A couple of points about this thread/discussion:
#1: There are certainly valid points of discussion to be made about Prater's involvement in Dream Theater's career. You can love some of the things he did, hate some, feel like it is a mixed bag, or something else. These are all fine points for discussion. But the poll having choices of "like david prater," "don't like david prater," etc. make it personal, and there's really no room for that here. Discuss what he did and leave it at that.
Point #2:
Unfortunately, Prater's responses to Rich Wilson's questions are 100% accurate factually, however, MP's rebuttals are in almost all cases completely without merit. At times even wildly so. It seems each and every time MP is queried he spews so much venom and vitriol a mature reader has to question his objectivity. Why he is so bitter has us all completely flummoxed.
Remember this, I was an eyewitness. I swear Prater's the one in the right. For the last 17 years MP has abused his bully pulpit and has never been taken to task by an objective 3rd party. What is even more pathetic is that his vast legion of MP wannabes anxiously line up to gorge themselves on every delicious morsel drooling out of his mouth. The problem is, 99% of the time he isn't anywhere near telling the truth.
Here's the thing, havona. This is, first and foremost, a forum for Dream Theater fans. Because more fans than not (1) appreciate Mike Portnoy and, as fans, do eagerly take in a lot of what he says, and (2) do NOT like some of the choices Mr. Prater made on the Images & Words album, there is naturally going to be some negativity expressed on boards like this one. If Mr. Prater can't be bothered to speak up on the subject, I don't see the need for others to come rushing to his defense. It is great to have commentary from someone who was actually there, if indeed you were (forgive me for being skeptical, but this
is the Internet, and anyone can
say they are anybody). If you have some direct knowledge of some of what went on, great. Join the discussion and add some great perpective from the other side. But I warn you: tread carefully. Do NOT come onto these boards and call Mike Portnoy a liar or call his integrity into question. Doing that is a violation of the rules. Are the rules biased and overprotective of the members of Dream Theater, while perhaps not oferring the same level of protection for criticism of others? Yeah, they are. Again, it is a
Dream Theater forum. If Mr. Prater has his own forum out there, he is welcome to have a "no Prater-bashing" rule if he chooses. Keep your statements factual. Give us whatever facts you have as you see them and leave the personal attacks at the door so we can draw out own conclusions. For one thing, it makes your arguments weak if you are short on facts and long on personal attacks. For another, personal attacks and flaming of the band members is against the forum rules and will get you banned from this place. And unlike Super Dude, I
am the DTF "board of directors," or however you put it. So I hope you heed this warning. Again, if you have an opposing perspective to offer, that is great and is in fact welcome. But the next personal attack against a bandmember is not welcome and earns you a one-way trip to the exit door.