by Garrett Anderson

Created on: March 17, 2009   Last Updated: March 19, 2009

It's not possible to explain accurately. Were we armed with all of the facts in any given instance, it still doesn't entitle us to judge others or render a verdict. We cannot take responsibility for the world and the good news is that we don't have to. We are not victimized or diminished. The actions of others do not require us to criticize or judge them. In fact, by declaring that we know what is right and assuming that somehow athletes should behave how we want them to is patently ridiculous. That is the same type of controlling and frustrating behavior that plagues humanity and ensures that it will continue. The insanity of the planet. Let's carve this question up and dissect it and reveal what really bothers us.

People from all walks of life use alcohol and drugs. Like it or not, those things are here. None of us individually can control or change that. The only thing that we are in a position to control or change is our perception and emotional response to the use of alcohol or drugs. We are not required to judge those substances as good, bad, or useful nor are we required to judge those who use them. People are free to live their lives as they see fit. We accept that because we know it is fundamentally true.

When Michael Phelps was caught smoking pot, he suffered great consequences. The winner of eight Olympic gold medals for swimming events in Beijing, Phelps lost endorsements ultimately worth millions. He was embarrassed and his friends were charged with crimes. Sportswriters and commentators felt that they had the right to judge Michael Phelps as I sifted through and read various accounts of what they believed should happen to Phelps. Others wrote that Michael was stupid. Michael himself tried to be as honest as possible and admitted that it was a stupid thing to do without making a full blown and public confession, fearing further wrath from South Carolina prosecutors. Michael Phelps is an extraordinary athlete and what he does with his life is up to him. Ultimately only Michael can judge Michael.

The same holds true for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, or any other athlete that wants to risk the ill effects of performance enhancing drugs. They are free to do so. They get to live their lives anyway they want to. I simply reject that I have to judge that or explain that to my child.

I want my children to evolve out of this insane idea that simply because someone does something different than we do, that somehow we are required to judge them or be critical of

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