Lord Bane wrote:
Why is it when a drunk gives up alcohol everybody applauds him/her? What about everyone else who were responsible enough to never get into that kind of trouble in the first place?
Who applauds the average drunk who gives it up? It's a long hard road, and one I've walked for many years with the support of the people who really give a damn. A lot of people threw all kinds of judgements, like "you 'chose' to screw up.' Well, maybe I did, even though some doctors and geneticists say I didn't. Now I have to choose every day NOT to drink. It just isn't the same for you and me, Lord Bane; I don't get to have a couple of cold ones after a hard run. It's not really that much to give up, considering the consequences, but many people never do it.
Look, I take responsibility for the bullsh** I pulled when drunk. No excuses. But I'm not getting any applause for giving it up and owning up to the crap and making it right.
I will add, however, that I never pulled anything like this guy, never physically hurt anyone, never really screwed up anyone's life but my own, and I don't 'blame' alcohol. Owning up and making it right are big steps in successfully turning your life around. I hope he does it.
I am also appalled at the publicity he's getting. The media are like crows on a phone line: one takes off with a story and everyone follows. This kind of glare is not going to be good for him in his daily struggle.