A final throw of the lifeline ...

When someone you still/once respected is in a spiral of self-destruction either personally, physically, or mentally - if you care about them you speak to them directly. You don't pander to their self-destructive habits, you don't look the other way, you don't say things that avoid the problem.

No, you treat them like an adult and speak clearly. That is what many, including 'ole Sal, has tried to do with Michael Yon. After an exchange of emails with him over the last few weeks - I washed my hands of the whole thing. He is an adult. It is his choice.

When a person's self-destructive behavior becomes a danger not to just himself, but to others though - there reaches a point where you have to turn away, pivot, and engage.

Over at MudvilleGazette, Greyhawk nails it. I can't say it better.

Again, I'm convinced that whether through misguided rage, confusion, or lack of knowledge and experience you've allowed yourself to be used by people with an agenda that you believe matches yours. I'm not so sure it does, and I'm certain you yourself have no idea when you're being so used. And as so many of your readers reveal in their comments, your posting of material like this lends it false credibility. Your remaining readers trust you, and I've warned you before that you run great risks when you run roughshod over that trust. They deserve better.

More importantly, the men and women in harm's way deserve better. They deserve light, and they're getting heat. You're vulnerable and you're being used. It's time to man up, admit your failure, and stop.

Read it all.