Arlee, with all due respect, considering the fact that it is now almost three months since your posting about this, I think it's time to drop the subject, especially about your posts here and our response to said posts. It really doesn't apply to the nature of the thread, either. I'm happy to share my thoughts directly to you, provided that you won't flip out over my response. I don't pull any punches regarding 3.0, if you noticed.
I'm happy to share my take, once again, but you probably won't like what I'm about to tell you.
I'm going to respond to your points, top to bottom and I'm going to leave it at that. If I seem cold or calloused, I am. I've done but lost all respect for Don Henley and the rest of the band for that matter. I also don't "feel bad" for Deacon in regards to any criticism. Nor do I hold back my thoughts on the current band, it's members, and any side personnel that factored into the Eagles continuance. So just a heads up.
About the seepage of anti 3.0 in other threads, especially positive 3.0 ones: I personally try to avoid doing it. I won't rain on your parade in a concert review/hype thread. I don't see very much if at all of it in those threads, if I'm honest here.
Regarding the "pro"-current Eagles: the threads for that would be any concert review threads, or pre-concert anticipation threads for new shows. Also I'd like to just point out that you can find other threads that have nothing to do with the new Eagles good or bad that are a wealth of information, great pictures, fun games, etc. It isn't all doom and gloom, and you can avoid most of it. So I don't believe that it is that hard to avoid Arlee. I think the Border offers a lot more than 3.0 talk.
Other threads: This thread "Looks like the band..." is for
both sides to discuss their feelings together on the current lineup. If we think we can talk about something in an open thread for both parties, that's where those posts go. The "For those saying..." thread is
only for those of us against the new Eagles, our safe space from personal attacks and vitriol thrown the way of the so called naysayers of 3.0. Something I'm not ashamed about, but I'm glad we have an open platform where we can say how we feel without having to respond to the other side or deal with any conflict. It's where posts that are more negative about the current lineup go and it's more intense. It's our soapbox and I'm glad we have it. I personally try to keep any 3.0 banter to either this "Looks like the band" thread or the "For those saying..." thread. I prefer posting in the for those saying thread as there is no conflict as all posters that post in that thread are on the same page and I personally don't feel like having to explain my thoughts for the millionth time to pro-3.0 posters.
As far as negativity and a bias to be against the current lineup: Yes, there is negative reactions here to the new Eagles. Yes, there are a lot of us here that are upset about this and, yes, a lot of us are very outspoken about it. I personally feel once the band decided to move forward, they opened themselves up to said negative comments and "extreme negativity". You may disagree, and that's fine. We disagree here.
As far as the topics about Vince and Deacon: Personally I have zero interest in discussing either of these two men. I don't hold Vince in very good regard at all, and I'm pretty much neutral to Deacon, so you won't see me bumping those threads all that often. However, the Eagles Guests board is a perfect example where you can talk about these two guys and you will likely find other pro-3.0 supporters who are happy to join in. I recommend bumping those threads yourself if you'd like to see more discussion about Vince Gill and Deacon Frey. I promise not to rain on your parade in those threads. I'm sure it will be a positive area.
Now I'm moving on to the numbered questions/points.
1) I'm in the camp that thinks he's old enough to handle it and again, once he moved forward with this and put himself in the public spotlight, you are naturally going to get people who don't like you or something you do. I personally don't feel bad for Deacon in this regard. I'm sorry for the loss of his father, but I don't think he is immune from comments from anti-3.0 posters, I'm sorry but I just don't. Certainly not now. My only suggestion would be to just ignore posts that you feel are unfair to Deacon, and promote him in the appropriate threads. I don't hate Deacon Frey. I don't even dislike him really. But I also don't love him or have a "soft spot" for him. I'm disappointed with him choosing to join the band but I don't think he's a bad guy. With time I like to think he will move on to his own job, and that he will mature as time goes on.
2) I personally do not agree with the sentiment that we don't know him as well as they did, or that we shouldn't speculate. I have just as much of a right to say what I think Glenn would want as they do. I'm sorry if you don't see it that way or think it's ridiculous, but I do. I don't buy the whole "who are we to say" line. I just don't. And I certainly don't feel like what we've heard Glenn say or just pick up on is invalid at all.
3) Of course it's for the money! If the whole line about it being "for the music" is to be bought, why can't they stay busy doing what they love as solo artists or as a group with an entirely new name? They'd still be doing what they love, without tarnishing the band's history at the end. They aren't the Eagles. It is my personal opinion that Glenn Frey was the most important member of the band by a long shot. You may agree or disagree. But there can't be an Eagles without Glenn. I'm sure Don fans might feel the same about Don but Glenn was the Eagles to me and nothing will ever change that. He was their Steve Jobs. THE guy. As far as Henley's pain, it must not be bothering him too awfully bad. If I was Don, I'm set for life in terms of money, I'd not spend my last years in pain just because you love the music. I don't buy that. It's about $. Being under the Eagles banner doesn't make it more fun nor does it mean "you love it more" or you are doing it because you just love it. You could (and should) love it with any members with any name.
4) Good question. First, I'd have to have it that this never happened with them now. This would be prior to doing 3.0 as it's too late to make it better now, I'm soured on all of them from here on out. I would have been ok with them under a new name, as their own band. I'd also prefer that they not do any Frey material. If they were to do Frey material I'd want them to keep it to just a couple hits. TIE or something. I'd also like it for them to never have brought Vince Gill along. I can't stand that guy. Bringing Deacon along is fine though. And I'd like them to do one of those concerts under the billing of a public tribute for Glenn. And no, having them labeled as guests does NOT lessen the blow at all. Going out under the Eagles name and being seemingly all business as usual is an abomination and should be treated as such. It's very wrong!
Again, as I referenced above if they don't want to play solo shows, they CAN play together, but under a new name as an entirely different outfit. That option is very much doable. And I'd be fine with them singing Eagles songs that weren't Glenn's except a couple hits maybe. As far as the hatred only over the name, I think you are undervaluing the importance of the Eagles name and how much of it had to do with Glenn alone. It isn't something to be taken lightly here.
In conclusion:
Arlee, I really hope we can at least agree to disagree here, and maybe even exchange a parting e-handshake. We won't ever see eye to eye on this matter and it's just going to lead to more anguish for you and I both to deliberate on this topic any more than we have. I personally am trying to step back in 3.0 talk somewhat as I have a lot on my plate in my personal life right now but I did want to respond to this, even for no other reason than to clarify my stance and defend my posts on this matter. I hope I answered your questions and responded to the points you've made in a way that you might not agree with, maybe even are against, but that we can agree to just leave it be with hopefully no hard feelings. I have no ill will against you and I'm certainly hoping that we can discuss other things in other threads if you so choose. I'm personally open to that. I certainly don't mean to offend you directly. But how I feel about this is how I feel. I wouldn't ask you to hold back your thoughts if the tables were turned. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from. Life is short and I really don't want to spend it arguing with people I likely will never meet. However, I am an outspoken guy and I share how I feel about things, at times in a very forward manner. I
really don't want to keep arguing with the pro side. I would like to discuss new news about the current Eagles and I'm keeping that to the other anti-3.0 thread. Less conflict there.