>>>>You clearly do not understand where I am coming from and your "honest truth" is just your subjective view. You defend yourself and those that mock him because his actions in this forum are too much for you and some others. This fails to acknowledge that the very behaviour exhibited is one of the effects of being a drug addict in the first place. Drug addicts need to be helped or, if you cant help, left alone. But scorn, insults, and ridicule contribute nothing of a positive nature especially when coming from those not trained in drug addiction treatment.
>>>
>>>Jos, sorry, but I don't agree.
>>>
>>>I said the "honest truth" is that Mike elevated his addiction by saying it brought him certain qualities ("being drunk makes me more creative"). I challenge anyone on this forum to defend that statement, and I challenge anyone to say it doesn't give credence to the notion that he really doesn't want to change. Truth hurts sometimes.
>>
>>We could debate that until the cows come home. (Groucho: "Or maybe I'll dance with the cows until you come home.") A lot of very smart people here have been telling me I have been walking down the wrong road. I honestly do believe that it enhances creative instincts. And that is not changing a thing about knowing I need to get it out of my life. I am going to give it my best shot. The fundamental article of faith in AA is the first step, admitting you have a problem.
>>
>>So OK, I have always had a huge problem with step 3. So does my sponsor, who is an athiest. He felt down and out enough that he was willing to take any length. He has been clean and sober for a long time now. He says you don't have to take the steps literally to recover.
>>
>>Enough about all that for now. Let's just talk about baseball. I have been cheering for the A's, for no apparent reason, and they are in free fall. Billy Beane (no relation) is a savant. He doesn't have the budget of some other GMs but he has revolutionized the game, probably in other sports as well. He approaches the game of baseball like a programmer. There are guys in his system whose success most would not have predicted, and in a small major league market. IMO he is a genius.
>>
>>We always return to the classics, musically and otherwise. They called him Teddy Ballgame. He was a potty mouth who liked to say I'm Ted Willliams, the best effing hitter in the American effing League. He was a fighter pilot in two wars. He hit over 500 homers and reportedly had 20:10 vision. If not for those years given to our country he would have put the record so far out there it would never have been approached. He remains the last player to hit .400. (Tony Gwinn came close; RIP). In the age of relief specialists that probably will never happen again. The best hitter who ever lived IMO.
>>
>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIqyKEOezNc>
>
>You have two problems - the first is you never get past STEP ONE. I mean really - the alcohol makes you creative?? You are powerless but will not admit it.
>
>Second, when cornered, you deflect. Nice job of that here.
>
>But on another note - does anyone think the Reds will win the World Series?
No, they will not ;-)
And I fully admit I am powerless. Step 3 is the one I have a hard time getting past.
