To Sir (FTF) With Love

Today’s intercourse with First Things First (FTF) was both revealing while also providing great entertainment value. FTF reminded me of akirk of times past here on the OP Forum.

First, FTF tells us that he has been in and out of the rooms for years. Yet in the same sentence he tells us that he has never seen any of the horror stories that are discussed here on the Forum, or the horror stories in the letters Orange receives. How can he say with any certainty that these horrific actions have not occurred if he is not in the roomz of AA? He can’t!

Second, right off the bat he admits that AA/12 steps have not worked for him. We all know that the AA/12 steps program has relapses built into the program. So in a sense FTF has worked the AA/12 steps program in that he has successfully relapsed. Not once folks, but numerous times, by his own admission.

Third, FTF tells us that AA/12 steps is a self-help program that. Ok, so god is not involved in the AA/12 step program? I thought god was involved somewhere. I think god is mentioned throughout the 12 steps. I could be wrong.

Fourth, FTF tells us that yes, there are bad AA meetings, and the old-timers know to avoid them? So there are bad meetings FTF? Why does FTF say there are bad meetings? Bad how?

Fifth, FTF shares a huge insight with the OP Forum. The key feature to AA to AA is a “desire to quit drinking”. What about admitting that one is powerless? Sounds like a key to me. What about admitting that you are insane? Another big key, that. And, you must turn your life over to god? BIG KEY! HUGE KEY!

Sixth, FTF plays the “what was your part” card. Yep. This self-help program gets a “get off the hook” card by almost every AA member, trying to make the argument that shit happens in the real world. Pull up your bootstraps and work the program. FTF drips with compassion for the suffering drunk.

Seventh, the FTF tells us to not forget that the people in the roomz, the old-timers, the big bills and the little bills, these people are/were all drunks. These people in the roomz are not professionals or doctors or therapists. Don’t forget that he says! Sounds like a warning to me. FTF is one hell of a marketer.

Eight, FTF then shares his frustration with us; FTF can’t understand how these people can cry about how they were treated in AA when they are the ones that made a bad judgment call. Perhaps making the decision to attend AA/12 steps was a bad judgment call?

Nine, FTF tells us that Bill W was an asshole. Plain & simple. Bill W was a self-centered, manipulative adulterer that lied continuously. Ok, we all agree on that one. Oh, FTF tells us not to judge a book by its cover. LOL!

Ten, FTF reminds us that AA is a self-help program and then tells that at the heart of the thing, the intent is spiritual, not religious. FTF tells us that bonding with other drunks and the spiritual communing (with god) is what provides mental relief and release in order to combat “alcoholism”? So other drunks and god help with the AA self-help program of combating drinking. What happened to the heart being “a desire to quit drinking” How many hearts are there?

Eleven, FTF then plays one the old standbys as to why AA/12 steps has such a low success rate (3-5%). If AA didn’t work for you, then you didn’t really work the program. It is not the fault of the program, it is YOU.

Twelve, FTF tells us that AA people come and go. He WANTS us to believe him. AA’ers COME AND GO. Hell, each AA meeting seems to have a darned revolving door FTF tells us. Then, in the very next sentence, FTF tells us that AA does work. WTF! Yes, AA does work, for 3-5% of the substance abuse population.

So, if you want what FTF has…………………..