We need reactionaries. We need revoluionaries. We need other points of view. We need the sometimes strident voice to point out the stupidity of a situation, and make us realize we are the ones who are important. We are less when someone leaves. Dave, I don't always agree with anything you say in a post, but I ALWAYS read them. Your POV helps the rest of us develope our own, whether for, against, or over to one side. Sure, there are disagreements, and sometime heated arguments. But I don't know of a disfucntional family anywhere that doesn't have them, and I've never seen a functional family except on 60's sitcoms. Don't go. And if you do go, the prodigal will be welcomed back with a fatted calf and open arms (even if there is a knife hidden up a sleeve). Besides, you ain't gonna let them win, are you?