Look, it's all a matter of taste and perspective. The idea that all bands are best friends and a "gang of four/five/whatever", went out for me around the time of "Dynasty" by Kiss. Our friend here related a story - that I've heard variations on as well - that Aerosmith hate each other and don't even go in the same room unless on stage. There are far more bands like that, than Dream Theater that always seemed to be a group friends, first and foremost. I can't really blame Mike - given that he's largely made a career out of playing with his "bros" (I mean that in a good way) - for wanting that, and/or lamenting it's loss. There are people that operate comfortably in conflict zones - as Cram said, "let him be" - and those that prefer not to. No harm, no foul, Mike strikes me as a guy that prefers not to.