While I fully understand Phelp's predicament I do wish he had shown more courage. Instead he cowered and agreed that he had made a mistake. Now when was the last time you smoked a cigarette or drank a beer and then apologized because it was a mistake? So if you don't apologize for having a beer than why would you cower and apologize for smoking a joint. After all no one has ever died from smoking a joint while 420,000 Americans die from tobacco and another 240,000 die from alcohol related diseases. And I'm talking every year.

Of course you can understand Phelp's predicament. I believe I had read that he has over 200 million dollars coming to him, over the next few years, from all sorts of company endorsements. Of course Kellog's doesn't look like it will remain one of those companies. But rather than rock the boat, with a little truth, Phelps decided to take the easier, more lucrative path. I can't say that I can blame him as I myself could sure use some of that cash he's getting.

But then again would it not be inspiring if one day, somebody called the game on these "money changers." Would you not have been much more inspired if Phelps, instead of kow towing to the corporate line, just said something like:

"Hey, my work was done for the day. I wasn't even driving anywhere. My budd's (with the exception of the "dick" that sent the photo to the British Press) called me over for a little partying, and we smoked some Marijuana. And the next sponsor that makes an issue of my consensual activities is going to get this bong shoved right up their ass. At least I'm not turning out the next generation of diabetics by pushing these sugar laden boxes of Kellogs "Frosty Flakes" on our youngest, most vulnerable children."

Yep. Unfortunately, only in my dreams. I just don't think there are too many hero's out there anymore.

Yours in Freedom,

Bruce W. Cain
Editor, New Age Citizen