Posted by
Mike on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 11:47:42 AM
http://www.westernperspective.blogspot.com/
Back at the old Valley Club in Northridge, on the outskirts of LA County, where profanity, fights and shouting matches not uncommonly broke out even though against the rules, one of the most respected characters used to identify himself at AA meetings with, "I'm Captain Serenity and I am an alcoholic", to which the group response would be a resounding "Hi Tom". You see, at the Valley Club, no one was ever allowed to speak at meetings without first identifying, and Tom had a very big ego. He was the adoptive son of an Army general who had cut him off financially at a young age. Very likable and intelligent, he came off somewhat like General Ike with a Fifties-style, New York Sinatra-esque dry accent and laugh, engaging in long tirades which were then called "drunkalouges". Tom went on to sponsor, among others, one of the local pastors from Ireland, Father Sean.
This reminded me somewhat of the Republican presidential primary, including the debates, with Newt Gingrich as Captain Serenity, being also the adoptive son of an army officer. Miracles do still happen.