PO Box 1980

Re: "Meetings, Meetings, Meetings?" (August and December 1998), I'm glad the Grapevine is continuing its honorable tradition of giving those who don't see eye to eye with us a tolerant, respectful hearing--after all, what have we to fear? I refer to the article "I Don't Go to Meetings Any More" (July 1960, reprinted in Best of Grapevine 2) and Bill W.'s contribution, "Comments on Wylie Ideas" (September 1944, reprinted in The Language of the Heart). Of Philip Wylie, who told early Grapevine readers he had "quit solo," co-founder Bill W. wrote: "It is a tradition among us that the individual has the unlimited right to his own opinion on any subject under the sun. He is compelled to agree with no one; if he likes, he can disagree with everyone . . . Therefore, no AA should be disturbed if he cannot fully agree with all of Mr. Wylie's truly stimulating discourse. Rather shall we reflect that the roads to recovery are many. . . ."