For what it's worth, I've never considered you a "woolly-headed liberal imbecile" or a "useful idiot". I don't know you at all. From spending time here on the board and talking to you in Boston this is what I do know;

• You're a very talented and respected musician
• A loving and devoted father
• A highly intelligent man
• A stubborn man
• A man with a sense of humor
• A man completely fucked over by corrupt individuals
• A man uncomfortable with success
• A man of many unfullfilled promises
• A man who has disappointed many
• A man plagued with self doubt
• A man who should probably eat more
• A man who should definitely smoke less
• A man with very strong convictions
• A man who believes that those who disagree with you politically are conservatives
• A man who believes all conservatives look alike, sound alike, and think alike
• A man who believes all conservatives should be despised

It's strange. After someone loses a loved one, you're whole prespective on things change. Some things now mean more; family, friends etc. Some things become insignificant; politics. You tend to look for the good in people. You begin to give them the benefit of the doubt. You walk away from fights you can't win and you walk away from those who, for whatever reason, pick these fights.

It's sad that this epiphany comes at such a cost.