The post writer named Allan Ross complains that I mischaracterized the columnist's opening paragraphs, regarding the painting of a picture where "careful conversations lead to meet-you-in-the-middle ways".

Well, I will step forward and say this to Allan Ross: I agree. In re-reading those paragraphs of the columnist, I agree that my brief summary was not accurate and is badly in need of radical editing to correct its clumsy mischaracterization.

But hey, how about some reciprocity? How about you step forward, Alan Ross, and agree with Mandi on this board, who correctly observed that "there is a vast difference between being hyperbolic and being sarcastic", and that you misuse the term "hyperbole"...

... which is to say that although you keep firing off the word "hyperbole", you are wrong, as Mandi noted, indeed your application of that word is erroneous and/or manipulative. In many cases what you pretend is hyperbole is actually sarcasm or satire or witticism.