In Race for Boston Mayor, Former Addicts Back Marty Walsh, Recovering Alcoholic

[NewYorkExpress]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/30/us/in-race-for-boston-mayor-former-addicts-back-candidate-with-a-past.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0

[Mechaman]

Wow really, this has been on the forum for how many days and no comment?

Well I can say that I'm glad for the man and that he has his heart in the right place.  Addicts nowdays number among unwanted and maligned groups in America.  It's great that we have guys like Walsh around who will advocate for them instead of giving them the black sheep treatment.  IT seems that a lot of people, especially now days with the public health education we have about harmful substances, just prefer to sit back and judge these types.

Anyway, this story really made my day and brought a smile to my face.  From what I read from his opponent seems to be anti-union, so I hope Walsh wins. .

[Badger]

Wow really, this has been on the forum for how many days and no comment?

Well I can say that I'm glad for the man and that he has his heart in the right place.  Addicts nowdays number among unwanted and maligned groups in America.  It's great that we have guys like Walsh around who will advocate for them instead of giving them the black sheep treatment.  IT seems that a lot of people, especially now days with the public health education we have about harmful substances, just prefer to sit back and judge these types.

Anyway, this story really made my day and brought a smile to my face.  From what I read from his opponent sees to be anti-union, so I hope Walsh wins. .

There is a huge distinction between recovering alcoholics and recovering drug addicts. Yes, I'm entirely aware that alcohol is a drug and the dynamics of addiction are similar, but society distinguishes between the two. We've recently elected an admitted recovering alcoholic as president (W.), why wouldn't we elect one mayor of Boston?

[Mechaman]

Wow really, this has been on the forum for how many days and no comment?

Well I can say that I'm glad for the man and that he has his heart in the right place.  Addicts nowdays number among unwanted and maligned groups in America.  It's great that we have guys like Walsh around who will advocate for them instead of giving them the black sheep treatment.  IT seems that a lot of people, especially now days with the public health education we have about harmful substances, just prefer to sit back and judge these types.

Anyway, this story really made my day and brought a smile to my face.  From what I read from his opponent sees to be anti-union, so I hope Walsh wins. .

There is a huge distinction between recovering alcoholics and recovering drug addicts. Yes, I'm entirely aware that alcohol is a drug and the dynamics of addiction are similar, but society distinguishes between the two. We've recently elected an admitted recovering alcoholic as president (W.), why wouldn't we elect one mayor of Boston?

I'm not really saying it's hard for a recovering addict to become a politician mind, just that there is a stigma against those who are STILL addicts and that it's great we have politician with backgrounds like Walsh who can reach out to these people and give them the bravery and courage to come out.  After all, NO ONE likes to admit they have a problem.  The way a lot of people nowdays address addicts is something akin to an unwanted, an other.  They prefer to get all judgmental and just list health statistics to them and imply the only way you would become an addict is if you are a brain dead idiot/moron who doesn't deserve much sympathy.  Sure, this makes some blue blooded people feel better about themselves, but in reality it only makes addicts self-defensive and continue to justify their behavior.  With the kind of judgmental society we have, should it be so surprising that we still have so many closet addicts?

This is why organizations like AA, some church recovery programs, etc. are so good at addressing addictions and addicts.  They actually understand the people and aren't out to throw judgment on them.  I've attended several AA meetings, they are great places to vent.  No one can judge you at them and it allows the addicts to just y'know, talk about what they do.  That way, the only person who is actually judging them is themselves.  Sure, there are "addict allies" or whatever you call them, but that's also more to the point.  It's always someone from a similar background who is there for emotional support who knows and has experienced what the other person has gone through and not some straight laced moron who has never gone through such trials.

[/Repeat Alcoholic]

[Badger]

 

Wow really, this has been on the forum for how many days and no comment?

Well I can say that I'm glad for the man and that he has his heart in the right place.  Addicts nowdays number among unwanted and maligned groups in America.  It's great that we have guys like Walsh around who will advocate for them instead of giving them the black sheep treatment.  IT seems that a lot of people, especially now days with the public health education we have about harmful substances, just prefer to sit back and judge these types.

Anyway, this story really made my day and brought a smile to my face.  From what I read from his opponent sees to be anti-union, so I hope Walsh wins. .

There is a huge distinction between recovering alcoholics and recovering drug addicts. Yes, I'm entirely aware that alcohol is a drug and the dynamics of addiction are similar, but society distinguishes between the two. We've recently elected an admitted recovering alcoholic as president (W.), why wouldn't we elect one mayor of Boston?

I'm not really saying it's hard for a recovering addict to become a politician mind, just that there is a stigma against those who are STILL addicts and that it's great we have politician with backgrounds like Walsh who can reach out to these people and give them the bravery and courage to come out.  After all, NO ONE likes to admit they have a problem.  The way a lot of people nowdays address addicts is something akin to an unwanted, an other.  They prefer to get all judgmental and just list health statistics to them and imply the only way you would become an addict is if you are a brain dead idiot/moron who doesn't deserve much sympathy.  Sure, this makes some blue blooded people feel better about themselves, but in reality it only makes addicts self-defensive and continue to justify their behavior.  With the kind of judgmental society we have, should it be so surprising that we still have so many closet addicts?

This is why organizations like AA, some church recovery programs, etc. are so good at addressing addictions and addicts.  They actually understand the people and aren't out to throw judgment on them.  I've attended several AA meetings, they are great places to vent.  No one can judge you at them and it allows the addicts to just y'know, talk about what they do.  That way, the only person who is actually judging them is themselves.  Sure, there are "addict allies" or whatever you call them, but that's also more to the point.  It's always someone from a similar background who is there for emotional support who knows and has experienced what the other person has gone through and not some straight laced moron who has never gone through such trials.

[/Repeat Alcoholic]

I wholly agree with you it's good that politicians like walsh can reach out and inspire recovering addicts. I hope I didn't inadvertantly communicate anything to the contrary.