Dear Gerard, Mikey, Frank, Ray, and Mike (MP)

This is not a letter to castigate anyone's behavior. This is not meant to be a screaming hairy catfit of an asschewing. This is meant to be a calm commentary with my opinion thrown in there. I would appreciate it if you guys would at least read this.

There's a lot of controversy going around regarding Gerard's comment in the upcoming SPIN article. To quote:

"[Sobriety] became such a thing," he says. "It was so goddamn important to everyone but me. You start to feel like the two guys in the Smiths who wanted to eat cheeseburgers but had to pretend not to. I understand that kids look up to me, that some people might have gotten sober because of me. But it's not an important thing for me anymore."

You're no one's savior, you mean.

"Hell no." He pauses. "But that was a fun image to play with. Because even if you miss the mark, you're probably gonna be a pretty remarkable person. Shoot for savior, and end up being rad."

I don't think anyone would've had a problem with you, Gerard, saying, "Hey, I've found out I can take a drink or two and not be totally affected, I'm gonna try it again." Or even, "Well, in the past, I had no control, now I do, I think I can handle it." Or better yet, you could've not said anything at all. But the words you used, the attitude you conveyed, came across like you've been playing the fans, mocking people who either have drinking problems or who know someone who does, and essentially telling us all that our concern for your previous struggle--possible struggle?--with substance abuse was, well, a joke to you.

G, have you realized how many fans you've lost with that statement? How many people you've pissed off? Disappointed? Angered?

Do you even give a shit?

Lisa's grandfather was an alcoholic, until his wife got him to stop drinking. He would blow his paycheck on liquor before he even got home. Another friend's grandfather died from complications of alcoholism. My father couldn't handle alcohol, so my mom wouldn't keep it in the house.

From what a lot of us have seen, you can't handle your alcohol, either.

Do you remember PR? I do. I saw you throwing up on the back of the stage during at least 2 out of 4 shows. I saw you grab Frank, shake him, and throw him to the ground. Do you remember that incident? I saw your eyes. There was nobody home.

My friends and I care about your well-being, Gerard. Please watch yourself and take care of yourself. Lots of people want you to succeed, to thrive, to live your life completely. Please don't bring your troubles on yourself. Life is too fucking short to mess with; I've learned this the hard way.

Sobriety isn't something you do for other people; it's something you do for yourself.

Take care.
xo jen