Petition To Kellogg’s

Good. Kellogg makes the right call.Until marijuana is legal, it’s not. Ask me if I give a damn about Phelps losing an endorsement deal, when young kids – especially black kids, go to juvenile and have their records tainted by marijuana possession? No. No I do not.Illegal is illegal. If you want to organize a civil disobedience around the issue of marijuana – then do that. Organize mass smoke ins in front of police, and have them arrest you. But that isn’t what happened. What happened is Michael Phelps was just having fun, doing something illegal. And he got caught, and lost his contract. As it should be.QT

Driving drunk is illegal. Phelps did that. It’s also a LOT more dangerous. Kellogg’s had no problem with that – they kept him.Hypocrites.Also, marijuana is more or less legal in 25% of our states – 13 states have passed laws about marijuana.

~who cares~

I signed it. Even though I was always more of a soft taco kind of munchie person myself. Luckily, the Del Taco down the street from my college dorm was open 24 hours.

Also Queen – I’m not saying YOU should sign it. If all the illegal Americans who use an illegal plant (think about that concept) stopped using Kellogg’s products, they’d be out of business. That’s the target market..And while’s it’s easy to joke about, it’s a serious issue. I know people whose option OTHER than medical marijuana are pills they numb you out, cause nightmares and can kill you.

Was Phelps in any one of those states at the time? Have any of those states legalized recreational marijuana? Is Phelps making a claim of medical necessity? Or, is Phelps modelling reckless, illegal behavior?One step further. Are there pictures of Phelps driving drunk? Because, Kellogg is using Phelps for image. No picture of Phelps driving drunk, no image problem. Public memory is short. PICTURE of Phelps with the bong? Not really the Kelloggs fresh healthy morning image. Company has every right to reject – just from a business pov. But I’ll concede this – he should lose ALL endorsements for DUI. I’ll sign THAT petition. Two wrongs don’t make a right.QT

Hey Queen Tiye, how do you know there was marijuana in that bong? They can be used for tobacco too! Is tobacco illegal?

I don’t know anything at all, except that Phelps didn’t claim tobacco in the bong. He had every right to do so, and it was in his self-interest to do so. He didn’t. AND, from the pov of Kellogg – tobacco bonging would be just as much of an image problem. Heck – cigarette smoking would be just as much of a problem. They picked Phelps because of his clean fresh Olympian image – now tarnished and splashed all over the internet in tainted form.People who intend to make money off of their image ought to guard it very carefully.QT

You’re not wrong that Kellogg’s has every right to sponsor whoever they want. Beyond that, you’re on the moon. Per usual.

I’m with QT on this one. Phelps blew it.Yes, smoking pot should not be a crime – but it is (especially on SC where the picture was taken).Kellogg has every right to not renew the contract. If they were trying to break off a longer term contract, it might be a bit different, but their contract expires, and they have chosen not to renew.

I do have to point out a historic moment in GDAB history however – Travis actually seems to agree with Lee on this issue!!

>>>People who intend to make money off of their image ought to guard it very carefully.Agreed, QT. Due to the current climate in our country regarding “good” drugs and “bad” drugs, it was a dumbass move on Phelps’s part.>>>They picked Phelps because of his clean fresh Olympian image – now tarnished and splashed all over the internet in tainted form.The problem with this argument is that much was made about his DUI arrest during the ’08 Olympics. It was obvious from the get-go that Phelps was no goody two-shoes. Kellogg’s was okay with a convicted drunk driver representing their product, but suddenly grew a conscience when it was marijuana? As Lee mentioned, it’s complete hypocrisy.Of course, I personally feel that marijuana should be legalized, so my own prejudices come into play here.And I gotta take issue with one more thing, QT:>>>the Kelloggs fresh healthy morning imageReally? The company who makes Pop-Tarts, Frosted Flakes and Fruit Loops is worried about being healthy? My kid doesn’t even know that Fruit Loops exist because I worry he’ll turn bright orange if he eats them.

I don’t quite get why Kellogg doesn’t see this as a problem. If anything, wouldn’t it actually increase sales among those who get the munchies?If it were me I would have supplanted that pic with a pic of Phelps pouring a box of Frosted Flakes down his gullet with a caption reading:InhalingThanks QT. I really enjoy seeing people getting wrapped up in legalism because there’s no way you personally can maintain the high standards of legality that you set forth. No snark intended. I’m just genuinely amused.That said, I’m 100% in agreement about alcohol/DUI. Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it any less negative.

he was crazy for admitting what he was smoking. deny deny deny what they can’t prove. that’s 101 in “i’m busted” times! and he was in south carolina…i am surprised they didn’t issue an “america’s most wanted” on him!

Thanks QT. I really enjoy seeing people getting wrapped up in legalism because there’s no way you personally can maintain the high standards of legality that you set forth.

What the heck does that mean?And, regarding Kellogg’s “healthy” image – what are you guys talking about? Isn’t Tony the Tiger pushing exercise right along with Frosted Flakes?Look – I’m not saying that Kelloggs IS healthy. I’m saying they are SELLING a healthy image. There’s a difference. My son doesn’t eat that garbage either. That doesn’t mean I don’t get the marketing concepts here…QT

Alan has it right. Kelloggs decided not to renew their contract, so it was a fortuitous situation for them to save some dough.That said, it’s a freaking cereal endorsement. All of Phelps’ other endorsements are intact, but when you moronically cop to a photo of you hitting a bong that no one can tell is even you, there’s going to be some blowback. All around dumb move on his part and hopefully he just learned a million dollar lesson.I say all of this without even getting to the issue of legalizing marijuana which I agree with, but feel this Phelps debacle is a tiny, tiny drop in that bucket. He’s still rich while other people now have criminal records.However, to take a potshot at Kelloggs, they didn’t seem to mine when he tore up Vegas after the Olympics and went through strippers and booze like it was the antidote. (Not that I’m denying they aren’t. I understand how medicine works.)

Well, this got frontpaged at the Huff…Also – did everyone here know my ‘interview with a pot dealer’ a few days ago was a REAL interview with a REAL medical marijuana dealer, not a work of comedy fiction?huffPost filed it under comedy….

When I was a kid, I inhaled frequently – that was the point… maybe a little blow.

You got shafted, Lee, because that was a great piece. Nice to know the Feds can just stop by a medical marijuana dealer and scoop up all the free weed they want. As long as they call it a “raid” of course.”Alright, we’re, uh, here to confiscate this contraband for the law jurisdictional – stuff. Sir, do you keep any Ho-Ho’s behind the counter? Maybe some Good & Plenty’s, I’m not gonna be picky. Wanna watch a movie?”

I actually read your piece on my handheld, so I didn’t notice where it was filed. But yes, I knew it was a real story. I found much to agree with you on. But then – I don’t think that any of the drugs should be “legal” (and I also don’t think they should be “illegal” per se… I think there’s a somewhere in-between category where there’s legal but not criminal consequence).QT

PS – Travis and I don’t agree because he was rude and insulting to QT. I know QT’s position on this subject, I respect it, and I don’t agree. I assume the same is true for her with my position…But I didn’t call her names, nor would.Travis will catch up with the times eventually…HOPE!

Well I found something I can agree with you on mister Stranahan.So he smoked a joint? Who cares. Thats his business. It doesn’t hurt anyone, not even himself.Lets castigate the real criminals of the world.

Thank you, Lee. And yes, I’m all for mutual respect, and have a high degree of respect for you. QT

Friction, how is QT not doing illegal things setting an impossibly high standard? How is that so hard to maintain? Snark intended.

>>> huffPost filed it under comedy….That’s strange. I don’t remember the article being particularly funny. Great piece though, I didn’t realize the extent of what those guys are going through.Right on about the Kellog’s ban.QT – I agree with most of what you’ve said on the subject. The only thing I’d add is that the reason we smokers get so up in arms about this sort of thing is that it’s tangentially related to the massive injustice of marijuana being illegal. Personally, I’m not all that upset that Kellog’s dropped Phelps; I’m upset that marijuana is still illegal, due to what seems to be a combination of ignorance, tradition, and spinelessness on the part of the few legislators who have any common sense (Barney Frank being the most high-profile exception). Personally, I’m willing to direct rage/indignation at just about anything that even remotely contributes to the undeserved stigma that continues to be attached to a virtually harmless godamn plant. Including a company that makes cereal.

Yes, Lee I knew it was real, and thought it was good. Yet HuffPo buried it, don’t think I would have found it if you hadn’t put a link here to it. I have a problem caring one way or the other about the Kellogg’s thing. Its a big corporation, doing what big corporation’s do, they have no personal connection to Phelp’s, and when his “brand” became less than stellar, they cut their losses. And Phelps is learning a good lesson –that the media loves to build up their heroes, and then knock them down. I read somewhere, and agree, that if I were Phelps I’d be looking for the person who took the photo and passed it on.

Lee is the template for “old guy on the internet”.

I totally agree with QT and Elena – it’s not about drugs, it’s about marketing.Should pot be legal? Maybe, but it’s not.Should Kellogg’s market to potheads with the munchies? Maybe, but they don’t.The bottom line is that Kellogg’s tries to sell its products to kids (meaning parents of kids) as contributing to a wholesome, active lifestyle. “Yay, let’s all eat Frosted Flakes and go play soccer!”Now, we jaded adults see through that, and know all about what pot’s really like, but does Lee really think for an instant that a company with that marketing strategy is going to keep a spokesperson who’s been caught doing something illegal? Especially something that presses so many Nervous Suburban Mom buttons as pot? Come on.

Hi rogect8. Are you new? Welcome. QT

He should get a contract with cereal people actually want to eat while stoned, like Captain Crunch or Fruity Pebbles.

Normally, I don’t enter into the “Lee Stranahan vs. Whomever” frays, being content to read the thread and enjoy the debate.I have to comment on this one, though.Sorry, Lee. No Kellogg’s petition signing for me.Being a firm believer in Picking My Battles™, this one for which I will not take up the cudgel.To me, the issue here is not about whether or not pot should be legalized. It’s about Michael Phelps fulfilling his contractual obligations.You yourself stated: “Driving drunk is illegal. Phelps did that. It’s also a LOT more dangerous. Kellogg’s had no problem with that – they kept him. Hypocrites.”So: Kellog’s makes a major mistake by not canning Phelps immediately for the first violation of his contract and the law.You are now making a case that because his first crime was far more serious, Kellogg’s should grant Phelps a free pass on the second crime.That makes no sense.It’s like saying that Dick Cheney, Alberto Gonzales and George Bush should get a free pass for firing DOJ attorneys who wouldn’t carry out the White House political agenda, because water boarding detainees was much worse.The pot laws ARE stupid.But making Kellogg’s a whipping boy for decriminalizing marijuana makes as much sense as invading Iraq to punish Saddam Hussein because 9/11 occurred.I really think that Michael Phelps will somehow manage to survive financially, and will probably get a few extra talk show appearances before this is all over.When there are real, immediate problems out there to deal with, this Big Issue™ is, for me, a non-starter.

But shouldn’t he be dropped for stupidity alone? He has multimillion dollar endorsement deals, and he goes and does something as stupid as this–an action that will jeopardize these contracts. And don’t give me that “He’s just a kid.” Twenty-three is not a kid. At 23 one hasn’t been a “kid” for five years.

He was 19 when the picture was taken

According to CNN and others, the picture was taken this past November.

Lee, if you take a small hammer and whack me right under my patella I’m likely to kick you in the face. I’m prone to a similar knee-jerk reaction to stupidity posing as public policy.This isn’t about Phelps or getting high this is about the American brand of propaganda. If people will believe lies about the drug war then they’re already in place for the ENDLESS GWOT!

Travis, the picture was taken in November 2008. But incredible job commenting on a subject you know next to nothing about.You’re the template for “Aren’t I so badass on the Internet?”

Dude.

Oh Redmond, you’re so easily butthurt by proxy. You really need to find a few causes of your own.

Sorry, I should address you by your title “REDMOND: MICHAEL PHELPS EXPERT: EXPERT ON MEANINGLESS MEDIA SCANDALS SINCE 2009″Mea culpa

Redmond, you’re wasting your breath arguing with Travis. He’s never wrong, just ask him.

Kellogg produces over processed, sugar packed crap and passes it off as food. It can be argued that they are a large contributor to the declining health of our country due to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Phelps, as an athlete had no business endorsing their shit in the first place. He might as well have been endorsing Camels.Maybe he should instead be in Oregon endorsing my friend’s awesome strain of kick ass, bust head, medical marijuana. It is guaranteed to give you stress relief from the kind of corporate bullshit that we are daily forced to endure.

Thanks QT!I started lurking a few months before the election and have posted sporadically. I love this community, specifically for discussions like this one.

I think the larger point is that Kellog is also marketing to me. Not just “Nervous Suburban Mom[s]” So the point is to make it clear to Kellog that if they want Me to buy their productions they will have to behave differently. They make their choices based on their perceived opinions of their customers (not necessarily the actual opinions about their customers). I tend to believe that a lot fewer of their customers are concerned about pot smoking than they believe. It is the same way that the debate about abortion in this country is kept vital and alive despite overwhelming support for legal safe abortion. Whoever complains loudest wins. The anti-drug scolds have been the loudest for a long time. My hope would be for those of us who are more moderate to make it clear that moderation is something that we will reward.