I salute you for trying to get John reinstated. It's a good friend who stands by you when you're down. At this point, though, I think the best thing you can do is accept defeat graciously and move on to other things.

I accept that Michel won't budge, but actually, I don't feel any defeat. The majority still remember JVP as some who provides plenty of value.

And it's good to know that some opposed it for essentially personal reasons...rather dubious, given this is supposed to be a tech forum. My exchange with Tore last night was particularly insightful.