John Beohner has an alcohol problem

[Michie]

Analysts are now predicting the global economy could take a tumble because of this political grandstanding.

So yeah, let's keep making petty insults.

Statistically it's likely that he is an alcoholic; but I bet most people in Washington drink way too much. It's a high stress job and it's also part of the general atmosphere to meet and have a drink while talking.

But I'd say that, unless there is direct evidence (say, a picture of Boehner doing lines of coke) we refrain from speculating.

Mind you, I still dislike Boehner and I think he's an idiot and one of those most responsible for this crisis, but that's not a reason to make things up.

Agree.

 

[Yoder777]

Is it just very hard for the average person to understand the nature of alcoholism?

 

[LoAmmi]

Is it just very hard for the average person to understand the nature of alcoholism?

On a personal level, I hope that if he does suffer from alcoholism he gets the treatment and support he needs. On a professional level, I don't really care so long as it isn't effecting his on-the-job performance.

 

[Michie]

Is it just very hard for the average person to understand the nature of alcoholism?

I think people understand alcoholism. There are all sorts. Even functioning alcoholics. What does the link concerning his daughter have to do with anything?

 

[Yoder777]

On a personal level, I hope that if he does suffer from alcoholism he gets the treatment and support he needs. On a professional level, I don't really care so long as it isn't effecting his on-the-job performance.

He's certainly not doing his job well, regardless of what one's political party is.

 

[LoAmmi]

He's certainly not doing his job well, regardless of what one's political party is.

(Insert joke about conservatives here).

 

[Yoder777]

I think people understand alcoholism. There are all sorts. Even functioning alcoholics. What does the link concerning his daughter have to do with anything?

Alcoholism and addiction are inter-generational. If the children don't turn out to be alcoholic or an addict, they often marry people who are, because that's what's normal to them. Beohner is a man who has spent very little time with his family, preferring to drink with the good ol' boys in Washington D.C. This is not an attack on his personal character. This is simply an observation that he needs help, both for himself and the good of our nation.

 

[Dusky Mouse]

Well, it can explain a lot.

It certainly can. His behavior on the floor suddenly becomes more clear as to the cause behind it.

But it's D.C. They rarely police their own because of how it makes the whole lot look. Especially in the case of chronic alcoholism.

If Boehner was somehow removed because he's an unfit drunk, every session he's ever presided over and all his duties as leader would be suspect and due to one formidable question; was he under the influence?
So a to charge all his behaviors and acts as speaker to be worthy of review in the event he was under the influence at the time he was executing his office.

It would be like unto a District Attorney being found to have taken a bribe to let the actual guilty party to skate on a charge, while another person was dubbed prosecutable suspect.
If that DA would corrupt his office and violate his office that one time, all other cases he's prosecuted as DA would then be subject to review.

I'd hope the GOP had been embarrassed by Boehner's behavior long before this particular discussion as to what possibly contributes to it got under way.
He was embarrassing even in interviews with Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes.
And his dilated pupils, considering how bright the camera lights would have been, indicate he isn't straight in this interview. Because under those bright lights, which I've experienced in my day, the pupils contract.
John Boehner Crying on 60 Minutes - YouTube

 

[Michie]

Besides his job performance I really don't see how this is any of our business.

I'm sure the hill is full of what could be diagnosed as alcoholism. And more.

 

[Wolseley]

What? No one want to accuse Obama for his drug problem? At least he admitted to one in his book--both marijuana and codeine that was supposedly so bad that it made his grades go south (at least according to Obama's book). Did he stop? (Well let's leave that out and instead note that he was buying drugs and "partying" as a Senator according to witnesses--which have since disappeared because of various reasons.)

Maybe he was like that other paragon of progressive virtue, Bill Clinton, and he didn't inhale.

 

[LoAmmi]

Maybe he was like that other paragon of progressive virtue, Bill Clinton, and he didn't inhale.

Eh, I always hate it when either side gets labels about drug use or anything like that.

I'd gladly compare my past to anybody's in terms of drug and alcohol use. Outside of things that can be purchased over the counter and that which my doctor has prescribed, I have never taken any other drugs and I don't smoke. I have never been drunk in my life and usually only have any alcohol during religious rituals. I'm also a liberal.

 

[Michie]

Eh, I always hate it when either side gets labels about drug use or anything like that.

I'd gladly compare my past to anybody's in terms of drug and alcohol use. Outside of things that can be purchased over the counter and that which my doctor has prescribed, I have never taken any other drugs and I don't smoke. I have never been drunk in my life and usually only have any alcohol during religious rituals. I'm also a liberal.

You couldn't possibly be a liberal with your track record.

 

[LoAmmi]

You couldn't possibly be a liberal with your track record.

I know, right?

 

[Michie]

I know, right?

You are just all mixed up. Poor guy.

I'm not either. But I make you look like an angel compared to what I have done in my past.

 

[MikeK]

But I make you look like an angel compared to what I have done in my past.

Can't be half as bad as Obama. He tried drugs. Drugs! Can you believe it? Didn't even have the decency to lie about it or dodge the question like his predecessor.

 

[LoAmmi]

You are just all mixed up. Poor guy.

I'm not either. But I make you look like an angel compared to what I have done in my past.

The trick for me is that I hate the taste of alcohol, so I avoid it whenever I can and my uncle was a drug addict and I watched what it did to him so drugs don't appeal to me. My vice isn't either of those things, so it isn't a virtue that I avoid them anymore than it would be a virtue that I avoid hitting myself with a hammer.

The question we need to ask ourselves is not what we've done in the past, but what we are doing now and what we will do in the future. The past is the past; learn from it, make right the wrongs you did toward others, and move on.

 

[Wolseley]

Eh, I always hate it when either side gets labels about drug use or anything like that.

I'd gladly compare my past to anybody's in terms of drug and alcohol use. Outside of things that can be purchased over the counter and that which my doctor has prescribed, I have never taken any other drugs and I don't smoke. I have never been drunk in my life and usually only have any alcohol during religious rituals. I'm also a liberal.

We're pretty much alike in that regard. I have never used any illicit drug; never even smoked marijuana. I don't smoke and never have, and while I enjoy the very occasional glass of wine or a beer on a hot day, I have never been drunk in my life. And I'm a conservative.

 

[LoAmmi]

We're pretty much alike in that regard. I have never used any illicit drug; never even smoked marijuana. I don't smoke and never have, and while I enjoy the very occasional glass of wine or a beer on a hot day, I have never been drunk in my life. And I'm a conservative.

I was pretty ill once and the pills they gave me... well I think they made me taste blue.

 

[Michie]

The trick for me is that I hate the taste of alcohol, so I avoid it whenever I can and my uncle was a drug addict and I watched what it did to him so drugs don't appeal to me. My vice isn't either of those things, so it isn't a virtue that I avoid them anymore than it would be a virtue that I avoid hitting myself with a hammer.

The question we need to ask ourselves is not what we've done in the past, but what we are doing now and what we will do in the future. The past is the past; learn from it, make right the wrongs you did toward others, and move on.

You win! I always knew you were an awesome human being.

As far as alcohol... well I try to drink the stuff that does not taste like it. But I'm not a heavy drinker.

My dad was killed by a drunk driver...I even tracked him down a few years ago. Disappointing experience but hey..I had to let it go.

 

[Michie]

We're pretty much alike in that regard. I have never used any illicit drug; never even smoked marijuana. I don't smoke and never have, and while I enjoy the very occasional glass of wine or a beer on a hot day, I have never been drunk in my life. And I'm a conservative.

Now wait... I'm getting all confused now... does this mean we should judge people by the content of their character now & not their political party or past mistakes?