1.13.12 Adam News and Info

login to join the "OOFTA" and the 'pea-throwing' - can we change to rubber balls? frozen pea can be very painful.

Oh the photographer must be Lee.

This!! I don't think ANYONE is judging James FOR his issues. They are scrutinizing him IN SPITE of them. I think what most of us are saying is it is not a free pass to not learn from mistakes, to be boorish and egotistical and to be an inferior singer when he has been giving an incredible opportunity.

This conversation brought up a parallel with me. I had a brother who died in 2002. He was severe ADHD and diagnosed at the age of 4. Though not as much was understood about ADD/ADHD in the early '70s, there was still quite a bit. I wrote a documentary about the Ritalin debates in college and M was a classic adult ADHD. One primary factor that tends to be carried through adulthood is that they have problems with cause-and-effect rationale. Meaning, they don't apply past mistakes to current behavior and end up making the same mistakes over and over.

They can be highly intelligent but lack common sense.

This was M. He could be very sweet when he wanted to be. He was incredibly smart and hardworking, when able to focus. However, he would let his mouth get the better of him and almost inevitably tell off his boss and end up fired, despite knowing his job inside-out and working harder than anyone else. (This happened repeatedly throughout his 20s and he died at 32.) Even if his boss knew of his issues, when an employee tells you FU to your face, you're going to fire them. This is the real world. This is what others with similar issues have to deal with.

James is not exempt is all we're saying and all the compassion I might or might not express will not prevent some audience member at an NFL game from booing the performer who they perceive as not good (they don't know the whys or wherefores). He was coddled on AI and this is where it has ended up. With a little compassionate critique (if he was willing to listen and adjust), he could be killing it right now because he is a very enthusiastic performer and is getting great opportunities, but instead of benefiting him, they are hurting him.

Thanks everyone for all your opinions and thoughts. I will not be responding to any Durbin comments from here on out. My apologies for keeping it going this long! If anyone else feels very strongly and wants to PM me feel free.