C'mon, Rip, is your memory so short? Have you not trolled AGW over the past couple of years upon occasion? I wouldn't get so indignant...
Elf spouts some silly stuff, true enough. If he's serious (doubtful) the thoughts are so rambling and conflicted no person of reason would ever take them seriously. If he's playing he is at the very least a parody of the more extreme aspects of the diverse personalities that frequent the board. Either way if it challenges you to think harder about your stance on any issue it has done some good.
St.Santa, Mr. Fish, Midnight Tahgut- these guys have challenged me on views in the past, and not always in the friendliest of terms (well, Santa was always friendly), but that's cool. If I had to think a bit harder about what I was trying to say, what harm is that? The point is, the mental exercise in crafting an argument, even against a troll, can be worthwhile. People should not make such adamant stances for points if they are not prepared to back that viewpoint up.