How can you say that? We don't know what started this whole mess.
Again, a hypothetical theoretical situation, just to play devil's advocate and make you see my point, rather than claim this is what happened...but:

What if Jon turned around and said "Richie you're being paid half the last tour. And you're not singing any songs. And Bobby's playing more solos."
If that was true (it's not, I'm sure) then who is more unprofessional? Should Richie stick it out "for the fans"?

Yeah but don't think that's the reason Richie's out.. But like you said.. Nobody knows... What about if Richie got drunk or lost his flight or was anxious the day of Calgary show and he didn't show out and the guys got angry with him and told him you can come back only when you're 100% fine?

If that's what happened, then I'll agree with you - totally unprofessional. Absolutely.

Love this. I respect Jon, Dave, Tico for carrying on but I also respect Richie for his decision to stop (whether or not we thing he is right or wrong). Actually there is probably right and wrong on both sides which creates the possibility of the issue getting sorted out. Geez how many songs talk about believing in something, taking a stand, etc. Richie is taking a huge hit on this so obviously he thought it was important. In the meantime the band is continuing to give great concerts (some even say better concerts than usual).

P.S. If something is missing from a Happy Meal, you are usually given something else to compensate. So with that analogy, you are getting PhilX

Where did I say he couldn't have his own opinion?

If anything, I share most of his views on this whole Richie situation.

I'm just saying that sometimes it's hard to get what he wants to say.

I know this was just your example but this actually is more realistic than a lot of stuff I've read. Missed the flight with the band and then didn't come on the flight he was supposed to be on alone. And maybe in Richie's mind he's ok and ready to return to the tour, but in Jon's mind he's not 100% and he won't take that risk. It actually would make more sense than some of the odder things we've read. I remember one of the first things that came out was that Jon didn't seem that surprised when told he would not be there to perform and one of Jon's first interviews saying "we've been through this before." Which could or could not have been taken as a alcohol reference. But again, as usual, it's all speculation, I'm at work, boss is gone and I'm bored. :D

All hypothetical: Whether it was money or creative issues as some have suggested, if Richie had doubts about doing the tour, he shouldn't have done it. I think a lot of people (especially on here) would have praised him for that, especially if it was creative. At that point, every member of the audience would be able to choose if they wanted to see a show with or without Richie. However, once tickets went on sale and were purchased with the inherint promise that the whole band were going to be there, there becomes (other than health or familt) no acceptable reason to bail in the middle of the tour. At that point, he should have stuck it out for the rest of the dates and left the band at the conclusion of the tour. It was completely unprofessional to leave in the middle of a commitment. (Again, going on the still hypothetical assumption that he left on his own accord for non-family/health reasons)

Yeah my thoughts exactly.. Maybe Richie thinks he's okay to be on tour again but Jon knows he's not well 100% that phone call where Jon didn't surprise at all about Richie doesn't show out tells a lot to me

It's not necessarily better, but it would have made things a lot easier for some fans, that's all. It may be selfish, but considering how much money we all spend to see them, I think we have a right to be a little selfish.

I'm not taking sides, because three months and 700 pages later we still know nothing. I don't think anyone's innocent in this whole mess, but if Jon is such a damn tyrant, why would Dave and Tico put up with that? Richie has already disappointed some of his fans by cancelling the US dates (yeah, yeah, I know, laryngitis)... And now this interview where, to me, he came across like he doesn't really care and he's having a blast in LA. I may be way off, of course.

Being at San Siro, looking at the wonderful thing the fans did for the band, I thought of Richie and couldn't help but wonder why the hell he's not there to enjoy that epic moment with all of us.

I am just tired of all the secrecy and "we love our fans" "I miss my fans". At first I thought this was a health or family issue, and completely understood that they wanted to keep it private, now that it seems like something else entirely, I think it's time to spill the beans. The fans have being arguing for three months now, at this point it would be nice to know what the issue is...

So rumor has it that Richie's going with Ava (and Nikki?) To Paris, then to Rome...

are we going on roman holiday with them?!

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4526/bdln.jpg

yes, I did this artwork myself. I love Richie, but I've enoughh of this stupid situation no one seem to care to resolve...