>Given its current state, is it possible for the VFP language and the VFP community to rise from the ashes and become the powerful tool and vibrant community that it once was?

the answers to this question by long time VFP gurus is generally "No" :(

Why not just find a new vibrant community? :)

www.west-wind.com has built a vibrant community... its partially based on VFP and partially based on .NET. You'll find lots of interesting and exciting new developments on that site.

there are plenty of other vibrant communities.

good luck :)

Dave.