No harm is meant by this thread. It has taken a life of its own.

I think another statement, one that is *official* by Jon or Richie or the management reiterating "As previously noted, Richie's absence is a personal matter and we ask that you respect his privacy. He is missed, he will be back and in the meantime, the shows must go on and we are giving them all we got. Thank you for understanding." How hard would a release like this be to put out?

In the meantime, the cynical part of me is noting that this thread is giving them more media coverage and interest than they have had in a long time.