Your answer is very much appreciated, and pretty much clears up the questions and objections I have posted.
I note, for the record that:
a) The rules, as explained, leave much room for boorish, churlish, rude, and antisocial behaviour. That’s not a criticism ... just an observation. Town square and all ...
b) The rules, as explained, also provide guidance in responding to the behaviour noted in (a) above while still avoiding the deadly sin of “making it personal”.
c) Ignoring the behaviour in (a) above is, always, an option.
d) “The demeanor of the poster says more about his own confession than the post says about yours” is a good reminder for all.
Ping to interested parties
For the record, “making it personal” is banned because it is usually the first offense of a flame war. Town square style debate (open threads in the RF) can be robust, contentious, even antagonistic - but it must not turn into a street fight. LOL!
And it's often the only option, should the "boorish, churlish, rude, and antisocial" poster insist on pinging you to his unsolicited insults, despite repeated requests to the contrary.