The textual fur is currently flying around in various spots on the Internet and I'm too stubborn to give in just yet. But I'm happy to report in this maelstrum, I have heard/read the following things:

"Actually, I think Hobbes is right and I may take it a step further and say that Gardner, himself was a sycophant."

"When I read the words "piss off" [that you wrote in your post], I nearly cheered."

"From what I've seen you write, am I right to assume you have scholarly credentials?" (I'm paraphrasing this because I don't have the email in front of me).

Heh. I do thoroughly enjoy debate, especially when I make headway.