As I noted a few days ago, Michael Phelps was caught by a tabloid smoking pot and has since been subjected to all the rampant stupidity inherent in our nation’s misguided crusade against marijuana.

Now, a Very Serious New York Times sports writer gets into the act with this finger-wagging drivel:

Phelps has not denied or confirmed anything. He has instead apologized for setting a bad example, which it most certainly was. No matter how many people defend marijuana and extol decriminalizing it, there are studies that say the stuff is bad for important functions like reasoning, and can lead to worse abuses.

The swimming federation and Kellogg have every right — in fact, a responsibility — to punish Phelps.

Your article on Phelp’s pot smoking was so insightful. God knows you can’t become the #1 world record holder of gold medals or, say, the President of the United States and have yet been a pot smoker. Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were obviously lying when they admitted to smoking weed — it would obviously be impossible for them to rise to such a high status and yet have been polluted by the demon drug.

Now that Phelps has tried the deadly life-destroyer, he is obviously incapable of ever achieving the heights of athletic success he previously enjoyed. It’s too bad that Phelps is now destined to a life of penury, addiction and despair. Kids, take note!!