[IronJack]

The character assumed no accountability for his problem.

Which demonstrates only a superficial understanding of the 12-step philosophy, whose first step is "Came to understand that I was powerless, that my life had become unmanageable."

For most alcoholics, it's not enough to just put the cork back in the bottle. It takes a complete change of life. The alcoholic who just stops drinking -- South Park's simplistic "solution" to Stan Marsh's imaginary problem -- is just a dry drunk, a relapse waiting to happen. For the solution to be permanent and effective, there are 11 more steps to go through, and dodging accountability is absolute anathema to that process.

This strikes me as the childish whining of someone who was caught driving drunk and forced to attend AA. Does anyone know if that happened to Parker or Stone, or someone in their inner circle, recently?

[HairOfTheDog]

This strikes me as the childish whining of someone who was caught driving drunk and forced to attend AA. Does anyone know if that happened to Parker or Stone, or someone in their inner circle, recently?

I wondered the same thing, if they'd recently been through it... though I found it to be a poignant observation of AA.

[Oztrich Boy]

Which demonstrates only a superficial understanding of the 12-step philosophy

What what part of this thread gave you the impression that any understanding of what a program is aimed to do is required before condemning it?

[sully777]

IMO, Penn and Teller took on the 12 Step AA program on their Showtime program Bullsh*t. It's worth watching and considering in light of the religious aspects of "miracles" portrayed in South Park.

I found it an interesting juxtaposition between Trey and Matt's use of the title Bleeding Mary and the drink by a similar name, AA meetings and religiousness of icons to the mind, and healings from diseases through mind power or through the supernatural. I wonder if it occurred to any literalists on this thread that this episode is a complex satire. Afterall, it is a cartoon known for biting satire.

[Blzbba]

" The alcoholic who just stops drinking -- South Park's simplistic "solution" to Stan Marsh's imaginary problem -- is just a dry drunk, a relapse waiting to happen. For the solution to be permanent and effective, there are 11 more steps to go through, and dodging accountability is absolute anathema to that process."

I disagree. The President never completed a 12-step program and hasn't had a drink in years.