I posted this in an online recovery forum that had drunks slipping in and out ... people that wanted to get sober but unable to "get the message" to stay sober ...

For my money, "Types of AA Meetings " by Cliff B., nails the chicken to the post.... "If we are so intelligent, how come we are so stupid.." (click the link) 

When I got sober in Feb 1974 the old farts then, Cliff W with 34, Chuck with 27 and Tex with 26, would tolerate none of the BS we see in meetings today, would quickly take charge and bring the meeting back to PROGRAM OF RECOVERY, removing, by force if necessary, disruptive drunks to the "Serenity" room or out the door..... if they would not or could not follow directions they are not ready to get sober...  

The Fellowship has gained in apathy and complacency since then, with attitudes carried over from the spin-dries.

From the original manuscript, which they insisted I use to get and understand the nuts and bolts of AA and recovery

"Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after, have been designed to sell you three pertinent ideas:
(a) That you are alcoholic and cannot manage your own life.
(b) That probably no human power can relieve your alcoholism.
(c) That God can and will.

If you are not convinced on these vital issues, you ought to re-read the book to this point or else throw it away!

If you are convinced, you are now at step three," 
(steps 1 and 2 are done!)

The words of the old farts:
"If you are still not convinced and if you don't want to do what you are told to do NOW, there's the door, a$$hole, don't let it hit you in the butt, go on out and get the convincer, buy the best case of booze you can afford, get it on until you can't get it on no damn more, then come on back if you are still alive!!"  
Those very words were my introduction to the nuts and bolts of A.A and a big reason I am still sober today, , later. Thank God they did not "baby" me then... and taught me to not "baby" any of my "pigeons."  

If the daily steps, 1, 10, 11, & 12 are being "practiced" from the very beginning of sobriety, by the time the pigeon gets through step 9, a spiritual awakening will have occurred, and a conscious contact with a Higher Power will have been established, and he will no longer consider himself as a "sick" alcoholic, but a grateful recovered alcoholic, still with flaws to be uncovered as more is revealed, but "Love and tolerance of others is our code," "And we have ceased fighting anything and everything, even alcohol," "For by this time sanity will have returned" and "Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor afraid. That is how we shall remain as long as we stay in fit spiritual condition."  

And be very grateful to be an alcoholic, able to carry the loving message There is a solution, and the PROGRAM OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS on to the next drunk who honestly wants sobriety and is willing to make the effort.

Love and Peace, Barefoot

Index of AA History Pages on Barefoot's Domain

As in so many things, especially with we alcoholics, our History is our Greatest Asset!.. We each arrived at the doors of AA with an intensive and lengthy "History of Things That Do Not Work" .. Today, In AA and In Recovery, Our History has added an intensive and lengthy "History of Things That DO Work!!" and We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it!!

ABC Page 60 from the Big Book

KEEP COMING BACK!

ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Barefoot's World

On the Web August, 2008 in the Spirit of Cooperation

Three mighty important things, Pardn'r, LOVE And PEACE and SOBRIETY