Yes, we're still standing, but America has NEVER had this kind of assault on so many fronts at the same time. One party is completely in control and hell-bent on implementing "by force, if necessary" their radical agenda. Obama's mentors, heroes, influences are all radicals - not leftists with left leaning democratic ideals, but radicals with socialist and communist ideals AND the desire and determination to completely shift the paradigm. Saul Alinksky, William Ayers and Jeremiah Wright are not Democrats, but radicals. Obama was in Wright's church for 20 YEARS. Baptised his kids. Alinsky book, "Rules for Radicals" is Obama's playbook, and Obama launched his campaign for Congress in Ayers living room. Obama’s mysterious mentor “Frank” in Obama’s book "Dreams from My Father" was Communist Party member Frank Marshall Davis (the Obama campaign eventually confirmed Frank’s identity.) Obama has surrounded himself in his administration with admitted socialists and communists: Van Jones, Carol Browner and Ezekiel Emmanuel. Clearly, this is no longer a couple of random people in Obama’s life but instead a scary trend that makes it clear Obama wants these people around him. He must agree with their philosophies and ideas to some degree, otherwise why keep them around? These are significant influences and Obama has embraced their viewpoints and goals. Irish67 your comment that we should "Sit back and enjoy, knowing that our country is not going to be transformed into either a socialist commune or a draconian police state." is ignorant, to say the least. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." William Burke

Criminalization of marijuana is what is harmful to our society. Putting people in jail for smoking pot is what is harmful to our society. Look at studies comparing drug use between Dutch citizens/children and American citizens/children. The countries in the world with more relaxed drug laws have far fewer societal problems than America does with our harsh and ridiculously inconsistent drug policies. No one is advocating 12 year olds be allowed to smoke pot, but kids are just future American citizens and adults should be allowed to make up their own minds. Teach kids responsibility. Don't lie to them about how harmful marijuana is. When they find out for themselves, and they will sooner or later, they will not believe anything else you say about drugs. The sheep who cried "wolf" anyone? Obviously, the US government's War On Drugs isn't working is it? Every year more people try crack, meth, heroin, alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana than the year before. If you want to know the absolute truth about marijuana and it's criminalization, then research it yourself!

This isn't the first time Michael has smoked pot, so it just shows once again, for all the uninformed people out there, that marijuana has no detrimental affect. "Just say NO" is a comical punch line and D.A.R.E. is a complete failure. Scientific study after scientific study report that D.A.R.E. does not actually decrease drug use among kids. Some studies even have indicated that there is an INCREASED rate of drug use among D.A.R.E. graduates. In 2001, the Surgeon General of the United States placed the D.A.R.E. program in the category of "Does Not Work". We spent over $1 Billion (that's with a "B", people) last year on a program that probably INCREASES drug use. At least little Johnny and Suzie signed their D.A.R.E. pledge and got a sticker! It doesn't matter that it makes them more likely to try drugs does it? You get to put that "I Care, D.A.R.E." bumper sticker on your car. I'm sure a lot of you think - "at least we tried." Pathetic, really, because you people that are all upset by this have no FACTS or real evidence that recreational or casual us is harmful.

Depending on which research study you look at, between 40% and 50% of all Americans have tried pot at least twice. 15%-20% smoke marijuana regularly. Over 80% of all Americans favor the medical use of marijuana and 75% think pot should be decriminalized. Look the statistics up yourselves! Do you realize how many people are in jail for common marijuana related offenses while we let out child rapists, murderers, and thugs early because our prison population is overcrowded. Priorities people! You say Michael Phelps is different? Surely he is exceptional, but his pot smoking behavior hasn't hurt his performance has it? There are many studies that document the fact that people who use pot occasionally as a "reward" for hard work, studying, and even just plain recreationally are higher achievers than those who have never tried marijuana.

This should not matter to so many people. At least he didn't get caught smoking cigarettes like President Obama does. Isn't "The Messiah" a role model? Where's the same indignation directed at Obama for engaging in a behavior that is PROVEN TO KILL. What Michael Phelps does in his private life is nobody's business. Didn't people learn anything from President Clinton? Why do people always use the "role model" argument every time they don't like something that someone does? He didn't do anything that almost every college student does at one time or another. Depending on which research study you look at