flipborder02 (anonymous) says...

Glad he didnt get suspended he has a really good chance at starting.

September 10, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

This, his chance at starting, is probably why they didn't suspend him.

September 10, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...

I wonder if Arthur will get suspended. Weren't they in his room when the incident occured?

September 10, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

remlap101 (anonymous) says...

No need to hold any multi-million dollars babies accountable here is there? Guilt by association is still guilt. Lack of judgement is ignorance. Check your motives.

September 10, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ChicagoJHawk (anonymous) says...

remlap,

they were fined $20000 & have to repeat the program next year. It's not like they just got off scot free.

September 10, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

I wonder what the take of the other KU-NBA rookies was on this situation...

September 10, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ESUjayhawk (anonymous) says...

yates,

He would have been suspended by the NBA and not just his team... I doubt that the NBA really cares about his chances of starting

September 10, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

doctorWho (anonymous) says...

People, if you think the Chalmer/Arthur event is screwy and that they have let these gentlemen off light, let me remind you what they do to their real league darlings. Here is the beginning of an article from 2004:

"DENVER --Carmelo Anthony was cited for marijuana possession while boarding the team plane last week, though the Denver Nuggets star says the bag was left in his backpack by a friend. "

What happened to Anthony? Nothing. His friend took the bullet for him and that was the end of it.

September 10, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

remlap...

that is some gem... I'm going to have to remember that...

"Guilt by association is still guilt"

The next time I want to sound like a totally ignorant jackass.... I'm going to use that one. Do you mind? I'll still be sure to give you credit for it.

Seriously, I spent time almost every week of my college life hanging out with good people who smoked weed daily. They were/are overall responsible people who did well in school and now have good careers and nice families that they do very well for. Some of them still smoke it regularly. They're probably BETTER people than some of you who are so judgemental.

You're saying that even though I NEVER smoked any form of marijuana in college, I am guilty of it just for associating with these very good people? These are people I'd let have the keys to my apartment when I went home for the weekend. I'd trust them with my children. There's nothing wrong with them... not even the fact that they knowingly choose to break the law.

Not meaning to go religious on here... but who do you think Jesus would be associating with? He hung out with beggars and theives... not the socially accepted "good people". So you are saying "Sorry Jesus, you are GUILTY!!!! You shouldn't be hanging out with these bums!"

People need to drop the whole ignorant perception that someone who breaks the law is a bad person, and the perception of what someone who smokes marijuana is. I do not smoke it. I never will. I simply do not enjoy it. But you know what? I don't obey the law like a drone because that's the only way to prove my worth to society. Most of you wouldn't say crap about it if it was legalized. So people judge those who use it based on the merits of some politicians who have their own agendas.

September 10, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

WilburNether (anonymous) says...

Jocks can get away with crimes and/or misconduct, and there will always be some idiot fans making excuses for them.

September 10, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

plasticJHawk - I was wondering the same thing. Since it was Arthur's room, he might receive a more severe penalty.

The Dude - I may need to borrow your car later this week ;)

September 10, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ESUjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Lebowski.

Well said El Duderino... I once broke the law and got a speeding ticket... Does that make me a bad person??? How about jaywalking and parking tickets also???

September 10, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Thx ESU. My friends and I were regulars at the bar as minors and some people chose to pick fights for us and we'd never back down. Some might choose to think this made me some sort of thug!

tx... that would be no problem.. but my car got stolen, along with my tapedeck and my CCR!

September 10, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

plotku (anonymous) says...

OK OK we get it, some of you smoked pot and think there is nothing wrong with it.
Can you get in trouble for smoking it? Yes
Can you get in trouble for buying it? Yes
Can you get in trouble for selling it? Yes
Is pot illegal in most instances? Yes
I am not going to sit here and say they are bad people, cause I don't know them. And I am not going to sit here and try to justify what they did in comparison to other NBA athletes, cause frankly I don't give a $hit. But being a lifelong Kansan, and I lifelong Jayhawk fan I know how much I used to idolize the Jayhawk Basketball players when growing up. DO I care if some Mizzou tiger gets busted, sure it's funny and I laugh, But it sucks to think that there more kids out there now that idolize these guys, and this is the example they are given. And for the people that have troubles grasping that. . . I am sorry for you.

September 10, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

approx (anonymous) says...

Lebowski, I liked your post. Something in it cracked me up though....

"You're saying that even though I NEVER smoked any form of marijuana in college, I am guilty of it just for associating with these very good people?"
"I do not smoke it. I never will. I simply do not enjoy it."

How do you know you don't enjoy it? You never did it. :)

September 10, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

"In college" :)

You notice I don't say "I never DID"

I tried it a time or two in high school... quickly figured out it isn't my thing.

September 10, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

Lebowski, your pothead friends are a bunch of losers. I hope their "good careers" don't involve puting the lives of others in their hands.

September 10, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Lebowski - NOT THE CCR!! I hope you at least have the reel-to-reel back-up copy ;)

September 10, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

LOL tx. If only my briefcase full of business papers wasn't in the trunk... I'd be able to afford a new one!

Strikewso, I respect the opinion of a great deal of the posters who somewhat share your stance. But calling people you've never met "losers" strongly suggests you're rather naive to the variety of people who use it, and the variety of ways it is used. Not everyone who uses it is trying to lose all motor function. Some people use it more responsibly than others. Not everyone is trying to get high as a kite and trying to push toxicity and impairment to its limits. The only reason that it is thought of as illegal because some really conservative politicians likely believe that making it legal might cost them votes. Hell, they wanted to impeach Clinton for doing it once. Not everyone does it wrecklessly in public with no regard for those that don't like to smell it. Some do, and I am not real fond of that. But there is another type of person that I don't think you realize exists.

It's much like people use alcohol in different ways... like in moderation... or in abundance. The difference in the perception between the two rests almost entirely on the legality of it.

Are my friends "losers" because they don't conform to the law?

I'd strongly suggest that the losers are people who conform every aspect of their lives to what greedy politicians and hypocritical law enforcement officials say they should do.

Anyway, you'd like my friends you call losers. You'd probably be impressed with them as athletes and you'd admire them for their humility, their humor, their generosity and all the other many virtues they have. Then, a month later, when you find out they use marijuana recreationally, would you totally be like "oh my god, you guys have been losers all along!"?

I don't think you would. I think you'd realize not everyone fits a stereotype that you're trying to put them in.

September 10, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

truefan (anonymous) says...

I can accept the fact that Arthur and Chalmers set a bad example for youth, but some people are saying that because they are star athletes they got away scot free....last time I checked, $20,000 isn't scot free. If I was caught in the same situation I would be charged with misdemeanor possesion and sit in jail for a night...much better than the $20,000 fine they got. Not to mention, no one other than my immediate friends and family would know about it, unlike these two who litterally have the entire sports nation laughing at their mistake...again, this is much worse than what would happen to me. If you ask me, they got it much worse than they should have and a suspension on top of it would just be unreasonable.

September 10, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Just because the first headline by ESPN made them guilty, don't forget there's a good chance they didnt do it. While staying at a hotel with a friend, if a few cute women knock, how many of us would have let them in? If they bring in a backpack is it ours? If they lock themselves in the bathroom and set off the smoke alarm without us even knowing what the heck is going on, are we guilty? We, nor ESPN, nor Stern, know any facts other than women were let in and set off a smoke alarm in a locked bathroom....

September 10, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ESUjayhawk (anonymous) says...

I find it a little funny and ironic that Strikewso became a member to this site on 4-20

September 10, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

Obviously, the prevalence and exposure (and use) in a large enough sample of college age kids will result in the maelstrom of comments as above and recently about marijuana...Thinking about it all from my own perspective when I was 20 yrs old (and LESS decided about the issue), I remember people talking about it, doing it, seeing it. Yeah I tried it once, and it did nothing for me. I also recall thinking in high school and college that I didnt want to be "offline" as I always thought I had a lot of other interests, that I just never had the time to sit around or be part of that scene or clique...and this from someone who grew up in the 80s (i luv the 80s) and was (and is) ALL about guitar rock. So Ive seen and known alot of people that used it, but I was too busy working on guitar riffs and solos to try to "live the life". No, I never had the big rocker-dude hair, or a mullet. Any of you recall the concerts at the KS Coliseum when here would come a 'communal' joint being passed down the line?...anyway, that scene was all about the music for me...Yeah, I would have a beer with anybody, but just never really worried about the drugs. And when it did make the news, it was about some famous person getting caught, or sufferring some pitfall of their drug use. Just figured at the time I didnt need anymore headaches. Other people's business is how I looked at it when I was in college...

September 10, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

NameWithheld (anonymous) says...

I once had a Medical School student tell me that if everyone who smoked on occasion got kicked out of school, the class would be cut in half. Further I am in medical school currently and know for a fact that some of the kids getting the highest marks across the board use MJ recreationally (not irresponsibly or excessively). You may stop going to the doctor as a result of this, but I am far more concerned about those who binge drink and drive around like idiots (of which there are not few).

As for the legality of what went on in that room, if anyone else had been in that situation the police or anyone else would not have been called and no charges would have been filed: there was no paraphernalia or drugs found in the room. They were violating the rules of the NBA, not of the USA.

Finally. It was stupid of them to risk their reputations at an event they HAD to know would be under increased scrutiny. But you should accept their apologies and hold of any terminal judgment until they are either found to be guilty or repeat an offense.

September 10, 2008 at 11:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kvskubball (anonymous) says...

Oh boy, we do like to dwell on the negative, huh?!

These two have been castigated, laughed at, and made fun of in the national media. I hope they learn from the incident and don't make the same or similar mistake again. That's what I try to do - live and learn.

Hey, LEBOWSKI -- I don't have a PiledhighandDeep in pharmacology, and I don't know how bad weed is for a person. However, there might be some medical as well as political reasons for it being illegal. It is perhaps possible. And you lost the CCR, as Roy liked to say --dang!!
You also need to disambiguate your Jesus story. You say that Jesus hung out with people who were not the good people but you say (loosely) that your friends who smoke pot are good people, better than most ignorant drones . So, would Jesus be hanging out with your friends or not? I guess I just get confused easily.

But I want to chat about BASKETBALL!!!!

KU has a really respectable nonconference schedule this year! Athlon's Annual is out and after perusing it, I think it will be a real challenge for a young KU team, and a treat for the fans. But we may be wearing sackcloth and crying woe is we (or is it us?) a few times this season after a flaming loss.

Notes:
Potentially playing 6 teams forecast to be first or second in their respective conferences.

Seven or more opponents have a player picked to be conference player of the year. We don't know if KU will play Florida or Syracuse in the CBE.

Something different --- Athlon only ranks KU's incoming class as the 11th best. Other's have ranked it as high as #2.

I don't want to ruin all of your fun, go buy it yourself!

And lets all try to stop with the negative waves Moriarity ~~ a Kelly's Heroes reference ~~ seems appropriate.

September 10, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

cklarock (anonymous) says...

Groupies and weed are pretty much the crown jewels of the pro basketball Kingdom. It's both funny and kind of bizarre that the NBA is hanging these two out to dry while simultaneously looking the other way as far as their other athletes are concerned.

Short of emptying a duffle bag of ammunition into a daycare, Chalmers and Arthur are still my heroes. The shot! The shot!

September 10, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

...but everyone knows us kansans can be downright opinionated...None of the threads above about pot should surprise anyone. Its been a polarizing issue for 30+ yrs... To me, on a basketball blog, it is less about pot, than it is about the future careers about 2 young Jayhawks from a champion team that I care alot about. That level of passion will invite commentary from many...and I for one, really, really do not want to see any of their careers go down in flames because of naivete or making unwise choices. So of course Im still rooting for Mario and Darrell.

September 10, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Posted by kvskubball (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Hey, LEBOWSKI -- I don't have a PiledhighandDeep in pharmacology, and I don't know how bad weed is for a person. However, there might be some medical as well as political reasons for it being illegal. It is perhaps possible."

On this point, I'm 100% sure you are right that SOME of the reason it is illegal is because of health concerns. But
the deciding, swaying factor is less about that and more about politics. If it wasn't, alcohol would be illegal also. In addition to drunk drivers killing people, you have people dying from alcohol toxicity, many cases of violence have alcohol involved, and I've seen far more people suffering from long term effects at the hospital I worked at for 7 years.

"You also need to disambiguate your Jesus story. You say that Jesus hung out with people who were not the good people but you say (loosely) that your friends who smoke pot are good people, better than most ignorant drones . So, would Jesus be hanging out with your friends or not? I guess I just get confused easily."

For clarification... I put "good people" in quotes because that's what society thought of them, not what I think of them... not what Jesus or God thought of them. I'm saying Jesus hung out with good people... but that's not what society thought of them. People see a judge, police officer or a politician and try to assume that's a better person than a complete stranger who does this or does that. People like Strikewso are looking down on my friends for what they do... trying to say they are bad people, or "losers". That's the same thing they would say about the people Jesus hang out with.... and I believe that's the biggest lesson out of that whole entire book.... people are to forgive, and to not judge, and to do unto others, and to love they neighbor... and so on.

People calling people losers for smoking weed contradicts all of it. There have been many ignorant opinions on the subject. That's not name-calling or downgrading the fact that we all have an opinion and the right to share it. It's just that some have no idea what type of people there are out there that do it. They would rather choose to be judgemental and stereotype people.

September 11, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kvskubball (anonymous) says...

Some of both... regarding pot

Posted by Lebowski (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only reason that it is thought of as illegal because some really conservative politicians likely believe that making it legal might cost them votes.

Posted by Lebowski (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

On this point, I'm 100% sure you are right that SOME of the reason it is illegal is because of health concerns. But
the deciding, swaying factor is less about that and more about politics

~~
Nice clarification or inconsistency?
~~
It's nice to have passion, and it is EASY to rant about others' positions that we disagree with. Much more difficult to try to respectfully disagree. Otherwise we all act like pigs slopping around in the mud instead of beings capable of rational thought.

How about some basketball???

September 11, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Those are not the same point, and it's a bit out of context. I freely admit the statement is confusing... but that's not what you asked me to clarify. Just trying to be accomodating, here!

Pt 1 is that people have a problem with marijuana use because it is deemed illegal. I'm saying that's the ONLY reason people have a problem with it... not the ONLY reason law makers prohibit it. Notice I said "they LIKELY believe it might cost them votes." That doesn't suggest it's all-inclusive as to the reasons.

Pt 2 is agreeing with you that yeah, that's probably a big concern why lawmakers don't support legalizing it. Voters don't want their kids thinking it's alright because it's hazardous to their health.

I'm sorry I was confusing, and probably still am... but those are two different points.

I agree with you 100% on this... basketball is the more important subject.

I for the first time looked at our schedule on Tuesday night and noticed the same thing... man there's a lot of big names on there! That's not to mention whoever we face in the CBE Classic.

Some might get frustrated as we lose some games, but I think it's going to be really fun getting familiar with over half the team. Most of the time an incoming player is going to feel a little inhibited when finding their role in the offense. They'll get to go right after more this year.

September 11, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bayareajhawk (anonymous) says...

Oh man, I got to this one late... Some people need to learn how to think for themselves. All people who smoke marijuana are losers? That's news to me. I have to echo the above comments made by the future doctor. I just graduated from a law school ranked in the top 15 in the country, and a lot of my classmates like to partake in the cali herb from time to time. If we're losers, what does that make the 87% of applicants who were denied admission to our law school?

Read the studies. So far, the only reputable study (i.e. one not funded by the US government testing monkeys who were gas-masked with weed in such thick amounts that their brains did not get any oxygen for hours) that has concluded anything negative about marijuana's effects said that it "negatively impairs the user's short-term memory while the user is intoxicated." Meanwhile, something like 80% of emergency room visits after 8 PM involve alcohol in some way. Nobody has ever died of a marijuana overdose, but college freshman drink themselves to death every semester. It blows my mind that the actions of Harry J. Anslinger, William R. Hearst, and Richard M. Nixon are still negatively affecting our lives today. These men are all dead, but their legacy lives on in our overcrowded prisons and our federal deficit.

Think about this: when marijuana was declared illegal in the 1930s, no scientific studies were available on the drug (instead, "experts" told Congress it made "white women sleep with negros and jazz musicians," which was all they needed to hear). The biggest pro-marijuana lobby at the time was the American Medical Association. Hmmm. Fast forward 40 years.

Did you know that Nixon commissioned a group to examine the effects of marijuana when he was elected? Did you know that they recommended a complete decriminalization of marijuana? Instead, of course, Nixon and his cronies pushed for tougher penalties.

I could go on like this all day. I've written about thirty pages of research paper on the economic and social costs of the "drug war," and once you look at all the facts, the reality hits you right in the face.

Drugs like cocaine and heroin should probably be illegal because they are incredibly physically addictive. THC, however, is less physically addictive than nicotene, alcohol or even caffeine. Thus, it is hypocrisy of the highest order to have cigarrettes and alcohol legal but not marijuana. If you really want to live an an uber-paternalistic society, then declare all of them illegal. If you like making your own choices, however, then decriminalize marijuana.

OK, sorry about the long rant. This is just one of the issues that is closest to my heart. Our government wastes billions upon billions of our money in throwing non-violent possessors in jail, and to me it is an epic tragedy. The marijuana prohibition has proven to be an utterly pointless waste of American lives and money.

September 16, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )