Well, I'm sure that by now almost everyone out there has heard that 14-time Olympic Medalist Michael Phelps was "busted" smoking the Devil Weed in a photo published in a British Tabloid.
He said he was sorry, said it won't happen again, etc. etc. Old news, right?
Well, I happen to live in the city where the "incident" took place (sounds a bit overblown calling a 3 month old bong-hit an "incident") but stick with me... there's a reason I used that word... because that is what it is turning out to be.
The Sheriff of Richland County, South Carolina, Leon Lott, said yesterday that investigators from the Sheriff's Department will be trying to determine if the photo was taken in his jurisdiction, and if enough evidence is found, Mr. Phelps could be charged with simple possession of marijuana.
As reported on WIS-TV:
Lott said, "I just don't think you can have something like this done in public and apologize and say 'I'm sorry' and then we're supposed to forget about it. He broke the law."
Lott went on to say, "Other people get arrested for that every day. What makes him any different from someone who's on Two Notch Road and we catch smoking a joint or marijuana? They get arrested. They go through the system. He's no different."
Ouch, Sheriff Lott... you may want to back up off that. For one thing, it wasn't done "in public" from what details can be gathered -- it was at a private residence somewhere in the vicinity of the University of South Carolina, and probably within the city limits of Columbia, or on the campus of USC, and the authorities there don't seem too concerned about it. The only proof you have is a 3 month old digital still photo and a public confession / apology by Mr. Phelps. That's a pretty weak case, so why the sudden hard ass?
Is it because "Gangs and Crackheads" are running rampant through our town killing and maiming people for pocket change, and for some reason you put Weekend Pot Smokers and Murderous Crackheads in the same category? You need to re-evaluate that stance, because it makes no sense to a lot of your constituents. We would rather you keep the "crackheads" off the streets by keeping them from walking door to door panhandling for money.
I think you like the IDEA of arresting Mr. Phelps, because it would get you GLOBAL coverage and the biggest ego-feed in the history of SC Law Enforcement, maybe even Sheriff of the Year -- but you may want to reconsider that before the Hounds of Hell (a/k/a The International Press) descends upon the Fortress on Two Notch and discovers the rash of unsolved shootings and violent assaults that have occurred within spitting distance of the Sheriff's Department HQ, yet you decide to use precious investigator resources to track down witnesses on a 3 month old Bong Hit?
Get real, Sheriff Lott, you have bigger fish to fry. It might not get you the same press to arrest the real perpetrators of crime in Richland County, but we would appreciate it. The constant nightclub shootings, Gang Drive-bys, and property thefts are out of hand, and you know it. Once you get all those problems taken care of -- feel free to go after the weekend pot smokers. Until then, quit blowing your own smoke on TV.
In anticipation of Mr. Phelps' arrest the next time he sets foot in Richland County, I have created the "Phree Phelps" T-shirt line.
None of the proceeds go to the Phelps Defense Fund, he's probably got the kind of cash needed to stave off a misdemeanor weed charge stashed in his Speedo.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Well said. First of all there is no case against Mr. Phelps. In order to charge someone with simple possession of a controlled substance they must be caught with the substance in their possession hence the name of the charge. Yes he may have admitted to being the person in the photograph, however there is no proof of it being in Richland County, there is no proof of it actually being marijuana in the bong, and I highly doubt any witnesses will come forward to testify against Mr. Phelps. Leon Lott is a pitiful excuse for a sheriff and after this publicity stunt he should be kicked square in his ass and out the door.
ReplyDelete