William K. Wolfrum - Latest Comments on A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

Shanks [Visitor] in response to: A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

Shanks [Visitor] — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:35:54 +0000

Hate to belabor the point, but RJ is publicly speaking on behalf of that fellowship, which he is not in a position to do. I personally know a number of semi-famous folks who are AA members and they guard that principle of anonymity in the press zealously. Their reasons are experienced-based, figured out the hard way through mistakes. As that organization's results are historically phenomenal, I'll always champion their way of doing things.

You, however, not being involved in that outfit, would be free to say whatever you please.

William K. Wolfrum [Visitor] in response to: A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

William K. Wolfrum [Visitor] — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:22:35 +0000

Oh, and Alex ... good one. You fascist.

;)

William K. Wolfrum [Visitor] in response to: A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

William K. Wolfrum [Visitor] — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:21:20 +0000

Shanks,

I really didn't go the AA route (though basically went through the steps), but I don't think RJ wrote anything that could be construed as being wrong or breaking any codes as far as I am aware. Sharing your own experiences publicly helps others and becomes much easier to do the longer you're sober.

RonMon: I think you're over analyzing it a touch. As for resisting, that's not even an issue. I just don't drink now. It's part of who I am, not something I have to struggle at all with or yearn for in any way at all. I have to resist drinking the same amount I have to resist snorting coke or shooting heroin, which I have never done and was never tempted to do.

But my past is not something I try and close the door on or pretend never happened. Sort of a "those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it" sort of thing.

As for Daly, when a 40-something, long-time drinker is showing up publicly intoxicated, they've got a problem. Some people can drink responsibly their whole lives and even get quite drunk on occasion yet be in control. But they don't show up drunk at Hooters when in their 40s.

Shanks [Visitor] in response to: A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

Shanks [Visitor] — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:58:01 +0000

Let's hope the golfing and drinking public stop accepting the excuse-making of Daly. Left to his own devices away from his adoring fans, he might find enough pain for a moment of truth whereby he could turn his life around.

P.S. Robert Jones of Charlotte, NC is suspect. As AA has a tradition of anonymity at the level of press, he must be an imposter. Certainly any AA member sober for 10 years or more would know this and the reasoning for it.

Carl T. [Visitor] in response to: A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

Carl T. [Visitor] — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:16:31 +0000

I kind of think John Daly is going to die long before his time - kind of like Mickey Mantle in baseball, but much earlier.
Too bad. He seems like a hell of a decent guy - just a boozehead (don't take offense; I'm in the same crowd as the author of the original post, and glad for it) who can't come around and stay around.
I hope for the best for Daly, but am realistic in anticipating his obituary long before it's due.

Joe Biddle [Visitor] in response to: A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

Joe Biddle [Visitor] — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:53:54 +0000

Bill
Wonderfully stated. Been there, done that. Nothing like coming out the other end and realizing there is a whole new world out there.

Steve [Visitor] in response to: A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

Steve [Visitor] — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:17:15 +0000

Well said. I too am an alcoholic and am on the journey back up. I will celebrate one year of sobriety next week. It has been the best year of my life. Hopefully, JD will find his bottom and begin his trek back from the depths of insanity.

Robert Jones [Visitor] in response to: A letter to John Daly from a fellow traveler

Robert Jones [Visitor] — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:13:59 +0000

John Daly, and whoever else might see this,

I started my long road back from Alcoholism in 1990. I was an 'executive" with 2 beautiful kids, taught Sunday school, was the designated driver who could always be counted on. Then, I went over the edge, and it took me 8 years, 4 treatment centers, 3 halfway houses, living at the YMCA,detox centers 4 times, getting fired from many jobs, losing all I had, right down to everything but the clothes on my back.

When I finally had enough, and with the help of AA and other friends, I quit for good. Today, almost 10 years later, I have no desire to have a drink or a drug and life is good. I am married again, have a good job, my own business and children who love their dad.

I try to be honest with myself and others, and not to take life too seriously :) But, John, you will die, a long, slow death, if you don't get honest, not with us, but with yourself.

A couple of AA sayings come to mind, "The quality of my problems is much better today, than when I was drinking" and "you can turn a cucumber into a pickle, but you can't turn a pickle into a cucumber" Once you have crossed the line, there is no going back.

And, AA is not the only way to get sober, there are plenty of good ways. AA helped me to get started and I am grateful, but in the end, I had to want to stay sober.

You, and only you, can decide that you are sick and tired of feeling the way you feel when you wake up from being drunk. I hope you do just that, and become a sober useful human being again.

It's Friday afternoon in Charlotte, NC, 60 degrees, the sun is shining and I am taking off early for the rest of the day.

Life is good John, Join in. Reach out, and ask for help. You have to make up your own mind, but as soon as you do, honestly, there will be many hands there to walk along side with you, on the road to freedom.