Religion, Sex, and Politics

It made quite a splash (groan) when Olympic Swimming Champion Michael Phelps was caught on camera taking a bong hit. And it seems it will be costing him mega-bucks in sponsorships. I certainly don't wish him ill, but I guess parents have to be relieved that we have an example of an athlete whose improper actions really do have real-world consequences.

To his credit, Phelps publicly expressed embarrassment and regret. We might hear some say, "Yes, but was he sincere." I'd prefer in all such cases to assume sincerity. I am not qualified or able to judge the state of someone else's heart. Behavior is somewhat objective, but the level of remorse can only be judged by God.

And, on some level, I actually feel bad for the guy, for several reasons. First, I have done more than my share of dumb, career-altering things. But I've never been famous enough to warrant being watched 24/7. Nor did my years of peak stupidity occur in the days of cellphone cameras. As the old folks say, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

It wasn't a long, planned-out offense, like a congressman's carefully crafted plan to line his own pockets with secret, under the table deals, a la Duke Cunningham. It appears to have been an "in the moment" lapse in judgment. We've all been there.

And, hey, don't forget that of our most recent Presidents, two of them admitting to smoking marijuana (though one didn't inhale), and the President in the middle spent years battling alcohol abuse. And those facts didn't cost them the Presidency. So I hope there is redemption around the corner for Michael.

I am also not qualified to say with authority which sins are "big" sins and which are "little" sins, but I have to think that abusing marijuana is a much less serious offense than abusing another human being. And there are plenty of famous people - sports figures and others - who use and abuse their fellow human beings regularly. It's just so much harder to photograph that.

So, Michael, thank you for being specific, prompt, and accountable in taking responsibility and apologizing for your indiscretion. I hope I will do as well in my next moment of stupidity.