[American in Israel]

Length of time at Free Republic is poor credentials compared to what life hands you. As to if you are a troll or not, your speech is abusive, you are deliberately obtuse, and are ignoring the obvious as if you only write but do not read. These are the three top traits of a Troll. If it writes like one, speaks like one and thinks like one, it most likely are one.

[John Valentine]

My speech is never abusive except in response to unwarranted, misdirected, and personal attacks, such as the one you leveled against me. I have alwyas learned to speak truth against the lie, and I will continue to do so in spite your apparent wish that I hold my tongue.

Neither am I obtuse, although I must admit there seem to be few on this thread capable of making fine distinctions. That is the only explanation I can come up with why people attack me for holding views and positions that I have never espoused. You seem to fall into this category.

Also, my complaint is about OTHERS who don't read. I do.

Your descriptions of a "troll" are pretty much on target, but I submit to you that, quite unwittingly perhaps, you have just described yourself to a "tee".