YtseJammers Israel

This is what I know....
This split between Mike and DT should never have evolved into this insanity. I don't comment often anymore b/c I see how out of control every statement becomes, but I read EVERYTHING, both here and in any other place my brother's name appears. While there have been many supportive people, I have come across far more horrible, mean, angry, rude posts/articles/comments about Mike.
Mike and I are very close and I have known the real details, from the very start, of what has been going on, even before the split occurred. I tried to make one supportive statement HERE (on Mike's forum) in the very beginning and freaking Blabbermouth took it and made a story of it... and basically all that came of it was that then both Mike and I received a ton of shit from people.

What it all boils down to is this... you might just have to trust in me, Mike, Wey or whoever. We've all stated that the information out there is not truthful or accurate, we've all said that stories are being skewed. It's not an excuse to say that Mike can't speak about legal matters; it's the truth. I can't speak about them either. But you know what?! Everything Mike has said IS true. There is 100% documentation to PROVE that everything Mike has said FROM THE START is true. It is documentation that cannot be shared at this time due to legal issues, so you'll just have to trust. But when Mike, Wey, I OR DREAM THEATER'S OWN LAWYER tell you that Mike is not suing Dream Theater and that YOU DO NOT KNOW what is really going on, we are not making excuses or backpedaling or anything, we are trying to tell you what we can/are allowed to tell you at this time.

No matter what he says, no matter what I say... people have been picking apart every statement and making it work for whatever they want to believe. I can already hear the drama this statement might cause, about how you are being asked to trust me, but I am Mike's sister, or that I am referencing documents that you can't actually see. Sorry. But you know what, even if we could share with you all of the proof Mike has, people would inevitably just start bitching about how Mike is such a dick for sharing such private documents and how that would be unnecessarily mean to Dream Theater. It's a no-win situation.

But the thing about all of this is that it is no one's business what is going on between Mike and Dream Theater. All this criticism and over-analysis is just mean, cruel and unnecessary. It's no one's business. Mike is damned if he does try to clear shit up and he is damned if he doesn't. What would you do if this was your situation? (That is a rhetorical question!) I promise you that the general response from the public has been very very very hurtful to all of us in Mike's circle. People don't know what is really going on. But I do. And I know that people, in general, are wrong. I just hope that as you move on in life, you try to practice the "golden rule". Is this how you would want to be treated if this was your life? I assure you that I am horrified by the stuff I've been reading. I would NEVER treat someone the way that people have been treating my brother. What I've read here is the least of it... but maybe since everything I've said here seems to find it's way to other forums, this will too? If not, maybe it's just inspired you to think a little kinder.

And remember that all of those examples of things that Mike did in an effort to please fans...and all of the stuff that he did that made you like him as a drummer and maybe as a person... that is still who Mike is. The only thing that has changed is the public perception of him - and most of that is not based on reality, but on misinformation and misunderstanding.

Please everyone... just relax, don't over-analyze and enjoy the music that is coming from all parties involved. THAT is what is being given to you by Dream Theater and Mike... not this stuff about legal matters and inner-band issues that are nobody's business. Stick to what is meant for you. The stuff that makes it to you on the periphery, just try to remember that you do not necessarily have the correct story. And again, if someone were examining the details of you life from outside, would everything make sense? What kind of person would you seem to be, from the perspective of someone who knows so little about you? Please...

thanks for letting me speak.
Peace everyone...
~ Sam

No matter what he says, no matter what I say... people have been picking apart every statement and making it work for whatever they want to believe. I can already hear the drama this statement might cause, about how you are being asked to trust me, but I am Mike's sister, or that I am referencing documents that you can't actually see. Sorry. But you know what, even if we could share with you all of the proof Mike has, people would inevitably just start bitching about how Mike is such a dick for sharing such private documents and how that would be unnecessarily mean to Dream Theater. It's a no-win situation.

But the thing about all of this is that it is no one's business what is going on between Mike and Dream Theater. All this criticism and over-analysis is just mean, cruel and unnecessary. It's no one's business. Mike is damned if he does try to clear shit up and he is damned if he doesn't. What would you do if this was your situation? (That is a rhetorical question!) I promise you that the general response from the public has been very very very hurtful to all of us in Mike's circle. People don't know what is really going on. But I do. And I know that people, in general, are wrong. I just hope that as you move on in life, you try to practice the "golden rule". Is this how you would want to be treated if this was your life? I assure you that I am horrified by the stuff I've been reading. I would NEVER treat someone the way that people have been treating my brother. What I've read here is the least of it... but maybe since everything I've said here seems to find it's way to other forums, this will too? If not, maybe it's just inspired you to think a little kinder.