[philman_36]

What is a poster to say? That they are not a “monkey”, “nutcase”, or “dufus”?

No, the person being castigated and denigrated simply asks the person to qualify as to what makes them the thing they're being called.

How exactly am I a monkey/nutcase/dufus?
What have I stated that leads you to make such a determination?

And if the person chooses to take another "stab" at you, instead of proving their assertion, you say...
That in no manner indicates that I am a monkey/nutcase/dufus.
Ask the same question again and also ask...
Do you not have strongly held beliefs as well that you are willing to defend?

[philman_36]

Well I thought I was entering a thread with a lively debate. Whereas there were replies every few minutes before I came to the thread it seems to have suddenly grown uncommonly quiet.

I certainly hope this old ogre didn't kill your thread.

[wintertime]

Good point! Good strategy! :-)