In case you haven’t seen the bombardment, Michael Phelps was photographed and has admitted to smoking marijuana at a party in SC in November 2008.

Although there is talk of charging him (see link), the general attitude seems to be, “Who cares?”

I do. I watched Michael Phelps break world records at the Olympics. Young children around the world watched him. Popularity increases your influence. How you use or abuse your influence is a matter of interest with God. Getting a worldwide stage and then doping yourself is not just immaturity. It affects people far beyond a small handful.

I’ll say what other people apparently don’t want to say: Michael Phelps should be punished by the governing sports authorities for his admitted use of marijuana. He should submit to the punishment. If he stays clean, he should be allowed back in later.

It seems that his fame matters more to the marketers than his character does. What else is new in a broken world? But not everyone agrees. It will be interesting to see if the sheriff pursues charges or not. It would be a last gasp at showing that character matters.

UPDATE: Apparently Kellogg Co has decided to drop Phelps because of his drug use photo. Good for them.