The sheriff going after Michael Phelps is committing a miscarriage of justice, attacking Phelps only for his fame.

MITCHELL BLATT

Usually, you see rich people getting away with murder or having no charges filed against them because of their fame.

This time, Michael Phelps may face charges for being photographed smoking marijuana simply because he is famous.

Michael Phelps was photographed by tabloid paparazzi types smoking a bong, and that image was printed in the bastion of journalistic integrity know as News of the World.

Now some people are saying he’s setting a bad example and might suffer losing sponsorships, but that’s not going to happen. He won eight gold medals this year, he’s the only swimmer anyone has ever heard of, and he had positive image before this one minor problem. Many of his sponsors have made comments supporting him, including the watchmaker Omega, which called it what it was, a “non-issue.”

Phelps isn’t setting a bad example by doing something at the privacy of a party that some dirtbag photographer decided to chronicle. The photographer is setting a bad example.

Now as for this sheriff who is setting a bad example, he’s a South Carolina sheriff named Leon Lott. Lott said, “This case is no different than any other case.” The difference is the photo wouldn’t have been published if Phelps weren’t famous, and Phelps apologized, admitting to smoking marijuana, afterwards, which Lott says is a “partial confession.”

Again, Phelps wouldn’t have had to apologize and confess if he weren’t famous. If Lott did find some random kids’ photo of them smoking marijuana, I doubt he’d pursue it vigurously. But since Phelps is a celebrity, Lott probably wants to set an example of him by pursuing a case that he wouldn’t if Phelps were a normal person.

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