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An Affair to Remember
Yesterday, following a press briefing on the subject of teen drug abuse, President Bush reminisced about his love/hate relationship with alcohol back in the 70's and 80's. Moved by the plight of a young, drug-addicted girl, the president offered words born of his personal battle with booze:
"Your president made the same kind of choice," he told her. "I had to quit drinking. ... Addiction competes for your affection ... You fall in love with alcohol."
Following the event, Bush granted ABC News an interview, and continued to muse about the nature of his entanglement as well as his decision to go cold turkey.
"I wasn't a knee walking drunk," Bush said. "It's a difficult thing to do, which is to kick an addiction."
... Bush said in his case, he made the decision to quit when he realized drinking was interfering with his family. "Alcohol can compete with your affections. It sure did in my case," Bush said, "affections with your family, or affections for exercise. It was the competition that I decided just wasn't worth it."
PD toolbar!Framing his drinking in terms of addiction is something new for the president. In the run-up to the 2000 election, faced with unearthed stories of a 1976 DUI arrest, Bush described his past behavior this way:
"Well, I don't think I had an addiction. You know it's hard for me to say. I've had friends who were, you know, very addicted... and they required hitting bottom [to start] going to A.A. I don't think that was my case."
Perhaps he's just older and wiser now, and can distinguish one too many hangovers from a larger, more worrisome pattern. What rings true, however--for anyone who has ever personally gone through addiction, or watched a loved one suffer its throes--is the couching of alcohol dependency in terms usually reserved for a romantic affair. Type the words "alcohol" and "love affair" into any search engine and see what pops up: a few hundred thousand testimonials written by recovering alcoholics.
Not all substance abuse metaphors are the same, of course. Whereas Mr. Bush's troubles might be likened to ongoing infidelity that threatened his personal relationships (or jogging routine), Barack Obama has known the headlong rush of escapism. His admissions of drug and alcohol use describe not an addiction, per se, as much as a high school brush with a potentially destructive femme fatale. In his book, Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, Obama reflects on where his behavior could have led him:
"Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final, fatal role of the young would-be black man. ...I got high [to] push questions of who I was out of my mind."
His admissions of trying pot (and he did inhale) and cocaine (Mr. Bush never would say one way or the other if he had) have caused some to wonder if there's such a thing as being too honest about the past. But therein lies a media double-standard. Tell the nation everything and the press will criticize you for it. Don't and they'll dig it up anyway and call you evasive. Personally, I find both Bush and Obama's disclosures to be refreshing. We all make mistakes, and can be made better for them. In many ways, coming clean about drug and alcohol abuse mirror the admission of a secret love affair. In both matters, honesty is the way to go.
UPDATE: Clinton official says the Republican candidates will go after Obama's drug use.
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505 comments
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David Knowles
A journalist, musician and novelist, David Knowles has covered politics at AOL for the past two and a half years...more
Comments (505)
David S.
11:11AM Dec 12th 2007
I could not agree more. I am sure Sen. Obama cleared the air because he knew someone would find out about his past and use it against him. Running for political office is tough - your whole life is under a magnifying glass. Most of us - including myself for sure - could not survive such scrutiny.
As to Bush, giving him credit, his story of quitting drinking is fine. Some people do just quit on their own without Alcoholics Anonymous or formal inpatient treatment. Besides, the "born again" crowd seemed to like Bush's story and it only endeared him to them more. Their philosophy is anything can be forgiven and that is not always so bad.
As to Bush, giving him credit, his story of quitting drinking is fine. Some people do just quit on their own without Alcoholics Anonymous or formal inpatient treatment. Besides, the "born again" crowd seemed to like Bush's story and it only endeared him to them more. Their philosophy is anything can be forgiven and that is not always so bad.
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Mr. Clark
11:39AM Dec 12th 2007
David Knowles,
I admire both of them for their honesty and for disclosing as much as they were comfortable with. It is a battle I am very familiar with. I have found that people turn to addiction for many different reasons. It is said it is a disease. I believe this to be true.
I will tell you what I am comfortable with and that will be that. I have heard many stories over the years. For me, I didn't hate myself...it was life that I had a problem with. In so many ways, it fell short of what my expectations were. I got those expectations primarily from three sources: TV, movies, and an idyllic suburban childhood. (Maybe I was a little too spoiled and protected in that environment.)
I was not prepared for what life really was or what it is not. I have lived in 12 cities and am in my 41st apartment/living situation. I have been in San Francisco for 12 years and this apartment for 3 3/4 years...both records (as an adult). I was a bartender by trade and I basically got paid to get higher-than-God for 13 1/2 years.
But, it did start to take its toll. I was one of the lucky ones. Drinking was ever present and the drugs may have changed over the years, but I realized I could not go on the way I was much longer. I was saved the hell of hitting a low-bottom.
For me, I had to grow up a little and accept life for what it actually was...the good and the bad.
Today and everyday I get to ask myself two questions:
1) Do I want to be happy today? (It is simply a decision any of gets to make each day.)
2) What do I want to do today? (Often, it really means...What do I need to do today?)
I keep on a steady course as far as my spiritual endeavors as I have found yesterday's spiritual lessons may not be of value for today's problems/opportunities. I keep my life as simple as possible and truly enjoy the people and things that come my way.
I avoid toxic negative people and situations and I try to help anybody who I can during my day...usually as anonymously as possible to keep my ego out of it.
One reason I enjoy "The Political Machine" is because of the diversity of the subject matter and it has proved to be a good gauge of where I am at spiritually that day. Although I am not religious, I am on a spiritual journey and that has been key for me. I try and keep an open mind as you never know who/where your next spiritual lesson will come from. Although every single day may not seem perfect, it really is in the long run...there is always something to learn.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Mr. Clark
I admire both of them for their honesty and for disclosing as much as they were comfortable with. It is a battle I am very familiar with. I have found that people turn to addiction for many different reasons. It is said it is a disease. I believe this to be true.
I will tell you what I am comfortable with and that will be that. I have heard many stories over the years. For me, I didn't hate myself...it was life that I had a problem with. In so many ways, it fell short of what my expectations were. I got those expectations primarily from three sources: TV, movies, and an idyllic suburban childhood. (Maybe I was a little too spoiled and protected in that environment.)
I was not prepared for what life really was or what it is not. I have lived in 12 cities and am in my 41st apartment/living situation. I have been in San Francisco for 12 years and this apartment for 3 3/4 years...both records (as an adult). I was a bartender by trade and I basically got paid to get higher-than-God for 13 1/2 years.
But, it did start to take its toll. I was one of the lucky ones. Drinking was ever present and the drugs may have changed over the years, but I realized I could not go on the way I was much longer. I was saved the hell of hitting a low-bottom.
For me, I had to grow up a little and accept life for what it actually was...the good and the bad.
Today and everyday I get to ask myself two questions:
1) Do I want to be happy today? (It is simply a decision any of gets to make each day.)
2) What do I want to do today? (Often, it really means...What do I need to do today?)
I keep on a steady course as far as my spiritual endeavors as I have found yesterday's spiritual lessons may not be of value for today's problems/opportunities. I keep my life as simple as possible and truly enjoy the people and things that come my way.
I avoid toxic negative people and situations and I try to help anybody who I can during my day...usually as anonymously as possible to keep my ego out of it.
One reason I enjoy "The Political Machine" is because of the diversity of the subject matter and it has proved to be a good gauge of where I am at spiritually that day. Although I am not religious, I am on a spiritual journey and that has been key for me. I try and keep an open mind as you never know who/where your next spiritual lesson will come from. Although every single day may not seem perfect, it really is in the long run...there is always something to learn.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Mr. Clark
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(0) nomoreidiots
2:26PM Dec 12th 2007
See what drinking can do to you. Look at all the things that the President can't recall.
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(0) chicagostanford
2:30PM Dec 12th 2007
Too late! His brain was already damaged.
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(0) georgia
2:33PM Dec 12th 2007
nomoreidiots2:26PMDec 12th 2007
See what drinking can do to you. Look at all the things that the President can't recall.
You must be talking about the Clintons
They are the ones that can't recall or just outright lie. To think they are getting millions to write books about thier life and they can never remember all the crap they did.
See what drinking can do to you. Look at all the things that the President can't recall.
You must be talking about the Clintons
They are the ones that can't recall or just outright lie. To think they are getting millions to write books about thier life and they can never remember all the crap they did.
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(0) sara
2:36PM Dec 12th 2007
Cute. Now let's see how the next generation will be affected in a long run from daddy's drug use
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(0) ms r
2:36PM Dec 12th 2007
a little late to tri an be honest .we know your a mess bubba an so is your party girl but that got hushed quick now they want her to be susie home maker what a laff
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(0) therapmatrix
2:37PM Dec 12th 2007
THE MEDIA ANY AND EVERY WAY YOU CAN! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE THE MEDIA! THAT SAME SHIT YOU TRY TO THROW IN MY FACE ABOUT INHERITANCE DREAMS OF MY FATHER! IM GONNA USE THAT IN COURT! FIND OUT WHAT YOUR FAMILY DID AND DO YOU CARRY THE SINS OF YOURS BECAUSE OF YOU! YOU PEOPLE ARE A JOKE! ONE MINUTE YOU BRAG ABOUT THEY ARE DEMONIC ATTACKING YOU THEN WHEN I CONTACT AUTHORITIES ITS YOU! TIME WARNER EVERYONE KNOWS YOU ARE PART OF THE ILLUMINATTI! WE ALL KNOW IT! YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY ITS WELL PUBLICIZED THAT YOU HAVE YOUR NWO CARD FOR YEARS NOW! BRING YOURSELF TO COURT AND GET A GOOD VIEW! GOODLUCK! AND THANX CAUSE ONE OF YOUR ARTIST THAT SIGNED TO WARNER BROTHERS A DIVISION OF TIME WARNER ALSO AFFILIATED WITH CNN THAT YOU HAD APPEAR ON CNN AND ASKED HIM A QUESTION ABOUT CHILD MOLESTING! THEY HAVE A VIDEO OF HIM MOLESTING LITTLE KIDS! BUT OFCOURSE THAT GETS NO COVERAGE! CAUSE HE IS AN EMPLOYEE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION AND IT HAS DIRECT TIES TO THIS CASE! YOU PEOPLE ARE FUCKING SICK TO DEATH! GOD PLEASE KILL THESE PEOPLE! DO YOUR RESEARCH! OR DONT! ILL DO IT FOR YOU! GOODLUCK!
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(0) milakette
2:41PM Dec 12th 2007
I wonder when Bill (Clinton, for you in Rio Linda) will to talk about both his additions: lies and women --not in this order, bien sure!
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(0) Bruce V. Hoffinger
2:40PM Dec 12th 2007
Bush is a religious man? Why didn't he rely on G-d when he had problems?
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(0) cyberma777
2:40PM Dec 12th 2007
Glad Bush could admit he made a mistake once and took steps to correct it. Now, what about all the mistakes he made during his administration? He could start by reinstating the Constitution.
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(0) thom jefferson
2:41PM Dec 12th 2007
don't see any mention of G.W. Bush's coke bust while transferring from the Alabama Guard back to the Texas Air Guard. he lost his pilot status for his refusal to take drug tests after that one.
the record has been expunged but it was definitely a coke bust.
the record has been expunged but it was definitely a coke bust.
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(0) JoeW
2:43PM Dec 12th 2007
We should keep in mind the fact that ALL human beings are not perfect and never will be. EVERY ONE of us has imperfections and weaknesses and we should keep that in mind when we judge people.
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(0) connie
2:43PM Dec 12th 2007
ALL OF YOU HERE.. ARE FOOLS... I ASSUME YOU'LL ARE PERFECT.. AT LEAST THE PRES ADMITS HE HAD ADDICTIONS.. SO LIVE WITH IT... OR PUT YOUR SELF IN A REHAB... JUST MAY DO YOU GOOD...
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(0) Diane
2:43PM Dec 12th 2007
I'm not a big Bush supporter but, I absolutely admire both him and Obama for coming clean in their own time and in their own way.
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(0) S. Lee
2:47PM Dec 12th 2007
ms r
You'd being doing yourself a favor if you wrote less and studied grammar more.
You'd being doing yourself a favor if you wrote less and studied grammar more.
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(0) connie
2:46PM Dec 12th 2007
RIGHT ON JOEW ^5
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(0) Destin
2:48PM Dec 12th 2007
I agree that coming clean is the best policy. I don't agree with the current or past "drug war" situation and conditions. The question far too many times has come to mind, "What is the World coming to?" Put me in control. I could do a much better job than anyone. But then, I'd ruin some plans. So I couldn't expect too many votes. But that's ok. I believe I'l just ride the New Waves.
www.destintanerobooks.com
(not a bookstore)
www.destintanerobooks.com
(not a bookstore)
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(0) mr r r
2:47PM Dec 12th 2007
mr bush and his good friend mr obamaaaaa need to take a ride in a slow boat to nowhere.
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(0) agirlof2000
2:51PM Dec 12th 2007
You know, if he was still an alcoholic, that would solve alot of problems. He'd be impeached, and the United States would be much better.
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