Phelps Apologizes for Marijuana Pipe Photograph - NYTimes.com

The Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps quickly acknowledged his poor judgment after a photograph showing him inhaling from a marijuana pipe was published Sunday in a British newspaper.

I think its time for people to get over their puritan streak when it comes to pot. I understand that the spineless corporations are not going to take a stand any time soon, but Phelps really should just say "Taking your money does not make me a slave to your corporate image..."

Or does it...?

None of his endorsers are going to take a stand for Phelp's privacy rights when they are paying for the image of Phelps that they want to use for their own benefit. They feel like giving him money gives them control over him when in fact the guy is a damn good swimmer and that's in no part thanks to the corporations and their money. They buy credit and get spooked when they get a real person as part of the deal.