I dont take a challenge of my statements to be an attack - a challenge is an opportunity to revisit a statement and learn missed details. On the other hand, those who hurl insults (not you) detract for their opportunity to persuade or learn. As far as dealing with then, I care not to cast pearls before swine.
Yes, the insult hurlers are not worth anyone’s time. They abound on the Ukraine-Russia threads (and the vax doomer threads, too). Which is why I usually stay off these Russian Ukraine threads. Lots of ignorant hotheads duking it out like a bunch of what the British call “football hooligans”. Once in a while, there’s a thread with reasonable and knowledgeable people.
Sad. FR used to be a place with lots of smart people from all over, people with various interesting life experiences, areas of knowledge. I used to learn so much here from so many. The insult butler’s have nothing to teach and no interest in learning anything, just Twitter settle slugfests. Not my cup of tea.
Anyway, glad to “meet” you here! Nice to see someone who is interested in the truth and polite and smart here.