[RKV]

I'm of two minds on this story. First it explains a lot about Ebert's knee jerk leftie politics. Second, I find it difficult to criticize someone who has taken the difficult steps to get sober after being alcoholic.

In Ebert's case I'll make an exception, mainly because the man has no class, even after being off booze for years. I reread his article on "Public prayer fanatics borrow page from enemy's script" from the March 2003 Sun-Times where he criticizes Bush and Ashcroft and as much as calls them equivalent to the Taliban. Not. Even. Close. Roger.

I'll tell you what Roger Ebert is, at least as far as remote diagnosis can tell - he's the dry drunk. Oh, he's not on the bottle anymore, he just ain't sober yet. And after all these years.

Key symptoms - grandiosity, judgmentalism, intolerance , impulsivity, and indecisiveness which leads to mood swings, self absorption, detachment and escapism.

After all the cr@p that GWB had to put up with from lefties calling him a dry drunk, I think it is fair to return the favor. Glad you're off the bottle, Roger, now see if you can disagree with your political opponents without name-calling, OK? You can talk about being a dry drunk, but can you recognize the symptoms in your own rhetoric? You may or may not agree what's best on any given issue, Rog old boy, but your fellow Americans of the conservative persuasion, are NOT the Talib. Remember that. If we were, you'd already have been publicly humiliated by being dragged around a mosque, with a flogging thrown in for good measure.

[raybbr]

I'm of two minds on this story. First it explains a lot about Ebert's knee jerk leftie politics.

In what way?

[alloysteel]

Is this the Roger from “American Dad”? Now THAT Roger, I could understand and even have some sympathy for. That creature is flawed and knows it, while this guy from the Sun-Times, well, he has yet to declare his humanity.

[raybbr]

AA Ping

[Old Sarge]

THREAD OF THE DAY!

DING DING DING! What do we have for him, Johnny?

[KarlInOhio]

A.A. believes there is an enormous difference between bring dry and being sober. It is not enough to simply abstain. You need to heal and repair the damage to yourself and others. We talk about "white-knuckle sobriety," which might mean, "I'm sober as long as I hold onto the arms of this chair." People who are dry but not sober are on a "dry drunk."

I never liked the term "dry drunk". I seems to imply that the AA way is the only way. If you are able to use another method or even just decide that you've been drinking too much and need to stop that you are no better off than before, and may in some ways be worse off.

[devane617]

My name is Billy, and I am a booty-a-holic.

[the long march]

“Key symptoms - grandiosity, judgmentalism, intolerance , impulsivity, and indecisiveness which leads to mood swings, self absorption, detachment and escapism. “ Pot calling kettle black

As far as I can tell once an alkie always an alkie ( even though we have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body)

What I don’t like about Ebert is that at a level of the press he has violated the traditions and not remained anonymous. There is a reason for that tradition.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Very well said. I’m so sick and tired of these hypocrites who take the rest of us for granted.

And what poor business judgment these loudmouths have. I barely turn my TV on any more. I’m sure their sponsors really appreciate it.

Good for you Roger that you’ve beaten an addiction. Now work on your immaturity.

[Sudetenland]

My, aren't we being a bit jusdgmental?

I've known a bunch of alcoholics in my years in AA, none of them are close to perfection. Many of them are extremely liberal, many conservative and pretty uniformly spread across the spectrum...I don't understand it...I don't understand how you can be part of a program that dictates taking responsibility for your part and which demands rigorous honesty and still think that government should solve all of your problems...but I accept it just the same.

I know that it is not my place to say that Ebert is on a dry drunk, or if he is "working a good program," that is his business.

I can judge his politics, but I cannot judge his sobriety. If he is working a good program is something that lies between him, his AA sponsor, and God, as he recognizes him. I am not involved there.

I only know that I am far from perfect in working this program and that I have never, ever, met anyone who works it any better than I (or worse, if they remain sober and are receiving the 12 promises).

Ebert is a jerk when it comes to politics...and films...but I have nothing but the utmost respect for this piece and what he has attempted to do. Would that more of the press promoted the spirituality and recovery offered by AA rather than sneering at it.

[Ditter]

I always thought that “dry drunk” since I had never heard that before, was yet another way to insult George Bush.

[Albion Wilde]

I loathe the man's politics. But if you never knew anything about Roger Ebert and just take this story at face value, it is meaningful and helpful to those who may be seeking help. Spoken as the teetotalling family member of several alcoholics.

By the way, the programs specifically for non-using family members are also very helpful -- Al Anon for wives or husbands, ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) for those whose parents or grandparents had issues with alcohol. There are also the NarAnon (drug abuse) and Overeaters Anonymous programs.

I just ran through the checklist linked at the bottom of the article, and it appears I have a computer addiction; and my "drug of choice" is FR.

[Fido969]

Key symptoms - grandiosity, judgmentalism, intolerance , impulsivity, and indecisiveness which leads to mood swings, self absorption, detachment and escapism.

11th step isn't the only place he might need to do some work, guy also seems to have a problem with the 11th tradition.

Not that I'm taking his inventory or anything...

[x]

If Roger were a drunk it would explain some of the movies he recommended.

[razorback-bert]

I actually read the whole thing, it isn’t bad.

That said, there plenty of sober assholes in the world.

[tiki]

I agree on the dry drunk theory, I know a few of them and I kind of like drunks better.

[RichInOC]

Not to make light of his substance-abuse problem, but there’s another program he needs to get into:

“Hi, I’m Roger, and I’m assholic.”
“HI, ROGER!”

[danamco]

Honestly, have ever dealt with alcoholism within your own family???

[Glenn]

In Ebert's case I'll make an exception, mainly because the man has no class, even after being off booze for years.

Hearing that from you, I expect that you have an opinion on all the people you meet in life.

Get over yourself. You are insecure and judgmental.

In other words, you are meaningless in sincere discussions.

[Gilbo_3]

A.A. has spread to every continent and into countless languages, and remains essentially invisible. I was dumbfounded to discover there was a meeting all along right down the hall from my desk.

agreed on the 'ebert is a lefty ass' portion...

at first I wondered about blowin the traditions, but grandiosity is his middle name...

as the quote sums up, we are blinded to the world around us until we choose to see it...