| July 1, 2005 | Truth in Talk Radio | |
| July 8, 2005 | Women for Sobriety | |
| July 15, 2005 | Coming | |
| July 22, 2005 | Coming | |
| July 29, 2005 | Coming |
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Sometimes there are moments when we finally ‘get it’. I heard such a moment a few weeks ago as I listened to a radio talk show. I only heard a few minutes of conversation, so I’m not even sure what the topic was. Allow me to reconstruct what I did hear of the radio conversation.
A caller called a show host and asked: “You’re always pointing out what’s wrong with everything. What do you do to make things better?”
The show host bristled: “I don’t make things better. I get paid to point out stupid things that are going on!”
The caller continue: “But what do you do to make things better?”
The host replied: “What do you do?”
Without any air of self righteousness, the caller replied: “Well, I adopted a poor kid from the city. I hope that at least one more child will get a chance to grow up in an environment free from constant violence and drugs.”
The show host replied something to the effect: “Good for you. But I’m not a Minister and that’s not my job. I get paid to be a critic.”
Some time ago, a radio commentator told the secret of talk shows. He said: “It’s all wrapped up in the three C’s – “Controversy creates cash.”
Talk show hosts typically get paid to make you mad. The more controversy they create the more cash they make. The angrier they make you, the more money they make. The more they stir the pot, the more listeners they seem to get.
It’s about making money. It’s not about some campaign for ‘truth and justice in the American way’, as Superman used to be!
Some time ago, this same show host had a polemic on the annulment process in the Church. Let me say, up front, that I’m well aware of the misunderstanding surrounding the annulment process, and the numbers of people alienated from the Church who don’t even seek an annulment because of the misunderstandings.
At the same time, I’m aware that the Archdiocese of Baltimore, under the direction of Monsignor Kenney, has one of the finest Tribunals in the world. The annulment process is pastoral and caring. No one is ever refused an annulment for lack of ability to pay. The fees that are charged go to cover the administrative costs associated with a judicial proceeding.
So, on one particular occasion, this particular show host was repeating much of the misinformation about annulments. He even went so far as to say that it was another money-making scheme for the Church.
So, I called the show to explain the process, and correct the misinformation. I was told by the producer that the host had moved on to another topic. “But”, I replied, “He’s saying things that aren’t true.” “He’s moved on to a new topic”, the producer said, and I was disconnected.
Commercial talk shows are about money, and not necessarily about truth. Truth will be sacrificed to controversy if it brings listeners.
Andy Rooney once wondered: “Is everything about money? Is everything for sale?”
In so many areas of our culture, the Golden Rule has been replaced by the Rule of Gold – if you have the gold you make the rules. Talk shows are just one more example.
But in the grand scheme of things, the man and the family who adopted one child have done infinitely more for humanity than all the talk shows on the planet. As one wise commentator put it: “When all is said and done, more is said than done!”
Back in the early Spring, I had the privilege of leading a retreat weekend for an Al-Anon Group. Alcoholics Anonymous is a 12-step program for those in recovery from the disease of alcoholism. Al-Anon is a 12 step program for families and friends of alcoholics. These are life changing groups that have helped millions and millions of people.
I’ll never forget one woman summing up what Al-Anon did for her. She said: “I learned that I didn’t cause my husband’s drinking. I couldn’t control it. And I couldn’t change it. I really learned, through hours of group support, to let go and let God.”
Ironically, the same weekend that I was part of this Al-Anon retreat, there was another group on retreat that I had never heard of. It’s called Women For Sobriety, Inc. I know nothing about the group, other than what was in their brochure. Women For Sobriety has been helping women since July, 1975. Allow me to quote the stated reason for the group’s existence:
“Until the founding of WFS, it was assumed that any program for recovery from alcoholism would work equally well for women as for men. When it became obvious that recovery rates for male alcoholics were higher than for females, it was then declared that women were harder to treat and were less cooperative than male alcoholics.
WFS came forth with the belief that women alcoholics require a different kind of program in recovery than the kinds of programs for male alcoholics. The success of the WFS ‘New Life’ Program has shown this to be true. Although the physiological recovery from alcoholism is the same for both sexes, the psychological (emotional) needs for women are very different in recovery from those of the male alcoholic.
Based upon a Thirteen Statement Program of positivity that encourages emotional and spiritual growth, the ‘New Life’ program has been extremely effective in helping women to overcome their alcoholism and learn a whole new lifestyle”.
Here are their 13 Statements. I think they can help anyone, anywhere in life:
1. I have a life-threatening problem that once had me.
2. Negative thoughts destroy only me.
3. Happiness is a habit I will develop.
4. Problems bother me only to the degree I permit them to.
5. I am what I think.
6. Life can be ordinary or it can be great.
7. Love can change the course of my world.
8. The fundamental object of life is emotional and spiritual growth.
9. The past is gone forever.
10. All love given, returns.
11. Enthusiasm is my daily exercise.
12. I am a competent woman and have much to give to life.
13. I am responsible for myself and my actions.
A thoughtful list, isn’t it? Recovery is more than stopping drinking, although that has to be the first step. Until I stop killing myself, I can’t build a very positive life.
For more information, you can contact Women For Sobriety, Inc. P.O. Box 618. Quakerstown, Pennsylvania 18951-0618. Ph 215-536-8026.
One final story. A cook told me that, if you put one crab in a pot, it will crawl out. If you put two crabs in a pot, one will always keep pulling the other back down. If you hang out with negative people, you will keep being pulled down. If you associate with positive and life-giving people, you will help each other up. That’s what 12-step, and 13 statement programs are really all about!
Women for Sobriety
Catholic Review, July 8, 2005
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Catholic Review, July 29, 2005