http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/phelps-draft/?scp=8&sq=china&st=cse The finger-pointing in the reader's comments just makes me crack to death. I am in deep worry of this country's future for such ignorance and stupidity from it's mass. At the behest of a sponsor, Michael Phelps has recorded a video apology to the people of China, expressing his remorse over the recently published pictures of him using a mar1juana pipe and thanking them for their support and forgiveness. The 52-second video has been posted on several Web sites in China, and one major Chinese newspaper said the video had been sent directly from the Japanese auto company Mazda, which last month signed Phelps to an endorsement deal believed to be worth more than a million dollars. Phelps was signed to promote Mazda cars in China after his record-breaking eight-gold-medal performance at the Beijing Olympics last summer. In the video, Phelps begins by saying, “To my Chinese friends,” and goes on to apologize for behavior that was “regrettable and not what people have come to expect from me.” Phelps’s words are subtitled in Chinese. Phelps, 23, never specifically addresses what the picture captured, which was Phelps at a house party in South Carolina appearing to inhale from a mar1juana pipe. After it was published in a British tabloid, the backlash has included a three-month suspension by USA Swimming and a police investigation. Another of Phelps’s sponsors, Kellogg, announced it would not renew his contract. But Mazda apparently decided an apology to the Chinese would suffice. The company issued a statement saying it would continue its sponsorship of Phelps. “His expression of remorse and his determination to make amends, and especially his video apology and expression of thanks to the Chinese people, give us confidence that Phelps can make a healthy return to the pool and have even more brilliant achievements,” the statement said. Mazda joins other sponsors of Phelps, like Visa, Omega and Speedo, that have decided to stick with him. Phelps’s deal with Mazda is said to be the most lucrative sponsorship deal for a foreigner in China.
Looks like majority of people in this country doesn't think smoking mar1juana is a big deal, so why don't legalize it?
Dear China, I'm sorry for all the weed I've ever smoked. Can I have my Million Dollars now? My connection prefers unmarked 20's. Yours Truly, VooDooPope
People may try harder drugs as some people are attracted by it being illegal. This rebellious nature, and it being unhealthy for you are really the best arguments against it. I'm for legalizing it though. Purely for the tax benefit.
Decriminalize it, tax the hell out of it, watch Amsterdam-style coffee shops pop up all over the place, and watch the recession disappear!
Hi, Michael, no biggie, could you just ask Mazda to renew your contract as we suggest? We trust that you a nice good county boi
I don't think people are going to start shooting heroin because mar1juana becomes legal, and vaporizers pretty much eliminate health issues.
vaporizers don't get you as high though. Burning it creates more chemicals. vaporizers are more like just eating it.
I don't see the problem. Mazda wants to sell cars. Phelps wants his millions of endorsement money. And apparently the Chinese folks are more likely to accept Phelps if he apologizes. Seems like a win-win situation to me. In the end, it's all about the $$$$.
