Making "unsubstantiated" observations in casual conversation is a social custom that has served civililized (Western) people quite well. Invoking virtual "court rules" and "rules of evidence" in an attempt to attack the credibility of someone who comments on something he's heard is something that I think would be more appropriate for the taliban than a discussion between a group of friendly acquaintances. It is a pity that you do not even recognize normal conversation when you see it.
"The ease with which you regularly make negative attributions to others is not only not nice --- it is a bit frightening."
*BOO!*
Oh, and thanks for casting your negative attributions my way -- with such ease!
Someone pointed me to 77, but that just shows more of the other stuff I've seen, indicating that the two words are equivalent.
-Michael Pelletier.