Don't really want to delve into the past, but I'm pretty sure that a) Strider didn't intend to cause the demise of the game, and b) he didn't single handedly neuter the political parties. If he did manage it all on his own then that was some achievement!
The point is that we need to look to the future and how we're going to recreate interest in the game, not keep arguing and finger pointing.
BCLG100's post is pretty much what I thought. So let's all try and be more positive, both about the game and how we speak to each other, before we drive the last few loyal citizens away.