Sondra,

I'm sure we're all sorry that Tony Hall's cover "art" offended you, and God knows I thought it was in poor taste too, but isn't humor a very subjective thing? Should we make assumptions about Nic's value as a person because he did the equivalent of telling an offensive joke?

Speaking up for Nic, what Ralphie is alluding to is that Nic's recordings have been "buried" in record company vaults for years which, together with his disability, "killed" him as a recording artist. The cover is alluding to that situation more than to his disability per se.

Ralphie, who is Nic's friend, is far more qualified to judge his humanity than either you or I, but I for one think his humanity IS demonstrated in his music. The loving way he selected, arranged and sang old songs, the slight chuckle in his voice during humorous passages, and the way his guitar creates the perfect mood for each song, suggest to me a man of great sympathy and artistic vision. The cartoon proves he has a sick sense of humor, too. Remember, our imperfections are part of what makes us human, too.