MICHAEL PHELPS

Re "Out of the pool, Phelps told" (Sports, Feb. 6): The negative
stigma attached to the marijuana plant is one of the most ridiculous
accomplishments of the human race. And the fact that Michael Phelps
is being suspended for indulging in a little God-given herb on his
own time is a tragedy. My congratulations to all you hypocrites out
there for the additional notch you just put in your belt in promoting
the lie that marijuana is so terrible and awful, and it will ruin
your life ... all for the purpose of continuing to fund an unwinnable
drug war and keep the coffers of the prison-industrial complex nice
and healthy. I raise my legal gin and tonic to you. Here ... have a cigar!

- - Ned Sykes, Sacramento