"It's pretty clear to me that criticism of Johnny ( and the criticism related to his "icon" status), has been taken personally by many posters. It's as if any diminishing of Johnny also diminishes them."

I don't think that is the case at all. I think we are amazed that you do not see the reasons why he is considered to be such an icon. Perhaps it is because you are living in the UK and did not see the impact he had over here. It is more than an opinion, it is a statement of fact that Cash had an huge impact on the American music scene. The reasons that those of us listed above were meant to explain to you why we see it, not as a slight on our own egos.