I was throwing out some ineffective treatment books this morning, when I came upon my AA Big Book. Yes, the divinely inspired tome to spiritual enlightenment brought to us by His prophet Bill W (whose likeness may not be depicted in any form). Instead of throwing the book away and contaminating my local recycle center, I thought I would save the book so I could video it being destroyed by my shotgun and then post that video on YouTube with commentary, of course. Then came another wild thought!

It occurred to me that with the recent Koran controversy and the ridiculous amount of media attention it received, that when a product/service gets notoriety with any publicity (good or bad) as many business owners know, it is almost invariably good for "business". The key, of course, is the media attention. It's free advertising.

This shocking idea popped up in my head today.

How about if all of us TSMer's go to several local AA meetings where we are not known and buy several AA big books over the course of a week or so. Then, contact our local media outlets that we will be having a book burning somewhere (everybody hates those), where we will legally burn the AA Big Book that has ruined and killed so many lives, when there are viable medical solutions with much higher efficacy rates available, such as TSM.

The event could be held on July 25, the anniversary of Naltrexone's original US Patent #3332950 in 1967, or January 17, the US FDA's approval of Naltrexone as an alcoholism treatment in 1995. I personally prefer January 17, since it is sooner and it is when the US FDA legally recognized Naltrexone as a medical solution for alcoholism.

What do you think?

Bob

I love the idea Bob..But on further reflection I think it may just serve to generate new intrest in the big book..People,who had never considered it,may decide to run out and purchase one..That would only boost revenue for AA's world services Inc.and hazelden..Thus stengthening their financial position...I was thinking more along the lines of a class action law suit..Maybe get them for practicing medicine without a licence?? But who would you sue?? AA's nonstructure makes it impossible to hold anyone accountable..The whole thing is so frustrating!! I just shot my big book in the trash the other day so I would have to go buy another in order to burn it..But I might consider it just for kicks.Hahaha...Good food for thought..Thanks.....Goodman

Bob,on second thought?? OK,This is where my twisted mind goes..Your Idea got me thinking..I find it ironic that old St.Bill got his startup money for the big book from the Rockerfeller family..If I'm not mistaken the rockerfellers started their fortune selling snake oil as a cure all to sick people..So yeh,I'm on board..After all,what better use of snake oil,than fuel for fire?? You da man Bob!! goodman

I thought of that too! But that would only apply to people who were looking for something else to begin with. Kinda like how many people purchased the Quran, read it, and converted to Islam after the recent Quran burnings in New York, Tennessee, not Florida, and likely other places. Did Islam experience a uptick in conversion because of this? I don't know the answer, but the answer is probably no.

Anger against AA is out there. Just look at the anger of those who were part of it one time who have stumbled on this site. Agent Orange is trying his best to do it in his own way, but unfortunately he is diluting the message with his politics. Something needs to spark the backlash en masse to set its ultimate demise in motion.

Bob

EDIT:

We cross-posted... my friend!

Hey Bob,I dont want to get off topic but I thought this the best thread to post this..I just got done reading the most recent letters on the orange papers..I had sent him some emails before I found this board and was trying to figure out if tsm was legit..Anyhow,he posted them..And he gave it a pretty good review..Well, back on topic,I was thinking if we all started sending him emails,I think he would post them and give fair responses..He said he is concerned with hard facts and legitimate studies..His biggest concern was noncomplience..One thing I am sure of,nobody will get banned over there like they did at soberrecovery..I really am interested in spreading the word any way possible..I was also thinking,instead of burning big books,how about just going to meetings and buying one or two and writing something about tsm.com and then returning it to the table..Or donate it to a newcommer.Hahaha..My twisted mind...Goodman

Bob3d,

LOL - your post almost made me choke on my dinner I was laughing so hard. Certainly book burning or threatening to burn books seem to be the most critical news item! Probably a great amount of publicity could be raised. Not sure whether it would be all positive (ie. those threatening to burn the Koran) but certainly could raise some eyebrows and many folks I know in AA continue to struggle.

Personally I think the real culprits are the folks who are aware of TSM and choose not to recommend it for their clients, treatment centers, research institutions, etc. Most of the folks in AA are there because they aren't aware of other options and they are following doctor, treatment recommendations. To me this is the real shame. I'm glad the Newsweek article was able to get some folks attention!! I took it to my doctor. He isn't completely sold on TSM but then he is a treatment doctor but he gave me my prescription and is willing to try.

Thank you for working so hard to spread the word. I would be glad to help. BTDT

Blimey ! I look away for a moment and see all manner of mischief is being hatched in the meantime . Don't do anything rash Bob , have you run the idea by your sponsor ?

I too wondered about Goodman's arguments . But the thing that could go in its favour is
the protest shows up an alternative . ie: Either you can do this, AA or this TSM so it has an educational choice built in rather than just being "anti " .
You mentioned an FDA date which is specific to the USA but frankly I think it is in the USA that change is most needed . Beentheredoneit mentioned the people most responsible being treatment offerers and there again isn't AA intwined in treatment in US with double hatter counsellors , the minesota method, Hazleden etc ? This is not the case elsewhere , except .
some clinics in UK . In France in patient treatment is nonexistant and there are as many secular selfhelp groups , more than AA . MY city of a mullion folk has some 20 AA meetings with only a couple being heavy duty. This may even surprise you in US . AA is bigger over there. Compare this to seattle where I heard there are 1000 meetings .

I think it could be good . How friendly would the media be though ? Particular people like Newsweek and other sympathizers would have to be primed and get there too .

A couple of weeks back I mentioned a guy who burned his own copy for personal satisfaction .
I wonder if that sparked something Bob ?
I hope more people can comment on this either side .

Wow you guys,....I just had to breaK UP THE 6 Replies and 66 views ....always a numbers thing with me.....

I like the idea because its controversial but I harbor no ill will as you know towards those cats. I met some real nice folk over there as well as some clowns and being that as of now, sadly I did have 4.5 years of sobriety with them and full disclaimer,...it wasn't all hell but I was always horrified at the idea of a relapse.

I think in the end (I was thinking of burning the bible if that guy went through with it and I am a non practicing Christian) it might bring to light our method but there are probably more effective ways to get the word out. Again,...the convention. But we need more people like you cured folk. I'm thinking once we have 200-300 cured, we would have a legitimate crowd they could film and we could show us having a beer or two,...maybe a dateline or 60 minutes story. Following us through the night. Interviewing us at the end of the night CLEARLY sober.

Florida'a gonna look awful nice come January (I pray that I'm cured by then). I started that convention thread (or one of em), would like the topic to be reintroduced. Bob,...can you scout some locations?

Best, Jim,....
Update,..glimmers continue but my habit is continuing.....I'm really getting sick of booze though.....I think I may be at a turning point. As in eating 3 gallon s of ice cream sick....beer is beginning to taste boring,....wine ehhhh.....vodka continues though. I'm working tonight so I'll be on good behavior hopefully with ease.....

I think I am going to initially do this book burning on my own as a "pilot" and post the video on YouTube. I have carefully read their 25 pages of usage rules and discovered that their so-called "hate-speech" policy includes only the usual protected groups. There is no general statement saying they reserve the right to pull it at their discretion and all that. And there is nothing stated about so-called non-profit entities, other than religious groups, which are protected (but barely enforced after viewing a few anti-Semitic videos and anti-JW videos flourishing there). So I'll test the waters by videoing the book burning. I have not decided whether to narrate or caption why I am burning it, but such a video certainly needs proper context so people will understand that this is a weighty message.

I am interested in what others might want to be said during the narration or placed in a caption. I do want the page in Chapter 5 with the "Remember that we deal with alcohol, cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us" statements to have their own personal burning. Also, I want to remove and save the one page where Bill W alludes to a medical cure one day in the future, but I can't find one that at the moment. I was thinking of putting out the fire with all the beer in a beer can and then crushing the beer can at the end - the point being to show that it is not a pro-alcohol video; the dramatic crushing of the beer can being a symbolic gesture of the control over alcohol we have. These are just some thoughts. What do you think?

Bob

while not having strong feelings about this, i do love the idea of pointing out how ridiculous that one statement "alcohol, cunning baffling powerful..." is. i always thought, that is the stupidest thing i have ever read. alcohol is an inanimate object it cant' be any of those things.

best of luck with this,
path