Democracy? Almost - but not quite!

Well we recently trundled on down to the Plymouth Road to Recovery (cult group) site for one our periodic albeit infrequent inspections (after all 'misery is optional' isn't it!). These little trips are generally made in the hope that we might discover an outbreak of sanity had occurred amongst the 'pointed headed ones' - Ever the optimists! Apart from the usual banalities we discovered this 'gem' (?) which illustrates perfectly both the confused thinking that exists within the cult and their almost infinite capacity to mangle any idea to suit their own twisted agenda.

This particular example relates to the cult's version of Tradition 2. Firstly AA's version (short form – which incidentally in this instance is longer than the long form!): 

“Two – For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern”. 

The cult's version, however, seems to be: 

“Two – For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern – except when they feel like it!” 

So according to the group's commentator (who goes to great (but unconvincing) lengths to demonstrate his own independence of thought and action): 

“As a group we may vote on these ideas and on occasions the decision may not go the way of the old-timer or elder statesmen of the group. This doesn't make the group conscience wrong; it is our loving God expressing himself in our group conscience.” 

So far so good. But he continues: 

“However, we do sometimes get the leaders standing fast on matters of importance and using whatever means possible (Concept 9). That sometimes means having sponsees vote the same way, or whatever means possible on things that will affect the group and/or carry a message. We sometimes don't agree but our leaders do tend to have good foresight.” 

(our emphases) 

Some questions arise here? 

Who decides what constitutes a matter of importance? (Go on! Take a guess!). Moreover if God's will is apparently (and correctly) made known in the first instance (where the decision “may not go the way of the old-timer or elder statesmen of the group”) how is it that this appears not to be the case in the second instance ie. “on matters of importance”? 

From this it would seem that for all trivial questions God can be relied upon to deliver 'the goods' via the group conscience. However on more substantial matters His judgement may be regarded as sometimes faulty and called into question by the “elder statesmen” (how pretentious can you get!). Moreover in the latter case it would appear that “whatever means possible” might need to be employed to correct the Omniscient Being's deficiency” 

“whatever means possible” is repeated twice in the above extract sounding to us quite chilling in its possible implications! This seems to equate to that most dubious of rationalisations employed frequently by the 'ethically challenged' ie. that the means justify the ends. Is there no constraint upon these expedient measures other than their 'possibility'? Certainly none is indicated. In this connection Concept IX is cited as the basis for this questionable approach. Naturally in our endless quest for the truth we decide to check out the aforementioned Concept in an attempt to locate this phrase. 

We were pretty thorough in our investigations (as you would of course expect) not only reading the relevant section (The AA Service Manual Combined with the Twelve Concepts of World Service, 2012-13 edn, pp. 34-40), but also using the “Find” function to look for the phrase and even its component words. Nowhere did we find the expression “whatever means possible” within this part of the document nor indeed in any other section. The word “means” occurs four times, “possible” the same, and“whatever” not at all. There is nothing to suggest therefore that “whatever means possible” (or anything similar) are at all sanctioned here. This expression is strictly a figment of this particular “elder statesman's” imagination - or perhaps we should say merely the 'wet dream' of a control freak fantasist! In fact a thorough reading of the Concept (and in particular its inclusion of the essay by Bill Wilson entitled “Leadership in AA: Ever a Vital Need”) suggests the precise opposite. 

Moreover it is interesting to note in this connection the following extract which serves to demonstrate the disparity between the principles presented in the Concept and the practices adopted by the cult 'leadership' generally: 

“Somewhere in our literature there is a statement to this effect: “Our leaders do not drive by mandate, they lead by example.” In effect we are saying to them: “Act for us, but don't boss us.” 

This is something of a contrast to the approach outlined by our cult “elder statesman” which includes “having sponsees vote the same way” '[having' is a cult euphemism for 'directing'] or indeed their whole ethos summed up in their dictat “do exactly what he [your sponsor] tells you”.

(screen shot from cult website run by David C) 

As for leadership “by example” it would probably be better to look elsewhere than seek such exemplars amongst the cult leadership. One need look no further than the antics of the so-called 'leaders' in the Plymouth Road to Recovery cult group (Wayne P, Alexis K, Jon F) to discover that there is nothing here of any value to emulate. 

Finally, the moral of our tale: If you wish to gain a good understanding of the Traditions, Concepts, Steps, guidelines etc you might try reading them for yourself rather than relying on such poor commentaries as those presented by the various 'experts' hailing from the Plymouth Road to Recovery cult group (or indeed any such anywhere!). And if you need some kind of template for recovery again we suggest you will probably be more likely to find this at almost any AA meeting than amongst the cult membership, a group who as a rule favour image before substance and for whom dogma and hypocrisy have become central guiding principles. 

Cheerio 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Nothing changes if nothing changes!

“dear aacultwatch,

wayne p still at it.

I needed help to stop or moderate my drinking, I lost my job and nearly my sanity.

I joined r to r [Road to Recovery Plymouth cult group] seeking help, the first meeting they were over me like a rash, read the big book, get a sponsor,do the steps and ring 2 members a day, the usual cult starting point.

At last an answer, so I thought in my confused state.

I followed the path, started doing the programme,sobered up but starting to rely on my sponsor.

Whenever I questioned the teachings of space cadet Wayne I was not working the programme.

My first sponsor left the group why? This left me confused, so I got a new one.

He took me to step 4,then step 5, but like a bolt of reality I saw through the bullshit, he did not know what was written in the r to r website.

I never went back.

There are many good and caring people in that group, but it feels like its Waynes world. You cannot question or discuss different thoughts other than space cadet Waynes teaching.

AA can help,it got me sober and the rest of my life depend on me choosing the right path.

…...

PS, another space cadet is Alexis K, in r and r.”

(our edits)

Comment: Not much to say … the same old same old... business as usual. But the usual cult 'shut down' lines apply ….. A particular favourite amongst the 'pointed headed' ones is the 'are you prepared to go to any lengths' rejoinder. Anyone who fails to comply is challenged accordingly. Of course what they fail to point out – that is if they ever noticed it in the first place – is that the “any lengths” referred to are YOUR “any lengths” not THEIR “any lengths”! But like all control freaks they have great difficulty in recognising other human beings as being at all autonomous or capable of exercising any judgement on their own behalf. 'My will not thine be done' is the gold standard as ever in cult circles! Remember …. your sponsor is now your GOD-father .. and ….. true humility is expressed through obedience to your SPONSOR! (Oh pass the sick bag …. please!!)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Thanks to our correspondent

Plymouth Road to Recovery (cult) goes into the addiction business!

It seems (or so we've heard) that the Plymouth R2R cult group, not satisfied with inserting their sticky fingers into AA's business, now have designs on DAA (Drug Addicts Anonymous). A member drew our attention to their activities recently. DAA (for those of you who've never heard of them – which included us) seems to be in many ways similar to NA but eschews their literature in favour of AA's. Apparently in the Plymouth area there was a bit of a bust up a couple of years ago and some NA members severed their links with Narcotics Anonymous and swapped over to the DAA format. Moreover it would seem - there being something of a dearth of home-grown sponsors - they've shipped in a few of these from the Road to Recovery (cult) group, who, as we all know, are more than willing to evangelise at the drop of a hat! In the process the R2R gang have also somehow managed to draw a local Christian treatment project called Ovis Farm into their web. The latter of course have no idea what they've let themselves in for! But they will soon enough!

Prompted by this news we cast our eyes over the R2R site – it's always good for a laugh - and came across a couple of 'gems' including one by Alexis K in which he holds forth on his experience of Tradition One. Here his summation “Unity comes from a choice to tolerate, not from a demand to conform” might be considered admirable, that is until both its intent and advocate are subjected to closer examination! In the hands of a cult member tolerance is an entirely one way process ie. we (the cult) do what we like - and you (AA) put up with it! The cult hierarchy are quite happy to ride rough-shod over any tradition, concept or guideline devised by AA if it does not suit their purpose, one which essentially boils down to self-(will)power and control of others (see Step Three, AA, pp. 60-62). Any attempt to criticise this conduct will be met either with indifference or an air of assumed hurt (something along the lines of “But we're only trying to carry the AA message” etc). The only message though that the cult are actually interested in transmitting is one of personal power, this made incarnate in the cult Sponsor – he or she who must be obeyed in all things and whose will may not be thwarted! But Alexis himself is, of course, a well practised exponent of the cult mentality. Who could forget (and we're certainly not going to let you!) his exemplification of these lofty principles of “tolerance” at the AA Conference!  As usual it's a case of “Do what I say and not what I do”

The other piece of “fool's gold” for offer on the site comes under the title “Parable of a Sponsor”. Here the heroine of the title offers some Zen like guidance to a stray sponsee who has fallen by the wayside! The very title of the piece sends a shiver down our collective spines....... it's only a matter of time before we hear the first report of a cult sponsor walking on water! We await this news with breath all baited!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our usual thanks to our local correspondents

Road to Recovery cult group Plymouth – Alexis K is outed!

Well Alexis K has finally come out of the closet! It would seem that he is a.... Stravinsky fan! In his latest “masterpiece” this ex-conference delegate (or “thug” as he is otherwise known – see An incident at Conference) has attributed the success (?) of this cult group (of which he is a member) partly to the scandal it has attracted within AA. According to our “maestro” such adverse comments serve merely to attract people rather than repel them much in the way (we suppose) one who lacking in discretion and taste might seek diversion by visiting a freak show by reason of its outrageous reputation: thus “success from scandal” is a good thing! In support of his thesis Alexis cites Stravinsky as an example. This is, however, perhaps an unfortunate choice for comparison, but for two basic reasons. Firstly the composer himself is said to have had a “taste for hard spirits” - but then we all need a bit of help don't we when the muse fails us! Then he was something of a Nazi. Oh dear! Now if Adolf had won the war then that would be a good thing as well. But he didn't, and being a Nazi these days (especially with the current trial going on in Norway) is probably not something you'd particularly want to advertise. But then we guess this is not so much of a problem in “Step Nazi” circles. Thus (as Stravinsky comments):

"I don't believe that anyone venerates Mussolini more than I... I know many exalted personages, and my artist's mind does not shrink from political and social issues. Well, after having seen so many events and so many more or less representative men, I have an overpowering urge to render homage to your Duce. He is the saviour of Italy and – let us hope – Europe". Later, after a private audience with Mussolini, he added, "Unless my ears deceive me, the voice of Rome is the voice of Il Duce. I told him that I felt like a fascist myself... In spite of being extremely busy, Mussolini did me the great honour of conversing with me for three-quarters of an hour. We talked about music, art and politics".[50]

Moreover In his general demeanour it would seem that “Stravinsky proved adept at playing the part of a 'man of the world', acquiring a keen instinct for business matters and appearing relaxed and comfortable in public”.

(our emphasis)

Now the similarities between our hero and the “stage managed performances” that characterise cult groups are really beginning to pile up!

And finally:

“Stravinsky was reputed to have been a philanderer and was rumoured to have had affairs with high-profile partners such as Coco Chanel.”

It gets better and better! We have complete identification!

But in a more positive sense, and focussing rather on his professional prowess, Stravinsky may be regarded primarily as an innovator:

“Stravinsky is known as "one of music's truly epochal innovators". The most important aspect of Stravinsky's work, aside from his technical innovations (including in rhythm and harmony), is the 'changing face' of his compositional style while always 'retaining a distinctive, essential identity'. He himself was inspired by different cultures, languages and literatures. As a consequence, his influence on composers both during his lifetime and after his death was, and remains, considerable.”

In other words he had what's called talent, was forward looking, and his “.... style ... always 'retain[ed] a distinctive, essential identity', something quite far removed from the 'cloning' activities of the R2R group. Now if we are going to draw any parallels at all between the Road to Recovery cult group and the “success through scandal” theme we far prefer Paris Hilton as a candidate, and her by now quite infamous sex tape. Now we don't have anything in particular against the poor thing; she is what she is and has to make do with her own unfortunate circumstances. But let's face it – her life is just about image and very little else! Bless her but her responsibilities are indeed limited! The R2R cult group's however are not and yet they behave in a similarly irresponsible manner, in pursuit always of the limelight, and by whatever means. Finally their message is composed entirely of “emotional froth” and lacking completely in weight or substance! In fact by comparison Paris is starting to look like something of a philosopher!

As for the references to Bill W in Alexis' 'oeuvre' we really don't think that our co-founder had “success through scandal” in mind when AA's public relations policy was being formulated. Nice try though!

(Sources: Wikipedia)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS We are however more than willing to correct any inaccuracies in our reporting of what goes on in the R2R cult group.

For example: perhaps it is not the case that Wayne P (sponsor to both Alexis K and Jon F and himself sponsored by Clancy I (Pacific Group – who also sponsored Mike Q (now deceased) – Midtown Group Washington DC – see here for more on this delightful collective!) got one of his sponsees pregnant. Or maybe he only got her a “little bit pregnant”. He was (still is?) married at the time.

Or perhaps the numerous independent eyewitness reports we received concerning the abusive conduct of Alexis K and Jon F towards the General Secretary of AA were all mistaken in their interpretation of what took place! (see above)

Or that Wayne P did not refer to AA members as “Beano” readers ie. when it came to their grasp of the recovery programme. But then we have the audio file to prove it! Tricky eh!

Or that the R2R cult group never carried the following adverts on its website for outside organisations (in its breach – yet again – of the traditions).

And here

Or perhaps the lengthy rationalisations presented under the article: “Misconceptions about RtR” (an ever lengthening list itself!) , and carried on the group's website, are all quite justified, and it's all our fault for so misunderstanding these worthy fellows! Who can say? And why is that no other group feels the need to provide such an extensive defence? Puzzling!

But by all means correct us if we have got our facts wrong! In the meantime enjoy the “success through scandal”. If that's the only way you can carry “your message” you're welcome!

PPS We never thought Paris Hilton would make it on to our website! Ain't life strange!

Plymouth Road to Recovery (international cult) group

Well there seems to have been an upsurge in audio file output from the 'recovery factory' in Plymouth. As if to demonstrate its internationalist credentials the site boasts contributions from as far afield as Los Angeles (the Venerable C) and Las Vegas (the more prosaic Bob D) but now they have added the Sydney franchise of the Road to Recovery to their list of credits. Their 'rep', Matt S, put in a reasonably creditable performance (according that is to cult standards) recounting in 'cult speak' their 'templated' version of the AA message. What is quite remarkable (or unremarkable depending on your point of view) is how absolutely nothing is lost in the translation. Even from as far away as the antipodes the programme 'a la cult' is still presented in the same bland, pre-digested fashion as its home-grown version. We're not going to bore you with all the details suffice to say it went something like this: “blah blah blah sponsor … blah blah .. steps....blah blah ..home group....blah blah sponsor... “ and so on. Well done Matt but don't give up the day job - yet! You're not quite up to “circuit speaker” standards but you've done your first international 'spot' so don't give up all hope! But now we come to Pat O-S (three guesses what the “S” stands for!). Now Pat (who hails from the less exotic clime of Dundee – BEGINNERS BIG BOOK TUESDAY Meeting, Chamber of Commerce Buildings, Panmure St) turned in a much more polished performance. Pat though we think suffers somewhat from a Scarlet Pimpernel complex as in:

They seek him here, they seek him there
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere
Is he in heaven or is he in hell?
That demned elusive Pimpernel

Quite mysteriously he can flit into town and out again, doing a quick Step Nine here, carrying the MESSAGE there, and all so unobtrusively! Indeed they don't call him the Tartan Pimpernel for nothing! We must admit our reviewer couldn't stand to listen to the whole recording and gave up after Pat wittily referred to driving in kilometres per hour as opposed to miles per hour, this being an indication of how sober he now is! This speaker however has some potential and should certainly consider a professional career in AA. He definitely has the capacity to get bums on seats to which the loud applause that greeted his introduction will testify! (Interestingly - or not - and purely as an aside - one of the aacultwatch team did have to sit through a Joys of Recovery group conscience once – but only once! At this particular session there was a lengthy debate as to whether speakers should be applauded or not. Here David B (Joys founder) posed the fascinating theological question ie. Were the audience responding to the speaker him/herself or to their Higher Power as he/she/it expressed him/her/itself through them! At this point someone (guess who?) mentioned rule 62 but all they got were a lot of dirty looks for their trouble. The cult do take themselves so dreadfully, dreadfully seriously!).

Anyway we come now to the blockbuster – the 18^th Anniversary address given by the three “big cheeses” themselves viz. Wayne P, Jon F and Alexis K – the “trusted servants” of the Road to Recovery (cult) group. For reasons (mostly self evident) Wayne's pearls of wisdom were not presented for the benefit of posterity (and for mere mortals like the rest of us “Beano” readers in AA) on this occasion. It might have been that his trousers had fallen down at an awkward moment and he was unable to reach the mike stand in time for the show! We shall probably never know (braces work quite well though or so we've heard Wayne!) but it was left to Jon and Alexis to plug the gap! Again we're not going to give a blow by blow account because that really would be too cruel, and even we are not that hard hearted or inconsiderate towards our readers. Again it can be condensed down into: “blah blah blah sponsor ….. blah blah blah home group.... blah blah ….. God (!!)” Goodness! What was that? God! God got a mention at the Road to Recovery! Is this possible? Yes indeed. It would seem that God (of your understanding) is making something of a comeback in Plymouth. After an extended absence the Deity is indeed the buzz word around town again. The Supreme Being even managed as many mentions as “sponsor” (and its variants) throughout our heroes' separate renditions of their programme. Indeed they sounded almost reasonable in their addresses (although Alexis K did seem to lose the plot towards the end of his rather rambling speech). Unfortunately cult speak was still very much to the fore with the word “passion” used a number of times in the latter's presentation. Now in cult circles the term “passion” is a euphemism for “thuggery” and the last time Jon and Alexis came over all 'impassioned' was at the AA conference. For the full gory details see here. Now of course we might be accused of digging up the past rather in making reference to this but then some things never change in the Road to Recovery. For example every attempt is being made at the moment to 'airbrush' Wayne P back to life (after that unfortunate incident where his trousers fell down – AGAIN). It would seem however that Wayne is not the only one who has serious problems with his trouser's 'vertical integrity'. Indeed the rumour is going round that yet another of the “trusted servants” is suffering from 'kegs imbalance'. Still – no matter – it's just another defect of character and we're quite sure that the miscreant is praying like mad for the “shortcoming” to be removed (or should we say for the “shorts” to be removed!). But then it's hardly a criminal offence and you can't get NICKED for it can you? After all – the SHOW MUST GO ON!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)