My Hero...Michael Phelps

He is one of history's best athletes of all time, and was the darling of the world Olympics last year in China. And even though Kelloggs (of Battle Creek, Michigan) has dropped Michael Phelps like a burning roach, I think he is someone we can all look up to. (and not just because he is so tall.)

Last week's Newsweek had a full page story on the saga of the bong-wielding Phelps photo and the bizarre aftermath of that cell phone pic that made it around the world in 30 minutes. Seems that Sheriff Leon Lott is a bit of a camera ham himself. According to Newsweek, locals in Richland County, South Carolina say the most dangerous place to be is between their sheriff and a news camera. He recently sent expletive shouting deputies with a battering ram into the campus party house where the illegal pot-smoking took place over 3 months ago. They found a gram of "marihuana" which is worth about $3 and could probably get several people high. The cost to taxpayers? ...thousands of dollars in undercover overtime, I'm sure. And then there is the cost to the fraternity to replace the slintered door.

They have not decriminalized any use of marijuana in the South, and we all know life is very different in the southern states. But I suspect that there is plenty of real crime in Richland County South Carolina, and I can't help but wonder if those sheriff's deputies could have spent their time in a more useful way tracking down thieves, burglars, or car-jackers.

And does Kellogg's realize how many pop-tarts they sell to stoners?

We live in a society based on denial. Maybe someday we can chill out about marijuana and the millions of adults who have used it for decades, and focus on actual dangers and risks in society that impact our health in serious ways.