Points of View

Dear Grapevine: The article about closed meetings in last month's issue kind of put me on the spot. . .it so happens that I'm the A.A. who brashly suggested that it wouldn't be a bad idea for an additional closed meeting to be held here in Manhattan for older members. . . . I'm not suggesting that it doesn't help us to do 12th-step work in these meetings with newcomers. It certainly does! But week after week of closed meetings where we devote the entire time to discussing the problems of first-timers, or second-timers, or third-timers doesn't give older members (say, for the sake of argument, members who have been dry one or two months, or more) much chance to discuss their own problems; and believe me, older members' problems can be mighty important, too! For that reason. . .let us at least have one closed meeting a week where members who have attained a reasonable record of sobriety can discuss their own problems, and obtain group help. Another cup of coffee, waiter!