Political prisoner, activist, journalist, hymn-writer, emerging thinktanker, aspiring novelist, "tribal elder", 2019 parliamentary candidate for North West Durham, Shadow Leader of the Opposition, "Speedboat", "The Cockroach", eagerly awaiting the second (or possibly third) attempt to murder me.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
I’ll Drink To That
If alcoholics really are to have their benefits cut, then where will that leave the newly unemployed Damian McBride? He didn’t get to look like that at 35 by overdoing it on the lemon barley water.
As a lifelong tea-totaller (and member for over 37 years of a Total Abstinence Society) I refuse to acknowledge that alcoholism is a disease or illness. While smoking is clearly like hang gliding a prelude to illness....I cannot understand the tolerance shown to alcohol consumption, leading as it often does to crime and violence. I advocate no treatment on NHS for alcoholics .....nor should they receive any kind of benefits.
Seriously, though, while I know that there is a strong tradition of total abstinece among Irish Catholics, well, it's a distinct minority view, isn't it? And opinions quite as hardline as yours must make you controversial?
so......no apology then? Ah well. I suspect its the least controversial of the controversial views I have. There is a strong tradition of total abstinence among Irish Catholics and of course other Christian and other faith groups. Minority? certainly. "Distinct" or "small" minority? No
It must be said that Irish Catholic teetotalism doesn't seem to travel much. There is quite a bit of it in Ireland, but hardly any in Irish-descended communities elsewhere.
You are of course quite right: addiction is a myth. If people drink too much, or eat too much, or take drugs, or whatever, then that is because they want to do it more than they want to stop.
But the medical conditions that result are nevertheless medical conditions, to be treated as such.
As a lifelong tea-totaller (and member for over 37 years of a Total Abstinence Society) I refuse to acknowledge that alcoholism is a disease or illness.
ReplyDeleteWhile smoking is clearly like hang gliding a prelude to illness....I cannot understand the tolerance shown to alcohol consumption, leading as it often does to crime and violence.
I advocate no treatment on NHS for alcoholics .....nor should they receive any kind of benefits.
You must have fun as an Irish Catholic...
ReplyDeleteA stereotypical and racist remark which does not reflect well on you.
ReplyDeleteOf course Bernard Manning was an English Catholic....so I guess its to be expected.
I knew you would...
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, while I know that there is a strong tradition of total abstinece among Irish Catholics, well, it's a distinct minority view, isn't it? And opinions quite as hardline as yours must make you controversial?
so......no apology then?
ReplyDeleteAh well.
I suspect its the least controversial of the controversial views I have.
There is a strong tradition of total abstinence among Irish Catholics and of course other Christian and other faith groups.
Minority? certainly.
"Distinct" or "small" minority? No
Yes, I apologise.
ReplyDeleteIt must be said that Irish Catholic teetotalism doesn't seem to travel much. There is quite a bit of it in Ireland, but hardly any in Irish-descended communities elsewhere.
You are of course quite right: addiction is a myth. If people drink too much, or eat too much, or take drugs, or whatever, then that is because they want to do it more than they want to stop.
But the medical conditions that result are nevertheless medical conditions, to be treated as such.
Oh I think Irish Catholic abstentionism travels at least as well as English heterosexuality :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I apologise. LOL