AA MINORITY REPORT 2017 (revised)

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Monday 31 December 2012

aacultwatch forum daily reflections


Extracts from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch under thread: “aacultwatch forum daily reflections”

1933-1934

"In the autumn of 1933, when Bill found himself in Towns Hospital for the first time, the affliction of alcoholism was generally viewed as a mystery and a terrible shame. An alcoholic could expect to receive little understanding or compassion.” (Pass It On page 100)

"When Bill described Towns as ‘a nationally known hospital for the rehabilitation of alcoholics,’ he was not exaggerating, but someone else who remembered the hospital described it simply as a place where alcoholics were ‘purged and puked.’ The purging was most probably the effect of the liberal doses of castor oil that the patients were given, together with belladonna.” (Pass It On page 102)

"How long Bill stayed sober is unclear; he thought it was two to four months; Lois thought it was ‘a month or so."(Pass It On page 105)

"By midsummer 1934, he was back in Towns.” (Pass It On page 108)


Suppose, for instance, that during the last twenty five years, AA had never published any standard literature – no books, no pamphlets. We need little imagination to see that by now our message would be hopelessly garbled. Our relations with medicine and religion would have become a shambles. To alcoholics generally we would today be a joke and the public would have thought us a riddle. Without its literature, AA would certainly have bogged down in a welter of controversy and disunity”
Bill W. (AA Grapevine May 1964; Language of the Heart page 348)


In the years ahead we shall, of course, make mistakes. Experience has taught us that we need have no fear of doing this, providing that we shall always remain willing to confess our faults and to correct them promptly. Our growth as individuals has depended upon this healthy process of trial and error. So will our growth as a fellowship. Let us always remember that any society of men and women that cannot freely correct its own faults must surely fall into decay if not into collapse. Such is the universal penalty for failing to go on growing. Just as each A.A. must continue to take his moral inventory and act upon it, so must our whole society do if we are to survive and if we are to serve usefully and well."

Bill W. 1955, St Louis 20th anniversary convention;AA Comes of Age page 231 -233)”

Comment: Well it would seem Bill was right … again! How annoying! Indeed we are “of course, mak[ing] mistakes” …. and at a considerable rate of knots! What seems to be missing however is a willingness to 'fess up and do something about them. We certainly can't rely on the AA conference for leadership and perhaps that's the way it should be. But all the signs are there for anyone who cares to take a look. Membership is stagnant if not actually falling. We're failing to get our central message across even to our own membership. We're a spiritually 'powered' movement and should not be driven by dogma (religious or otherwise) or reliant upon 'personalities' of any kind and yet the talk is constantly of sponsorship ….. sponsorship .. do what your sponsor says .. and so on ad infinitum and ad nauseam.... Our critics are pointing out to us our faults (sometimes constructively, sometimes destructively) ever more vociferously and still we're not prepared to look. The choice is very much ours as to where AA is going to end up – growth and development … or decay and collapse! And the buck stops where? Take a guess!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Saturday 29 December 2012

The Richmond “Camel”


This prayer is being promoted by a guy called “Bernie” in the Richmond and Twickenham area [Surrey/Middlesex]. I know of at least two persons who have stopped attending meetings in that area because of Bernie and his annoying self-righteous preachy-lecturing style. The doctrine and practice implied in this “Camel Prayer” card is very misleading and does not accord with any suggestion to be found anywhere in AA literature. The card is not produced by AA and seems to originate from the same outside commercial enterprise that sells such trite trash as “newcomer chocolate bars” and “speaker sobriety water”. Just to get the record straight – AA does not suggest we “get on our knees twice a day” in imitation of a camel or any other animal. Nor does AA impose “One Master” (whoever that may be?) upon us. AA does suggest we acquire and access a “higher power” but that is a higher power OF OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING according to each person's individual conscience – see the Big Book chapter “Working with Others” for further details. Specific prayer postures are not suggested or implied in any AA book. Also please note that any AA group that allies itself with an outside enterprise and promotes its phoney message is no longer an AA meeting according to Tradition 3.

"Our membership ought to include all who suffer alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation." Tradition 3, long form (with my emphasis)

Additionally AA specifically recommends that we do not preach or lecture – again see the Big Book for further details. Bernie preaches and lectures with gusto – often speaking in the first person plural “we” - a speech idiom sometimes referred to as the “royal we” or the “preacher's we”. Bernie successfully comes across as arrogant, dim, evasive, bullying and manipulative. He also carries the usual false information about early AA and success rates, no doubt acquired from non-AA sources. Camels have a reputation for being rather stupid, cantankerous and smelly. I don't think any sane human being would want to be like one. And I, like many others, in the Richmond/Twickenham area certainly don't want what Bernie has got ! “

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to the contributor who sent this one in!

Thursday 27 December 2012

Conference Questions (2012) forum discussion (contd)



Question 2:

Would the Fellowship review and re-affirm what constitutes an AA Group, within the Fellowship in Great Britain with specific reference to Traditions 4 - 6?

Background

Consider the contribution to the carrying of the message, financial and practical implications when deliberating each question.”

Extract:

Tradition 4 (long form):

And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount.”

Rightly enough, this tradition goes on to say, ‘But when its plans concern the welfare of neighbouring groups also, these groups ought to be consulted.’ Obviously, if any individual, group, intergroup, or regional committee could take an action that might seriously affect the welfare of Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole or seriously disturb surrounding groups, that would not be liberty at all. It would be sheer license; it would be anarchy, not democracy.

Therefore, we AAs have universally adopted the principle of consultation. This means that if a single AA group wishes to take any action that might affect surrounding groups, it consults them. Or, it confers with the intergroup committee for the area, if there be one. Likewise, if a group or regional committee wishes to take any action that might affect AA as a whole, it consults the trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation, who are, in effect, our overall general service committee. For instance, no group or intergroup could feel free to initiate, without consultation, any publicity that might affect AA as a whole. Nor could it assume to represent the whole of Alcoholics Anonymous by printing and distributing anything purporting to be AA standard literature.” (“Tradition Four” Bill W. A.A. Grapevine March 1948, Language of the Heart page 81).

Tradition 10 (Long Form):

And no A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., on outside controversial issues – particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views whatever.”

Guideline 7, Public Information:

PI is a co-operative venture and there is no place in it for isolated acts.”

Guideline 19, AA and Electronic Communications:

To preserve Alcoholics Anonymous’ trademarks and service marks, individuals and AA groups are asked to avoid using certain marks (“AA”; “Alcoholics Anonymous”; “Big Book”) in their domain names.”

There are no ‘unofficial’ AA websites as such. The only websites which can truly be called AA websites are those endorsed by an official AA body eg: www.alcoholics anonymous.org.uk, Regional and Intergroup websites.”


With reference to …......’s post on page 2, committee 1, Question 1, regarding one intergroup area where a National Health Service trust asked all the AA meetings to leave hospital premises, complaints from GPs and the self promoting activity of one particular group in another area, what constitutes an AA group, according to Tradition Ten would have no opinion on medication;this is an outside issue and a matter for health professionals. According to Tradition 4, it would not “initiate, without consultation, any publicity that might affect AA as a whole.” It would therefore, not engage in self promoting PI activity with outside agencies such as doctors clinics, hospitals, treatment centres etc, without consultation with neighbouring groups, or intergroup; nor would it promote itself via its own website or other internet channels of communication without consultation with neighbouring groups, intergroup and the General Service Board; nor would a group have a website containing the terms “AA”; “Alcoholics Anonymous”; “Big Book”) in its domain name. “Nor could it assume to represent the whole of Alcoholics Anonymous by printing and distributing anything purporting to be AA standard literature.” (Bill W.) Such items would include handouts and 12 step guides etc.


The fact that the official USA GSO entry on a popular self broadcasting internet channel of communication is now listed as 21st item down from the top of the page illustrates how the AA message is becoming garbled at the public level by isolated acts of public information and the production of non-standard literature by groups and individuals. The resultant effect of the modern equivalent to what Bill W. described as the “alarming poser” (AA comes of Age page 130). What constitutes an AA group would place the common welfare of Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole first, it would use A.A. published literature, not outside published literature; It would have no opinion on outside issues, medical or religious. It would discourage any isolated acts of public information and discourage “alarming posers” among its members, or elsewhere in AA.

Concept 1: “We envisaged a uniform A.A. literature, the development of a sound public relations policy….”

Concept 12, warranty five: “If we recognize that religion is the province of the clergy and the practice of medicine is for doctors, then we can helpfully cooperate with both.””


Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Father Martin or Father Christmas?



Ashley Inc. Another Firm Cashing In On A.A.
Our Xmas Special Look Alike!
AA Inc. or A Inc?

See here 

Cheerio 

Have a good'un! 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Sunday 23 December 2012

Why women should not drink!



Slightly festive! But only slightly....


Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 14, 2012

Dearest John:

I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a thoroughly delightful gift. I couldn't have been more surprised.

With deepest love and devotion,
Agnes

Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 15, 2012

Dearest John:

Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine two turtle doves. I'm just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable.

All my love,
Agnes

Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 16, 2012

Dearest John:

Oh! Aren't you the extravagant one. Now I really must protest. I don't deserve such generosity, three French hens. They are just darling but I must insist, you've been too kind.

Love,
Agnes

Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 17, 2012

Dear John,

Today the postman delivered 4 calling birds. Now really, they are beautiful but don't you think enough is enough. You're being too romantic.

Affectionately,
Agnes

Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 18, 2012

Dearest John:

What a surprise. Today the postman delivered 5 golden rings; one for every finger. You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, all those birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves.

All my love,
Agnes

Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 19, 2012

Dear John:

When I opened the door there were actually 6 geese a-laying on my front steps. So, you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket.
Please stop.
Cordially,
Agnes

Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 20, 2012

John:

What's with you and those fucking birds? 7 swans a-swimming. What kind of God damned joke is this? There's bird shit all over the house, and they never stop with the racket. I can't sleep at night and I'm a nervous wreck. It's not funny. So stop with those fucking birds.

Sincerely,
Agnes

Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 21, 2012

O.K. Buster:

I think I prefer the birds. What the hell am I going to do with 8 maids a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and 8 maids a-milking, but they had to bring their God damned cows. There is shit all over the lawn and I can't move in my own house. Just lay off me, smart ass.

Agnes


Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 22, 2012

Hey! Shithead,

What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there's 9 pipers playing. And Christ do they play. They've never stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday morning. They cows are getting upset, and they're stepping all over those screeching birds. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a petition to evict me.

You'll get yours,
Agnes

Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 23, 2012

You Rotten Prick,

Now there's 10 ladies dancing. I don't know why I call those sluts ladies. They've been balling those pipers all night long. Now the cows can't sleep and they've got the diarrhea. My living room is a river of shit. The Commissioner of Buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why this building shouldn't be condemned. I'm sicing the police on you.

One who means it.

Miss Agnes McHolstein


Miss Agnes McHolstein
9 Packer Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey

December 24, 2012

Listen! Fuckhead,

What's with the 11 lords a-leaping on those maids and ladies. Some of those broads will never walk again. Those pipers ran through the maids and have been committing sodomy with the cows. All 23 of the birds are dead. They've been trampled to death in the orgy. I hope you're satisfied, you rotten, vicious swine.

Your sworn enemy,
Agnes

Law Offices Dewey, Cheatem and Howe
28 Arrowwood Court
Red Bank, New Jersey, 07701

December 25, 2012


Dear Sir:

This is to acknowledge your latest gift of 12 fiddlers fiddling which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McHolstein. The destruction, of course, was total.
All correspondence should come to our attention.
If you should attempt to reach Miss McHolstein at Happy Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight.
With this letter please find attached warrant for your arrest.

Cordially,

Dewey, Cheatem and Howe, Esquires


Comment: Ah! The true meaning of Christmas! Remember - Give till it hurts! 

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of St Nick)

PS Our thanks to the member who sent this particular contribution in!



Saturday 22 December 2012

In the eye of the beholder!


Beauty, they say, is only skin deep.... but after a skinful!


Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

AA Minority Report 2013 - Appendix 1g Recovery Bibles



The seventh of fifteen appendices to the AA Minority Report 2013

Friday 21 December 2012

Cult: Where to Find


From time to time we get emails complaining that this group or that is included in our cult 'Where to Find'. (GB and US). People don't generally like it and indeed who would! Cults are NOT A GOOD THING! However meetings end up being listed for a number of reasons but predominantly because reliable sources have confirmed that cult groups are operating at those locations whilst posing as being part of AA (eg. Road to Recovery Plymouth etc) and/or they are included in one of a number of directories floating around the internet. We check these directories fairly regularly for updates and if a group/meeting is listed there it pretty much automatically goes into our Where to Find (especially if it's associated with the Primary Purpose gang!) Now it may well be the case that a group has disentangled itself from such associations and therefore the listing is out of date … but then as we know from our own experience … all actions have consequences! So if group members are foolish enough or so ignorant of the traditions in the first place that they elect to have their details included in such a directory (ie. affiliate themselves with an outside organisation) then they can expect to be listed in our directory. Even if they subsequently detach themselves from such an affiliation and have their details removed they will still remain in our directory but with an update to that effect. The simplest course of action therefore is NOT to affiliate in the first place! Or to put it even more simply – stick with the guiding principles of AA! We believe that every single problem that AA is currently facing (and we mean EVERY SINGLE ONE) is in some respect down to OUR FAILURE to abide by the principles that WE created whether it be the self-PROMOTING activities of the CIRCUIT SPEAKER brigade, interference in prescribed medication regimes (outside issues), sexual predation (13 stepping), literature sales subsidies (in breach of Tradition 7) ….. the list goes on .. but not quite ad infinitum.

Think on that!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS We are well aware that some groups may be operating 'under the radar' so to speak on this one. Once discovered however the same principle applies. If you get into our directory you're likely to stay there!

Thursday 20 December 2012

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Sunday 16 December 2012

Friday 14 December 2012

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Monday 10 December 2012

Saturday 8 December 2012

Conference Steering Committee: Terms of Reference




With reference to the AA Minority Report 2013 rejected under the Terms of Reference provision:

7. Submission not accepted for reasons other than the above”

Apparently the authors of the AA Minority Report 2012 having carried out the recommendations proposed by the committee previously ie. removal of direct references to outside organisations (placing these in series of separate appendices outside the main body of the report), have not quite jumped through enough hoops to satisfy this august body. Indeed the committee was faced with the awful prospect that it might have to allow the minority report through. Fortunately someone had had the presence of mind to ensure that a 'catch all' clause was available to ensure that such eventualities did not occur ie. Clause 7. As you can see this means that the committee can reject anything … and for any reason it likes! Think of an excuse and Bob's your uncle ….the offending item just disappears!

So the new “reason” for not accepting the submission was, and we quote:

..the principle of the report was based on “issues outside of AA GB”.

Apart from the fact that the “reason” (?) given is about as opaque as you can make it according to our interpretation the committee seems to be of the opinion that AA unity only refers to that bit of it inside Great Britain whereas “the principle of the report” actually refers to AA unity everywhere ....... as do indeed our Traditions! (see here).

Somehow we don't think the “ostrich” manoeuvre is going to work for much longer. This problem is NOT one that's just going to disappear!

But never fear! In the immortal words of Arnie “The Terminator” Schwarzenegger: “WE'LL BE BACK!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)