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I just got back from a wonderful holiday with my kids to Southern California, Disneyland, etc... One of our many highlights was to take in an LA Angels v. Oakland A's baseball game, and we did so on April 8th. The starting pitcher for the A's that night was a young 23-year old - Nick Adenhart - who pitched fairly well, but got a no-decision. We were all pretty shocked to hear on the news the next morning, that he had been killed in a traffic accident - apparently a drunk driver had run a red light, and smashed into this young man's vehicle. The drunk driver has been arrested, and apparently a repeat offender, at the tender age of 22...
The second story, also involving the Angels, happened on opening night (April 6th), just two nights before - where a fan was killed after a beer related fist fight, when he was punched and his head hit a cement post or something.....
The third story, from a couple of weeks ago, is where Dante Stallworth - the Cleveland Browns all-pro, killed a pedestrian at 8:30am, and blew 0.12, and has been charged with vehicular homicide. The disgusting irony of this one, is that the defense is suggesting that the man he hit, who was jaywalking, shouldn't have been where he was, and that this means, in fact, that the FACT that their client was drunk was irrelevant, and thus should not be charged with that offense...
Blech.... alcohol continues to rear it's ugly head, even with celebrities.... it knows no bounds, no status symbols, no nothing.....
T
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"He is either gonna drink, or he won't.... what are YOU gonna do?"
"What you think of me is none of my business"
"If you knew the answer to what you are worrying about, would it REALLY change anything?"
wow T, go figure. We all have pressure and struggle with difficulties regardless of our station in life. Its what a person does to cope or deal with that pressure that matters! And what our backgrounds and genetics and biologies are- our tendencies. But it comes down to our individual ability to CHOOSE. Thanks for the reminder and I am glad you had a great trip- sounds peachy! hugs, J.
I too have been sickened by these stories. Let us not forget that besides the pitcher for the A who lost his life, this driver also killed 2 others and seriously wounded another. Such a senseless tragedy for all involved. I am particularly bothered by Stallworth. Here's a talented athlete with tons of money and because he choose to drive (did anyone try and take the keys away?) rather than hiring a driver or body guard kills an innocent human being. It's not as if this guy couldn't afford to pay for a cab. The poor families.
Prom season is coming up and I always hold my breath. My niece confessed that once in a while she drinks. She knows that I don't condone underage drinking. But at 17, the reality is different. At least she's been smart enough and comfortable enough to call her Mom and ask her to come get her. She won't even drive if she's had 1 beer, lone enough a couple more. She's seen the affects on her uncle as well as her Dad. She's also seen it with her boyfriend's cousin. I can only hope and pray that continues. Love and blessings to you and your family.
Live strong, Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
I heard about the young pitcher a few days ago, I'm not a fan but started crying for the loss ~ so young, so sad. As far as Stallworth goes, it def seems like players & celebrities have a different code to live up to, as they keep getting away with this sort of thing ~ more human tradegies/injustices abound.
Karilynn, I agree no driver, no body guard? ugh I always think, 'those ppl will suffer terribly from guilt for the rest of their lives' b/c I think I would. I wonder if they do.
I'm glad you still had a nice holiday w/ the family.
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Light, Love, Peace, Blessings & Healing to Us All. God's Will Be Done. Amen.
One of my greatest fears is that my ADaughter will get behind the wheel and take an innocent life and her own. I know for sure she has been driving while under the influence many times. Once she rolled her VW Bug. It rolled 3 times and she walked away with bumps and bruises. She was on a country road and thank God, on other vehicles were involved.
I am convinced that every other car has a drunk driver, especially late at night or especially on the week end. That is why I usually do not venture out late at night.
I had read articles about the events you talked about. So very sad.
All that aside, I am glad you had a good visit with your family
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Clara
------------------------------------ What don't kill you, makes you stronger!!!
how heartbreaking for those families that lost loved ones and heartbreaking for the ones that must live with the fact that they allowed a disease to take them to a point where someone's life didn't matter to them.
alcoholism/addictions sucks!
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No matter what me and my God are going to be ok, even better than OK -
Aloha CG...Yeah the reality of this disease is as RLC reminds; cunning, powerful, and baffling. Add a lawyer (compassion optional and often not present) and the pain increases when the survivors get to partake in the blame and loss. The Center for Disease Control just did another disclosure from their current study on alcoholism and of all things it is really a progressive disease!!
I emailed them last evening to see if they will review and somehow support a legislative proposal I have been trying to get a serious look at with a chance of part or all acceptance and/or support. I am not surprised at the feedback I have received from the public and public service sector over the past 25 years on this. Don't mess with our booze and the body count isn't high enough or the cost to enact doesn't seem to be justified to we can't do this locally we need to do it on a national level to all the other cunning, powerful and baffling rhetoric. I've been called a "prohibitionist" even in the face of the proposal not prohibiting the manufacture, distribution and sale of alcohol. Incredibly or may be not the term came from a past member in recovery who heads the Alcohol Control Dept.
I just wonder what CDC is going to respond with. With one perspective I will laugh my butt off yet with another I will hold my breath as the disease takes another bite out of life. Serenity Prayer over and over. I remind myself what one of my sponsors taught me about the proper working of the Serenity Prayer. It was on my confusion about acceptance of what I could not change and the courage to change the things I can. He told me that the middle ground was in making the attempt before gaining the wisdom. I miss that wise man.
The driver of the car that killed all three had a last name of Gallo. Ironic what picture comes to my mind with that name. I don't insinuate a relation to the business.
The poor families. 
She won't even drive if she's had 1 beer, lone enough a couple more. She's seen the affects on her uncle as well as her Dad. She's also seen it with her boyfriend's cousin. I can only hope and pray that continues. Love and blessings to you and your family. 
