Hey Pilot......I feel your pain man....I love the song too, because it hits home for me and I'm sure for Trey as well (or else he wouldn't play it so much).

I think you need to understand the point HarryHerring is making...These guys don't like it because it lacks subtlety. Phish specializes in vague and sophisticated imagery and song construction...songs that are like paintings which you have to stare at for a long time before you begin to get a sense of what you're looking at.

You have to admit that Show of Life is rather like a country song. Kind of "God bless us, everyone" sort of thing that a lot of us aren't prepared for. They're not hating on it, per se.
I like the song very much, but I remember hating Throwing Stones when Bob Weir started crooning it in the '80's. I thought it was pandering and manipulative.
Do you know that song? If not, look it up and listen to a version of it, and you'll perhaps understand what all the digs are about with SOL.
Peace, bro.