zlacker

Well even if ilk had a negative connotation for my intended audience (which clearly it does to some people), I am actually trying to invalidate and dismiss Altman's arguments.

>>elil17+(OP)
When someone is arguing from a position of strength, they don't need to resort to petty jibes.

You are already arguing from a position of strength.

When you add petty jibes, it weakens your perceived position, because it suggests that you think you need them, rather than relying solely on your argument.

(As a corollary, you should never use petty jibes. When you feel like you need to, shore up your argument instead.)

>>dustyl+ub
Well I didn't intend it as a "petty jibe," but in general I disagree. Evocative language and solid arguments can and do coexist.