Break out your torches and sharpen your pitchforks, folks, the witch hunt has begun!  Unlike in olden times this doesn’t follow a lack-luster crop or a break out of influenza; this witch hunt is on the heels of one photo, showing one of the most decorated swimmers of our time get “Flickr-ed” while holding a bong at a college party.  By now we all know the story, he’s admitted to the marijuana use and subsequently has lost endorsements and has been suspended from competition for 3 months, but now SC police are in the midst of collecting evidence to bring criminal charges against Phelps. In fact, they have arrested multiple people in the hope of strengthening the case….WHAT?? 

OK, before I rant, I want to spew the same disclaimer you’ve heard since this has started, “What I’m About to Say, Does Not Mean I Condone the Use of Illegal Substances,” but come on….seriously.  My main argument here isn’t that he’s already had his lumps and he admitted to making a mistake.  That’s not it.  My argument is about consistency… 

I want to know if the upstanding Police in South Carolina have a dedicated department to exploring potential “Internet illegal substance use violations”, cause if they do, it’s got to be the busiest department in the country.  Try searching the word “party” on Flickr once and see what you find, I’m sure you’ll see “Grandpa’s Birthday Party” and “Babies First Birthday,” but you’ll also find a hell of a lot of felonies–and we’re not only talking about bong use here.  I’m sure that there will be quite a few “public intoxication” violations, along with some “drunken disorderly conducts,” and if your lucky, “indecent exposure.”  But are any of these people worried about a warrant being issued in their name?  I would wager no, because their name, in the grand scheme of things, is as insignificant as a blade of grass in a field. If the Theory of Law is all about setting precedent, then I suggest that the follow up of any South Carolina arrest of Michael Phelps should be the gathering of all “Internet photo violations” in the Southern State.  The lines at the Court House in Columbia, SC should look like the opening of a new Walt Disney World attraction. 

Look, I’m just an average guy, I live paycheck to paycheck just like a lot of Americans, but at the end of the day, what makes me feel better about this country, isn’t when celebrities are made “Examples” of… it’s when I’m treated just as fairly as the next guy.  I know I’m no Michael Phelps, but I’d like to think that if for some undisclosed reason, I decide to “moon” a bus this weekend and my buddies put it on the web, that I won’t be riding in the back of a squad car a week later.  For once, let’s not get bent out of shape about “right or wrong” and lets just be consistent.

Tags: Consistency, Phelps, Reality 101 Contributors, WTF?!