Under watch: Hall of Famer Cepeda, and French past-Pres. Chirac
Hall of Famer and seven-time All-Star Orlando Cepeda, clocked at 83 mph in a 65 mph zone and pulled over by a California Highway Patrol officer, who smelled the unmistakable odor of marijuana emanating from his car. The officer found a white-powder substance that was likely methamphetamine or cocaine, along with marijuana and a syringe, and arrested the 69-year-old Cepeda on suspicion of felony possession. After his playing career ended, Cepeda was convicted in 1976 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of smuggling marijuana. It is believed that Cepeda, who works for the San Francisco Giants as a community liaison and ironically speaks to at-risk children about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs, was not under the influence at the time of his arrest and was cooperative with officers. I could find no evidence of addictive use online by Cepeda, but that doesn’t mean he’s clean. My suspicion is he relapsed.
French President Jacques Chirac, whose 12-year presidency ended after the French voted to break with past ideas. Chirac uttered an amazing array of idiotic statements, including one to Saddam Hussein, “You are my personal friend. Let me assure you of my esteem, consideration and bond,” and another regarding Iran’s nuclear program: “Having one or perhaps a second bomb a little later, well, that’s not very dangerous,” while he was (supposedly) negotiating with Iran to give up its nuclear program. He held nothing but contempt and scorn for the United States and the English language, once storming out of a room in which English was spoken. Belittling others more successful than oneself is immensely ego-gratifying for the addict. Such remarks are one of the classic signs of alcoholism, even if insiders never spill the beans and outside observers are never able to confirm addictive drinking.