Had Mike simply backed off all his self-imposed "duties" for a couple of record and touring cycles, and just been a drummer, he probably would have given himself time to do some of those other projects and not leave DT. But instead, his ego got the best of him, and boom, he's out of the band. Mistakes happen. He knows it. The band knows it.
Portnoy isn't a bad guy. Neither are the DT guys. Shit happens, you move on. Portnoy hasn't been able to move on as well as the other guys have. And that was expected (at least by me). But if Shattered Fortress and his new band ends up letting Mike rebuild his prog metal career and provide stability, and compete (the new band) at times with DT, I think Mike will be better for it.
I've just now read this and your other post (the one it's linked in your sig) and, like also some others have stated, I too agree with all you're saying -in general-, but I don't however agree -with the particular statement- that this was a mistake.. I mean, that's relative for starters.. From DT's point of view doesn't look like they feel it was a mistake, at least not now that they've done all that they've done in these past almost seven years now (wow, time goes by!).. From the fans' point of view, sure lot of them think it was a shitty thing to happen, but there are plenty that think it was actually good and better for all of them, and a good amount that just don't care to name it, and think that if happened, happened for a reason, and it's fine; this happens to be my posture.. Finally, from MP's point of view, yes, it looks like he feels it was a mistake, but even in his case we can't know for sure what his thoughts really are, and, more important, what would've happened if he would've stayed in DT... Because, why taking for granted that he/the rest of the guys/we the fans would be happier?.. I think we shouldn't speculate about what would've happened (at least if we're trying to approximate to a logical conclusion about this whole issue), but only talk about what actually happened, and that is, MP's not in DT, so we can't compare the two situations, simply because one of them is non-existing..
I was thinking like ANtR and like ITPOE
I think one issue is the length. He has limited time, and would have to cut out almost the rest of the non 12SS in order to play those two songs.
And another other issue is that MP said they won't play songs he didn't write the lyrics for, so that'd rule out those two... but yeah, if they would, those would be great.. However, if we're talking about epics, I'd rather see them play In the Name of God or Octavarium..