Someone has to speak out where needed, and damn the torpedoes

To the best of my knowledge, I have never trained my crosshairs on him, as I have not had occasion to do so, or the inclination. This is primarily because his erudite prose is invariably measured, civil, and tolerant. 
However, the bifurcation of approach leads us back to the matter in hand, that of my dismissive slapping down of Messrs Pike and “HHB”. I make no apology for this and stand by my comments regarding those two worthies. I call it as I see it. 
In UK police drama parlance, these characters have got “form” and are not shy when gratuitously carpet bombing others with whom they happen to disagree. 
I for one am okay with responding to bigotry and wilful ignorance. 
For the umpteenth time, let us not forget the words of Edmund Burke when contemplating a world bereft of democratic principles, because nobody could be bothered, or lacked the courage, to stand up for them. 
In the final analysis, discretion rests with the editorial staff, as without their sanction we all remain silent. So, let us be thankful. 
Dr Frank