long as they are felons shouldn't be allowed to be professional athletes. I was dumbfounded when I heard how many felons are in the NFL and NBA. It is downright shameful and those organizations shouldn't allow it.

[phkrause]

But Shane there have been a few very good story's to that effect. I agree not all take that 2nd chance and do something worthwhile. Most just continue in there abusive behavior. I believe because they were given that free pass, at home, at school etc. But once in awhile we hear about that kid that came out the other side because at home, at school etc., he was punished, or at least held accountable for his actions.

pk