Project A.F.U.: Walk Against Alcoholism

[Sweet William]

Given the recent debates here on Forums, I was thinking about starting up a walkathon to take place in the Los Angeles area in 2003 to raise money for treatment programs run by Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and Al-Ateen.

Everyone is familiar with AA. Al-Anon and Al-Ateen help the families of alcoholics.

My thinking was that for every donation in honor of Eddie Van Halen (who may or may not be involved in a battle with alcoholism), AA, Al-Anon or Al-Ateen might agree to send a personalized card to the guitarist.

Given that Project 316 is an anti-cancer walkathon in which people are being asked to donate in honor of Ed even though it's not wholly clear he had/has cancer, it might make sense to do an anti-alcoholism walkathon in which people are asked to donate in honor of Ed even though it's not wholly clear he has a drinking problem.

My current thinking is that we could call this walkathon Project A.F.U., which seems quite fitting for obvious reasons.

Some Forums members have privately suggested to me that we call the walkathon Project Strung Out, but my current thinking is that we save that name for a future walkathon that will undoubtedly be held when some well-meaning people decide that Ed may have had a recent battle with cocaine, heroin, powerful prescription meds or some other so-called "hard" drug (even though the fact that such a "battle" took place will not be wholly clear).

Is anyone interested in helping me organize Project A.F.U.?

[Ben Italiano]

Strungout is a good name [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] where do I SIGN ?

Originally posted by Sweet William:
Given the recent debates here on Forums, I was thinking about starting up a walkathon to take place in the Los Angeles area in 2003 to raise money for treatment programs run by Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and Al-Ateen.

Everyone is familiar with AA. Al-Anon and Al-Ateen help the families of alcoholics.

My thinking was that for every donation in honor of Eddie Van Halen (who may or may not be involved in a battle with alcoholism), AA, Al-Anon or Al-Ateen might agree to send a personalized card to the guitarist.

Given that Project 316 is an anti-cancer walkathon in which people are being asked to donate in honor of Ed even though it's not wholly clear he had/has cancer, it might make sense to do an anti-alcoholism walkathon in which people are asked to donate in honor of Ed even though it's not wholly clear he has a drinking problem.

My current thinking is that we could call this walkathon Project A.F.U., which seems quite fitting for obvious reasons.

Some Forums members have privately suggested to me that we call the walkathon Project Strung Out, but my current thinking is that we save that name for a future walkathon that will undoubtedly be held when some well-meaning people decide that Ed may have had a recent battle with cocaine, heroin, powerful prescription meds or some other so-called "hard" drug (even though the fact that such a "battle" took place will not be wholly clear).

Is anyone interested in helping me organize Project A.F.U.?

[MikeL]

I like the idea. A sister project for drummer's who can't maintain a stable marriage seems appropriate, too. Project Alimony.

[VH Spirit Lives On]

You guys are too much! A walk-a-thon against alcoholism? PLEASE!!! And then donating your hard earned money to sham groups like AA, Al-Anon, and Al-ateen? Come on!!! Get real.

Yeah, this is the Van Halen spirit alright.

AA is a joke. Want proof? Here it is: The first of 12 steps is that you must admit that you are powerless over alcohol. Let me clue some of you in on a simple little secret...

If nobody is holding you down and forcing you to drink against your will, then you are not powerless over alcohol. YOU decide whether or not to drink. Period. want to stop? Great! You have my blessing. Need help stopping? That's cool too. Just don't BS yourself into believing that you were powerless, because you aren't. You have the power to stop any time you want. It's called free choice.

I'll mention one other thing too: This crap about turning your life over to a higher power shouldn't even be thought of seriously by anyone out of elementary school.

"Oh dear imaginary super-power in the sky, please help me to stop drinking."

Yeah, right. The danger in that way of thinking is that you are giving up your own power. If you successfully quit drinking, then you should claim that as something YOU did, that YOU took power and control over. Not say that some imaginary being did it for you.

Also, it isn't good to label yourself an alcoholic. It is better to simply say that you are someone who made a series of destructive choices, but are now making healthy ones. People tend to live up to the labels they give themselves. Sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Another thing, in the beginning of stopping drinking I certainly can appreciate the idea of taking things one day at a time. Heck, sometimes one micro-second at a time is hard enough, but after awhile it needn't stay in your conscious that much. If it is still there, you still have a problem whether you are drinking or not. Remember, you choose your own thoughts. "Where attention goes, energy flows." Focus on health, well-being, peace, and joy. Don't give all of your energy over to focusing on alcoholism.

Also, drinking is NOT a disease, PERIOD. It is a CHOICE. Cancer is a disease. I loved the cancer walk-a-thon idea.

I've been sober now since January 1, 1993. I did it by myself- and no it wasn't always easy. I am sympathetic for those who can't quit by their self. Just find a better group than AA to help you do it.

[gerper]

After reading about Eddie, NAMM, the cancer walk, and now the AA thingy, I am just really getting tired of all the speculation, advice, and judgement that is being passed on (specifically to Eddie). He's an adult, if he wants to drink (and if he is), let him. If he smokes, after dodging the cancer bullit twice, and wants to continue to do so, let him (again, if he is). I must say, after watching my father die from cancer this past summer, and just praying for a miracle that did not happen, Eddie is really lucky to have received treatment and have success with it.
He is an adult. If he wants to continue to drink and/or smoke, let him. If (and when) he decides to get the band back on track, great! Until then, either listen to your old VH music or move on.
I'm just tired of the advice for the guy. When he is ready, he will release something. It may be this year, it may be 10 years from now. I know that I am not going to sit with baited breath, waiting for word from 5150. I have a life, family, and job, and my world does not revolve around Eddie or speculations as to what his next move will be.
Best of luck with whatever walk or charity organization that members of this board are going to do. I'm tired of reading, speculating, and waiting. I'm moving on.....

[Sweet William]

VH Spirit Lives On,

Wow. Quite a post. You bring up a really interesting philosophical point, my brother -- should Project A.F.U. involve itself with the quasi-religious 12-step aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous, or not? While I find it a little curious (Freudian, even), that someone so against putting one's faith in a higher power chose a screen name containing the words "Spirit Lives On," I accept your views as sincere.

And I am equally sincere. All I want is to see Project A.F.U. become a success. There is an organization called Rational Recovery that is basically the anti-AA. They believe in people beating alcohol by putting their faith in their OWN power, not that of a higher being. Check 'em out at: http://www.rational.org/Q&A.html

I'm open to having Project A.F.U. partner with Rational Recovery instead of AA. I spoke with one of the national coordinators at AA this morning, and she was very interested in the idea. In fact, she's a Van Halen fan ("I read Ed and Al have been known to split a case of Schlitz tall boys in a day!," was one of her comments). However, I didn't commit to anything with AA and am willing to place some calls to Rational Recovery to see if they're open to Project A.F.U.

But before I do that, I'd like to hear what the Van Halen internet community thinks. Please offer your views.

Also, several members of Forums and DiamondDavidLeeRoth.com, and one member of RedRocker.com, are on board to help with walkathon organization. We can always use more help people, so don't be shy.

Also, Mike L., could you update on any progress you've made with Project Why Can't This Be Love: Walk Against Divorce?

[ January 20, 2003, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: Sweet William ]

[Crazy from the Hemp]

If you really love and admire Edward, then now is the time for some tough love.

Ed, you're a drunk. You're wasting what's left of your life and a God Given talent that thousands of us would kill to have. You're a slave to a bottle. Climb out of that bottle and join the rest of us in the real world. We're waiting for you to share your gifts. We love you.

If you'd rather stay and die in that bottle, you are a weak and selfish person, undeserving of our continued support and admiration. Good riddance.

The choice is yours.

IMO - these are the words that Ed needs to hear and not sycophantic support or repeated denials that:

A) He's not drinking

B) So what if he is

Yes, Ed has a right to end his life in a pathetic manner, spiraling into nothingness or he could live out his days in happiness, befitting a man who's given the world so much happiness. Personally, I'd prefer the latter, and that takes tough love at this point, not marches or denials. I hope the people closest to him realize this. Unfortunately, I think there's a lot of people that make money off Edward, but not a lot of people that can give him the push he needs.

[ January 20, 2003, 11:53 AM: Message edited by: Crazy from the Hemp ]

[Yerfdog]

A Walk-A-Thon would just be in bad taste. Perhaps a Drink-A-Thon would be more in the ...er...spirit of things....

[Brett]

For those writing novels here, I have just one word for you.....

S A R C A S M !!!

[Zahzoo]

My personal opinion... this is just a knee-jerk reaction to all of the negative unsubstaniated bullshit spread on the net regarding Ed's drinking...

Frankly I think this is just petty jumping on the band-wagon to gain attention from this group to fufill some missing thing in your life that your momma didn't give you...

Edited for proper Sarcasm content...

[ January 20, 2003, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: Zahzoo ]

[Glenn]

Sarcasm, some people get it, some people don't!!

[Sweet William]

Right on, Glenn.

Reading some of the replies to my Project A.F.U. idea makes me think there is a real need for another walkathon.

Tentative name -- Project Sucker in a 3 Piece: The Walk Against Stupidity.

[VH Spirit Lives On]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sweet William:
[QB]VH Spirit Lives On,

Wow. Quite a post. You bring up a really interesting philosophical point, my brother -- should Project A.F.U. involve itself with the quasi-religious 12-step aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous, or not?

Dude... I think your heart is in the right place. You're trying to do something constructive that will help people. That's very honorable, and I appreciate your willingness to stick your neck out to do it.

I went to the www.rational.org Web site and checked it out. They are religious whack jobs!!! Check out the links in the page you posted such as the EMBODIMENT OF THE BEAST link. Talk about folks being out in left field. I DO however agree with many of their positions against AA, but it stops there.

Here is a quote from that site summarizing the AVRT treatment methodology they use:

"Observe your thoughts and feelings, positive and negative, about drinking or using. Thoughts and feelings which support continued use are called the Addictive Voice (AV); those which support abstinence are you. When you recognize and understand your AV, it becomes not-you, but "it," an easily-defeated enemy that has been causing you to drink. All it wants is pleasure. "I want a drink," becomes, "It wants a drink.""

What non-sense!!! IT wants you to drink? Why can't anyone take responsibility for their own choices any longer? If you want a drink, then YOU want a drink.... not IT. Unless you believe that an invisible demonic voice resides in your head. But let's not even go there...

I respect your intention to help others. We will just have to agree to disagree on the best way to do so.

VH Spirit is about a lifestyle, a mindset, something that transcends the boundaries of social or religious rules and doctrines. Rock on!!!

[VH Spirit Lives On]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sweet William:
[QB]VH Spirit Lives On,

Wow. Quite a post. You bring up a really interesting philosophical point, my brother -- should Project A.F.U. involve itself with the quasi-religious 12-step aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous, or not?

Dude... I think your heart is in the right place. You're trying to do something constructive that will help people. That's very honorable, and I appreciate your willingness to stick your neck out to do it.

I went to the www.rational.org Web site and checked it out. They are religious whack jobs!!! Check out the links in the page you posted such as the EMBODIMENT OF THE BEAST link. Talk about folks being out in left field. I DO however agree with many of their positions against AA, but it stops there.

Here is a quote from that site summarizing the AVRT treatment methodology they use:

"Observe your thoughts and feelings, positive and negative, about drinking or using. Thoughts and feelings which support continued use are called the Addictive Voice (AV); those which support abstinence are you. When you recognize and understand your AV, it becomes not-you, but "it," an easily-defeated enemy that has been causing you to drink. All it wants is pleasure. "I want a drink," becomes, "It wants a drink.""

What non-sense!!! IT wants you to drink? Why can't anyone take responsibility for their own choices any longer? If you want a drink, then YOU want a drink.... not IT. Unless you believe that an invisible demonic voice resides in your head. But let's not even go there...

I respect your intention to help others. We will just have to agree to disagree on the best way to do so.

VH Spirit is about a lifestyle, a mindset, something that transcends the boundaries of social or religious rules and doctrines. Rock on!!!

[Sweet William]

Mike L.,

Might I suggest the following name for your walkathon: Project Why Can't This Be Love: Walk Against Divorce.

You might want to contact Rejoice Ministries, an anti-divorce organization, to see if they would be interested in teaming up with the Van Halen internet community much as the American Cancer Society has done with regard to Project 316. Check 'em out at: http://www.rejoiceministries.org/ucanhelp.html

Mike L., dude you have my help and support at your disposal on this important project.