I don't think it was a bad career move. The people that still love him love him for everything he is. If Jack White declined or someone who the hipster indie crowd loves did that it would be total anti-establishment rock n' roll gospel. Axl does it and he is somehow wrong? I feel he did for two reasons 1. he was not comfortable with the hoopla surrounding the Hall of Fame induction and 2. he knew no matter what he did he would be criticized. I read his open letter and believe it was sincere. I also saw an interview with Matt Sorum saying he urged Duff and/or Slash to just call him and no one did. So his feeling unwelcome certainly seems warranted. One more thing and I'll jump off my soapbox. When I was very young I saw The Kinks getting inducted and Ray Davies said something like "so rock n' roll went and got respectable, what a drag". He was right. The prestige of the HOF is almost antithetical to everything rock is about. So good for Axl a truer rocker would be hard find.