It really is about them and not you. As a now recovering alcoholic, in my active addiction (moreso when I was younger, not as much later, I got sober at 41) I routinely wanted other people around me to drink precisely because that small inner voice was uncomfortable with my own relationship with alcohol and if others…

I don’t know why Sherrod Brown isn’t on this list. [blah blah blah] republican governor.

I know she has the Latino vote and she did from the beginning. Now, could she pick Castro because she also has to think about what will happen in 8 years? Who better than Castro to replace her in 8 years?

Agreed. As fucking awesome as that would be, I’d rather have her stay in the Senate. She’ll be able to do much more there.

The president and the VP have to get along. I don't think Warren and Clinton get along.

I’m not a huge fan of the Warren idea. I think she’ll do more good in the senate.

Also, Corey Booker. It would be a LOT easier for me to cast a ballot for her if he was on the ticket. I know the beltway wisdom is that Clinton has the Black vote locked up but not this Black vote (this Black vote is super offended by her pandering). Booker really is the real deal, in my opinion when it comes to on…

I tend to agree with Barney Frank (I think he said it?). Any senator/congressperson with a Republican governor needs to stay put for now. The seats are too important.

Bernie has no business on that list anyway nor should people continue to act like it is a reasonable possibility. We stopped giving he VP slot as a runner-up a long term ago.

I know what you mean. My father was an alcoholic also, and I rarely drink (like, 2-3 times per year). Mostly I can take it or leave it, and I just prefer to be clear headed most of the time. The same thing DOES happen to me - people assume that I must be super uptight, or that I’m *~missing out~* on something, and it…

You are an outstanding writer.

I’m nearly 2 years sober, and this still hit me hard. No matter how far along you are in your journey, sometimes you just need a reminder that you aren’t alone.

Another excellent piece, Sarah. Bravo.

You may have to focus on friends whose default social activity is NOT “sitting around at bars.” Or find new friends who like doing things that are NOT sitting around at bars. Because sitting around at bars is super boring if you are not drinking.

i feel like this applies

Twitter keeps me sober

I totally agree. Just because there is a valid reason for something doesn’t mean you are excusing the behavior. I feel bad for him because he probably was so warped and beaten (and probably sexually abused) himself that this is the result. Still makes him guilty as all hell. But it’s sad that it’s probably a…

I don’t drink (don’t like the buzz, tears me up inside too) but just about everyone else I know does, some of them heavily. It can be difficult, plus you’re always the default designated driver which can get really annoying too. Sometimes I’ll just grin and bear it, sometimes I simply politely decine to participate in…

This is really great. Happy for both the letter-writer and for Sarah H.

Lots of stuff meaning most stuff. With all of our insight and evolving, human beings are still flawed animals.