Pubdate: Sun, 8 Feb 2009
Source: Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK)
Copyright: 2009 Muskogee Daily Phoenix
Contact:  http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3319

ROLE MODEL QUALIFICATIONS

Just because an athlete is a good athlete, that does  not necessarily
make him or her a role model.

We've learned that lesson again with Michael Phelps,  the swimmer who
won a record eight gold medals in the  Olympics last year.

Phelps appeared in a photograph in a tabloid smoking  marijuana. He
has had an alcohol-related arrest in the  past, too. He has
apologized, but he has been suspended  from competition for three
months and a sponsor,  Kellogg Co., said it will not renew Phelps'
advertising  contract.

A spokesman for USA Swimming, the governing body for  competitive
swimming, said Phelps was disciplined  because children look up to him
because he is a role  model and a hero.

Yes, that's true. Many children probably do look up to
him.

But that's not what makes someone a hero or a role  model, and that's
something children, and some adults,  have to learn.

Of course, that doesn't excuse Phelps' behavior, and  he's paying the
price in lost competition and revenue  for his antics. Everyone, even
stars, have to learn  that some behavior is not acceptable, and
wherever you  find humans, you'll find human frailty.

When humans do good things, we should recognize the  good they do.
However, let's remember to put human  ideals on pedestals, not humans,
because they tend to  disappoint us and themselves most of the time.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake