I've observed the most painstaking, polite and well-grounded argument completely wasted time and time again. It just does not matter whether one is a pitbull or a dove. Many people are simply impervious. Exhibit A: some of the comments under Father Daly's piece on Trump and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The disappearance of Elagabalus's posts in the Disqus days was completely mysterious, and many people objected. It had nothing to do with sarcasm or hissy fits. I don't know why one would ignore him. He's a lively debater, well informed. In fact, I'm straining to remember whether he's ever made a false statement. Nothing comes to mind.