Shame On Radar Online For Outing Jason Segel
I got sober in AA and credit it as a major tool in putting me on the path to a better life. I hit six years April 8th 2013. I had a lot of other issues but until I got the primary destructive addictions under control, it was impossible to address them. AA helped me do this.
I am also aware of the eleventh tradition about anonymity. I however, believe that no one has the right to tell me how I handle my own program. If I want to out myself for whatever reason, or no reason at all, that is my right. There are those in AA who disagree with me. They believe that we should tell no one unless asked. That’s their right. Every time I write about my sobriety, I get angry emails and comments from those who take the that position. Reasonable people can disagree. One thing I think we all agree on however, is that NO ONE (except Radar Online) has the right to take away someone’s anonymity. To out someone for financial exploitation gain to a tabloid is is especially despicable. There can also be consequences. It could affect employment offers and bonding rates to hire him for a film.
This is what was done to actor Jason Segel by RadarOnline and whoever their “source” was. If Jason want’s to out himself as someone who attends Alcoholics Anonymous, that is his right, but to out him publicly is outrageous. I can’t say that I am surprised. We live in a tabloid culture in which there are no privacy barriers. Where all potentially embarrassing information is broken down to a dollar value, even at the expense of the mental health of those who want nothing more than to free themselves from addiction. I could go into a long rant on this but I will just say, shame on Radar Online and shame on the person who either was in the meeting and outed him, or followed him for the purpose of outing him. You are lower than low.
Comments
Amen Brian. I have a few close relatives in the program and it took some of them a few swings at the ball but once the desire was real, I witnessed countless changes and miracles in their lives which had a positive ripple affect in many of our lives.
Hi Brian. You do have every right to work your own program. The 11th tradition tell us "Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed. " The reason for this is because you are a living example of the program. Which is great if you remain sober, but there's no guarrantee your will. If you slip, the alcoholic in denial will say "See, AA doesn't work". That may be all it takes for that person not to make it to their first meeting. Also, when you publicize yourself as an AA member, it sets the tone that it's ok to "out" other celebrities because anonymity doesn't apply to them. I think it's great that you're calling out Radar Online for their bad behavior, but I think it could have been just as effective if you had done it simply as a celebrity and not as an AA member using their celebrity status.
I don't give a sh*t what the 11th tradition says from the standpoint of my right to express myself about my life. I don't agree with it and I will write about about my personal experience any way and at any time I damn well please. It's People like you who who drive people way from AA. Big book thumpers who preach working your own side of the street but in reality are the biggest hypocrites in 12-step trying to tell everyone else how to handle their programs. I will continue to write about my AA experiences anytime I feel I have something to say. I guess you'll l have to deal with it.