F_Gordon, did you see spyder's 'reconsideration of a MIM Standard Tele' (eating crow) thread?
http://www.tdpri.com/viewtopic.php?t=1667
It takes a big arachnid to keep an open mind. Don't be afraid to do the same.
As another forum member put it, and I'm paraphrasing, the MIA's are just 'slick' MIM's. Both are quality instruments.