One of these things is not like the other

I've seen all sorts of change in the form of
new laws, new resolutions, new cities, and
new leases on life. Everything old eventually
comes back around to present itself anew.

And I know from personal experience and
witnessing the hard work of others that change
from active addiction to sobriety that such a
monumental change is possible. Even many times
over, if need be.

But while patterns can be broken, some things
in this world never change.

The basic nature of humanity isn't reformed, not
even by supernatural or magical means.

Liars, con-artists, and fundamentally fictitious
creations do not alter how they see and interact
with the world. Using and manipulating people
and twisting facts is not a sickness most can give
up once it has become their life.

The pretense of changing, certainly. Actual
personality change? Not so much. Turns out that's
harder than the pills and hooch to beat.

Fabrication cannot stand in for transformation.

********************************

Under the shell...

...is a bitter pill.

A.A. members like to say, wistfully,
that there are 'beautiful mysteries'
inherent in their program.

They say that the Big Book and the
program are full of 'paradoxes,'
which is really just another way of
saying 'conundrums' or 'contradictions.'

Since that's more honest, let's go with that;
Contradictions and conundrums.
(It is, after all, supposed to be an honest
program....just run by liars and thieves; I
don't know how that's supposed to work!)

A lie is a lie, no matter how you dress it up.

A.A. peddles inconsistencies, bullshit, and
false hope. That's all.

No matter how they dress it up, a con is still
a con. And the worst of the worst can't even
run their own lives...that's why they're looking
to run yours.

Fore-warned is fore-armed.

**********************************

Truth in Advertising

Psychopathy and sociopathy can't be healed or cured...
but they can be utilized to the maximum in an environment
designed to create supplicancy and victimization.

Autonomy, anonymity, seclusion, inclusiveness, and
self-importance. A giant mistake for those considered
'the worst of the worst.' Who of these could deny the siren
call of potential wrong doing?

Convincing others to trust and demure themselves to
the least likely candidates imaginable is a recipe for
disaster. 12 Steps provides the perfect parameters for
providing prey to the predators predominant in the program.

Like leading lambs to the slaughter.

12 Step Programs are not governed or monitored in
any fashion; they promise the moon and are bound in no
way by any agency. "If it sounds too good to be true...."
Zero regulation, zero professionalism, zero science.
And despite millions of talking heads promoting the
wonders of the program, nearly zero results.

Your fate and welfare are in the hands of avowed psychos,
criminals, and manipulators....egomaniacs whose only
motivation is self-interest and meddling. Convincing you
of the sales pitch so that you will submit yourself.

A smile and a promise amount to a hill of beans
when gambling with people's lives.

Your care is explicitly not promised, promoted, or in
any way guaranteed. Proceed with extreme caution.

A con artist's most sincere sales pitch will always be that
you can trust them implicitly!

*************************************************

Easier Said Than Done

Unfortunately, demanding authenticity

won't make it happen.

We seem to be living in a world

that is more and more duplicitous

and false as the days go by.

Dealing with entire groups of addicts

is a pretty sure way of coming into contact

with some of the most unscrupulous

and unsavory characters around.

The majority of people in 12 Steps may be dry,

but the rest of their routine is pure show.

Just because someone says they are

a good person, presents themselves as rehabilitated,

promotes themselves as compassionate,

has the pretense of selflessness, and

postures as a spiritual person, that

does not make it so.

When dealing with sociopaths, narcissists,

pathological liars, con men, and zealots,

that's especially true.

No matter how sincere they seem,

no matter how charming and convincing

they are, and no matter how hard they work it,

a lie is still a lie.

No matter how beautifully it's crafted.

Fakes get away with hurting folks

precisely because they are so good at

what they do.

But a flawed copy can never replace an original,

and a hustle can never stand in for the real thing.

Don't believe the hype;

of course a con man is going to tell you

he's honest and sincere.

I've never met one yet that announced they were

getting ready to fleece you.

***