If Kellogg's Dumps Phelps, We Dump Kellogg's

Michael Phelps' public apology for getting photographed smoking marijuana wasn't enough for the food company, Kellogg's, which announced yesterday that it would not renew its contract with the swimming champion when it expires at the end of the month.

I for one am sick and tired of the public spectacle that transpires every time any public figure gets photographed, arrested or otherwise outed and punished for smoking marijuana. It's not just that Michael Phelps did what millions of other twenty-somethings do; it's that he did what over one hundred million Americans have done at least once in their lives, including the president, former presidents, members of the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court, and a significant proportion of the country's most distinguished businessmen, scholars, artists, entertainers and leaders.

This contemporary flogging reeks of hypocrisy -- of alcohol drinkers and tobacco smokers condemning those who consume a far less dangerous product; of company officials who no doubt smoked marijuana themselves castigating a remarkable athlete for getting caught doing what nobody cares if they did as well; and of sanctimonious handwringers seizing on a public figure's embarrassment to drive home an anachronistic abstinence-only message when it comes to America's favorite illicit psychoactive substance.

Tens of millions of Americans think that the public condemnation of Phelps is a farce. My guess is that a substantial number of them may choose to boycott Kellogg's products in response to its repudiation of Michael Phelps. Will it hurt Kellogg's bottom line if hundreds of thousands of Americans no longer grab a Kellogg's product when they get the munchies? And will it hurt even more if millions of Americans who no longer smoke marijuana, or never did, choose not to buy Kellogg's products because this decision smacks of intolerance and reflects poorly on the Kellogg's brand?

I think it's time to see. My organization, the Drug Policy Alliance, is working -- starting now -- to send Kellogg's this message, and we're joining with others as well. More than seventy percent of Americans say that marijuana should be decriminalized and that no one should go to jail. We agree. In fact, the residents of Kellogg's home state of Michigan recently passed, by an overwhelming margin, a ballot initiative legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. We also think that arresting almost 800,000 Americans each year for possessing a little marijuana is both a stupid waste and diversion of police resources as well as a cruel intrusion into the lives of ordinary Americans. And we're sick and tired of the public outings, and forced apologies and recantations, which perpetuate this shameless hypocrisy.

So let's send Kellogg's a message! Criminal laws and corporate drug testing successfully deter millions of Americans from openly identifying as responsible citizens who happen to smoke marijuana. But a "Call Kellogg's Campaign" that lets the corporation know that their dumping Phelps is good reason for us to dump Kellogg might just make the point that more and more Americans are sick and tired of this particular spectacle.

Just say No to Kellogg's. Call them at 800-962-1413 and 269-961-3799 to tell them what you think.

Ethan Nadelmann is the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance (www.drugpolicy.org)

Comments

[3admgulmer]

Folks, Kelloggs can do want they want with their advertsing and promotions $$$. Their actions have nothing to do with the legalization of weed or even de-criminalization. If using hemp seeds or buds in breakfast cereal were legal, I am sure they would have a Weedy-Woozy Crunch on a grocer's shelf near you. Phelps' actions are embarrassing to himself and obviously to Kelloggs. Nuff said.

The real issue is what would Kelloggs do if their CFO was caught with a half an ounce and a pipe in a routine traffic stop. Retain his job? Be forced to resign? Do 500 hours of community service?

YOU be the judge!!

[kappa08]

it's gutless and hypocritical period...If a boy drawing off a bong while his a55 is parked..." not your BS scenario of a "routine traffic stop" scares you that bad. Then you have much bigger issues than sticking up for an overpriced cereal company that is partly responsible for our Juvenile Diabetes epidemic...Got high fructose corn syrup? soooooooow­wwweeeeeee

...try to find a Kellogs product that isn't laced with HFCS. Good luck.

[kps888]

Kellogg's products are far from healthy. Their mass-produced and processed goop is filled with sugar, high-frutose corn syrup and food additives and dyes made for God knows what.

Their legacy is diabetes, obesity and heart disease wrapped up and sold to people as being good for them. Phelps will miss the money, but in the long run, may be glad they parted ways.

Maybe he should look into a deal with Kashi, something tells me they don't have these issues...

[Malakkar]

FYI: Kashi is owned by Kelloggs:

awesome.go­odmagazine­.com/featu­res/009/00­9buyingorg­anic.html

It's getting harder and harder to do a proper boycott - a lot of research is involved these days.

[retrorio]

I went to their website to see what products they manufacture besides cornflakes. The cereals are the most sugary kind: Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, and Rice Krispies. All sugar and no fiber. They should be banned regardless of whether they renew Phelps's contract or not. The only snack I buy of theirs is the occasional box of Pop-Tarts, but that's easy to give up. My dad eats Cheez-its, so I'll try to see if he'll give them up. I think Michael Phelps should be supported; he set an Olympic record which brought honor to our country. Kellogs is being hypocritcal, since their products aren't healthy to begin with.

[indywoman]

When my second daughter was young, I had the hardest time in the grocery store explaining why I wouldn't buy her junk food!! The money that is spent advertising to small children should be criminal!!

This company should be boycotted for that reason alone, never mind being huge hypocrites that pander to the countries dietary challenged dumbed down families.

If Michael Phelps had been photographed drinking a margarita, imagine how different the response would be?!? He would probably have gotten a lucrative alcohol contract. Even though millions of people die each year due to drunk driving. How many people are killed by smoking pot each year??? How many people are in rehab trying to quit smoking pot? None.

[blogattelle]

I hope we'll thank phelps at last because his case really can change talibans' politics about marijuana; if usa change world all changes too

[KMan1]

What exactly do you expect Kellogg's to do? The company caters to families, you know that group with kids in it? Once that picture hit the airways Phelps no longer had the image that was beneficial to their company. It is irrelevant what anyone thinks about the law, the fact of the matter is it is the law and he was caught breaking it. Direct your energy on changing the law not Kellogg's.

[jimspy]

While we're at it, let's not show our kids any old films of black people defying "white-only" ordinances during the Civil Rights movement. Don't want them to get the wrong idea. It was the law!

Think of the CHILDREN!!!

[hartles]

There are MUCH better reasons to boycott Kelloggs than Michael Phelps. This is just good timing.

You can join the boycott without admitting support for Michael's mistake which as far is we know was appearing in a photo with a suspicious object. Join the boycott because Kelloggs is pushing substances known to kill -- TRANS FATS and HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

Kelloggs is doing Michael a favor. Hopefully, Michael will join the boycott. Look what he's accomplished on THAT diet. Can you imagine what he might be capable of if he consumed 12,000 cal/day of QUALITY FUEL-- that is truly a scary thought. Athens -- 6 GOLDS; Beijing -- 8 GOLDS; London -- 10 GOLDS?

Michael, please join the movements against trans fats and high fructose corn syrup. You could save millions from diabetes and heart disease. Athens -- 6 GOLDS; Beijing -- 8 GOLDS; London -- 10 GOLDS?

Set a good example for America's youth and don't eat Kelloggs. Please don't retire over this nonsense!

[Dennis St John]

I certainly agree wholeheartedly. Phelps should never have copped mea culpa. Nobody now can prove what was in the bong. In the Middle East, tobacco is smoked in bongs. He could have said he was told it was just Turkish tobacco. He tried a puff, coughed and stopped. Who can prove anything any different? Yeah, there were witnesses, but who can PROVE anything? I don't by any means suggest that Phelps is in this class, but one of the first things professional criminals learn is to never cop to a charge. Proving a crime is the prosecutor's job, not the defendent's.

Marijuana was legal as recently as the '1930's. It was criminalized to help stop Mexican immigrants from crossing the border during the great depression, ostensibly taking jobs away from white men and women (as if). Well, gee, that sure worked swell! Billions could be made off hemp (not high THC ganja) if the public would pull their collective heads out of their collective asses. Just as the Canadians, who grow thousands of acres of it with government blessings.

This is, without a doubt, the least informed and most immature nation of morons and cretins on God's green earth.

[izabelli]

Ha, ha, amen to that. Yeah people, look up the history of marijuana and you'll see that's it's been used since about 500 b.c. for medicinal practices. It was actually used here in the U.S. as a pain reliever until aspirin and pharmaceutical drugs came along, which by the way are way more dangerous than pot.

Nope, this is a country of synthetics; synthetic food (thanks Kellogg), synthetic health and synthetic drugs (heavens no, don't use something natural and proven to help pain, here take these chemicals).

[valhalladad]

Letter sent to Kellogg's. Asked what if Phelps had been sponsored by a (high profile beer company? Would that fit a family brand name as well? While we're at ti don't forget to boycott products whose UPC begins with 7-2-9.

[antaeus]

POST Raisin Bran is way better anyway.

[martinchill]

Raisin Nut Bran.

[RoseMerry]

Thank you, DPA! You are doing great work! Keep the faith and let Freedom Ring!

[underoath]

Everbody go to NORML.ORG and vote for you favorite pot commercial which will be on lots of cable channels soon! oh and stop buying kelloggs products!

[donks]

Prop 420?

[soothingactionaction]

I received a response from Kellogg's this evening:

Thank you for contacting us regarding Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps
and our decision not to extend his contract.

We regret that the intent of our message was not clear. The contract
was set to expire the end of February and with Michael's obligations to
us met, our decision not to extend the contract was for business reasons
and in no way diminishes Michael's status as an athlete. We believe
Michael has set a tremendous example through his work ethic and his
accomplishments and are proud to have been associated with him.

The timing of this unfortunate incident and the end of the contract is
purely coincidental. Again, thank you for the opportunity to share the
facts of this situation.

Sincerely,

Kathi Eckler

Director, Consumer Affairs

[captainkona]

Thanx for posting that.

"purely coincidental"

They're lying of course. ;)
Let 'em feel the burn.

[Marc Girouard]

Not only is it a lie, but a blatant one.

From New York Times:

“Michael’s most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellogg,” Susanne Norwitz, a spokeswoman for the company, said in a statement..
“We decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and hero,” the organization said in a statement.

Its really too bad... i loved Cheez-Its so much.

[AnswerToJob]

THANKS for posting that since they are now spinning that it was going to end anyway.
Don't forget to boycott Kashi, UNFORTUNATELY acquired in 2000, and Morningstar Vegan products and Gardenburger.

[indywoman]

Liars. But what do you expect from a company that literally poisons people every day with the garbage they produce?? Hey, I love a bowl of corn flakes as much as anybody, and I love the big cheezits, but I try hard not to buy or eat them. Just think, if I had never been introduced to them, I wouldn't have known what I was missing!!!

The facts of nutrition have been common knowledge for quite some time now. To continue to produce such garbage is not a "family value" that I want in my family!! "eat it because it tastes good" is not a healthy motto.

[jimspy]

Not only is this a lie, it's a NEWSWORTHY lie...I'm hoping Rachel or Keith pick up on this right away,