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I'm sorry I was harsh, but your post was completely off-topic, uninformed and had nothing to do with what was being discussed. The entire article was taken out of context and is old news (if news at all). The comments Simmons made were in relation to the feud with former band-mate Ace Frehely.

In short, Ace (a hopeless alcoholic and drug addict) has complained for over 30 years of his treatment by Simmons and Paul Stanley. Simmons and Stanley own and run Kiss completely. According to Simmons, Frehely and Peter Criss were given the opportunity to be partners as well, including sharing the investments and the risks but, they opted to only take money as "at-will" employees under contract. When their various addictions and "depressions" caused them to miss shows, promotions and other work-related functions or show up incapacitated, according to Simmons, they were eventually fired under the terms of their contracts. Frehely claims he left of his own free will (in 1982, again in 1996 after the reunion tour and finally in 2002 after the "farewell" tour) but, none-the-less, he sued Simmons and Stanley, convinced Criss to join in and the litigation languished in court for many years costing Kiss a ton of money, time and lost revenue because they refused to "settle" and pay off the malcontents. Frehely's life has spiraled out of control ever since, despite a net worth of $1.5 million, he makes ends meet and generates publicity by cashing in on his Kiss legacy - making appearances and writing about what monsters Simmons and Stanley are (Simmons' net worth is over $300 million these days). Youtube is plastered with Frehley's whining to anyone who'll listen (e.g. Howard Stern, Opie & Anthony, et.al.). It's Frehely who hides behind the "depression" and threatens suicide. Gene Simmons simply spoke his mind after 30+ years of the victimhood broken record. He knows as long as Frehley can make a buck on the Kiss name, his threats of killing himself are just drama. That's the story behind Simmons' remarks to the best of my knowledge, but there are two sides to every story so I could be wrong and I kept my mouth shut about it.

Simmons' religious views (or lack of) and talent (or lack of), have nothing to do with anything in the topic and saying "former band" when Kiss are actively touring and doing a new reality TV show next season just pushed me over the edge. You're entitled to your opinions and tastes but, Kiss found a market and exploited it whether you or I like it or not, an admirable Capitalistic trait in my book. Gene's a patriot, suffers buyer's remorse for supporting Obama in 2008 and is a charitable, sober guy who believes in free speech. He supports our troops, visits them, contributes time and money to vets and Wounded Warriors and is outspoken in his love and defense of Israel. He's a recovering liberal (like I was 30 years ago) and I'm pulling for him. He may or may not be a jerk, but I agree with him more often than not these days. I was sure a guy who wore a Yamaka at his wedding was an unlikely atheist, but I can't document it because he keeps that aspect of his life private and so what if he is an atheist?, it's a free country. Frehley has always been a short-sighted, self-centered, drug-addled neurotic that plays the victim more than the guitar most days.

I saw your post as uninformed, off-topic and disruptive, even trollish and I over-reacted. If I had it to do over I'd stay silent and I hope you feel the same. Sorry about my rants - I'm withdrawing from nicotine (which is no excuse, but) I'm quite grumpy and I'm old enough to know better. FReep regards.