If folks are going to post in a forum whose brand is “controversy“, they would do well to develop tough skin because, at some point, they will be rubbed the wrong way.
As a veteran of the “ad hominem” wars, I have adopted a policy of “not-dishing-out-anything-I-can’t-take”. So, bring it on! The only time I play the age card is when a person proclaims as “new” something that is “old”, thereby giving me the satisfaction of getting into my “been-there-done-that” mode.
Yes, I often do make personal attacks on people during the course of arguments. I've decided that this is because an individual gradually becomes the personification of his argument, and if I reject his contentions, then I tend to focus on the things about him that lead him to make these contentions. And I do sustain my share of slings and arrows.
True, you and I don’t agree on everything, Troy, but in the course of disagreeing, we don’t resort to insults. Dare I say this is because we belong to a "mutual admiration society". Plus, I'm gratified that you've provided me with this cyber bridge to hide under and project my best imitation of a troll, lying in wait, ready to harass the Billy Goat gruffs that cross over.
Delano, I give both Troy and you credit for how you resolved your differences. Troy offered a straight forward apology and you responded with a simple "OK". Great. Contrast this to how things went down when Pioneer demanded an apology from me. My response was to acknowledge that he was entitled to his opinions and his - was to gloatingly interpret this as an apology, forgiving me for my sins by bestowing a "thank you" on me before taking his bows...