Yes. It's
true! We cannot tell a lie. But you could have knocked us over with
a feather! Now we must confess we'd hardly describe ourselves as
habitual readers of this production. Indeed the only time we have
recourse to this particular journal is if we're suffering from an
unusually bad case of insomnia. Experience has taught us that merely
to peruse this journal for a matter of moments induces a kind of
coma, an effect that could not be equalled by even the most powerful
of chemical soporifics. Indeed so bland generally are its contents
that even the most dedicated and enthusiastic of its readers could
not possibly remain awake beyond the five minute mark! A major
contributor to this effect is the many articles emanating from
Plymouth. Indeed large parts of the magazine are frequently devoted
to outpourings from this cult group, (Road to Recovery) whose offerings consist mainly of the usual homilies
to their GOD the SPONSOR”; he or she who MUST BE OBEYED. So
repetitious is this mantra that a kind of drowsiness descends upon
those so exposed, an effect we can only attribute to the sheer
mind-numbing tedium induced by its constant recitation. Occasionally
this narcoleptic tendency can partly be offset by recourse to the
regular ravings of Dennis from Ealing (yet another sponsee of David “The Icon” C) who seems to have been well and truly
“rocketed” - although no one is entirely sure where! So you can
imagine our … well shock and awe … upon reading this next
contribution:
“IN
RESPONSE TO HARRY A
I would
like to reply to the article from Harry A, 'Be clever enough to be
stupid' (September 2012 Share). I found it very thought-provoking.
Firstly I was wondering how he managed 25 years in AA before 'Big
Book thumper' 'in Dallas, Texas, [Primary Purpose cult] his words,
not mine, entered his life. A man armed with the facts? Wasn't anyone
armed with the facts before then?
I found it
very insulting too (do I say it? Yes, I will), to mainstream AA. All
these so-called special and different AA types that only have
'Rolls-Royce' sponsors, in my humble opinion, are run on ego and are
bullies hiding under the cloak of AA.
These men
'armed with facts' intimidate vulnerable, sick people and continue to
tell AA members to come off their medication.
This is not the AA I was brought up with and love. My sponsor
walks beside me, suggests and doesn't bully and has taken me through
the Steps from the Big Book.
These men
'armed with facts' should remember Tradition One: 'Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery
depends on AA unity.' Bill W said AA will fall apart from within. I
pray that this will not happen, but if certain behaviour from certain
groups continues, Bill W's word will become a reality. I don't want
this to happen because if AA dies I will surely die too. What is the
solution?
…........
(14 years sober)”
Well after
picking ourselves off the floor we continued to stare at the letter
in shocked disbelief. How on earth .. we asked ourselves.. had a
piece of genuine honesty found its way into the pages of Share? This
must be a misprint! We could only conclude the editor must be on
holiday and that one of his/her mischievous minions had slipped this
by under the Share radar. The editing process usually ensures that
only the most 'politically correct' pieces find their way into these
hallowed pages (?). Oh surely there will be hell to pay when the
“cat” returns to find this particular mouse at play! Hardly
daring to tear our eyes away from this missive with trembling hands
we carefully applied the scissors and subtracted the section from the
remainder of the page. One of the office juniors was despatched post
haste to acquire the most expensive picture frame he could find and
in no time at all it was suspended in all its glory, adorned in gold
upon the office wall. Silently we gazed with adoration at its
syllabic magnificence. Indeed so striking was its effect it might
only be compared to the Second Coming! Even now as these words are
being typed we glance upwards from time to time to take inspiration
and comfort from one who has dared to speak the truth! Long may they
live and prosper!
Cheerio
The Fellas
(Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous
– and still just about hanging on!)
PS Our
usual thanks to the member who pointed us in the direction of this
masterpiece!
