US Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps was recently photographed smoking from a bong at a local party.  The backlash has been incredible.  Not only has the media completely blanketed the television and airwaves with the story, but Phelps sponsors have began to pull their sponsorship contracts with Phelps which could mean losses in the millions for him.

As if that weren't enough, the South Carolina State's Attorney is trying to build a criminal case against Phelps to apparently make an example of him.  The kid smoked some pot!!  Big deal!!  I know it's illegal, and I know the 'everyone is doing it' argument isn't really valid, but EVERYONE IS DOING IT!  Personally, it's been a very long time, but I know plenty of people who partake on a regular basis.  In my non-formal, non-backed up estimate, I would say that 15-20 percent of the population smokes at the very least, recreationally.

This kid was an American hero less than a year ago and now we're going to crucify him?  This is obviously a political move by the South Carolina attorney's office.  Several people who attended the same party have now been arrested and charged according to Attorney Joseph McCulloch, who is defending one of said people. This is absolutely ridiculous!

Is smoking marajuana wrong?  That's open to debate, but in the legal sense, yes.
Should people who break the law be punished?  Of course
Should Phelps be punished?  Don't you think he's been punished enough already, seriously, this is a misdimeanor offense that occurs daily in every court in the country and there is very little consequence.  This guy has lost his hero status not to mention millions of dollars.  Enough is enough already.