Violent crime up again in USA, more murders, robberies

[Undertoad]

Not quite, tw.

Even when the statement is rewritten, as you have done, "that is a complete piece of shit you just splayed from your mouth",... it still addresses the argument and not the poster.

Now, if one were to say "YOU are a complete piece of shit for saying that," that would address the poster, and not the argument.

Preceding that paragraph were example after example of what TheMercenary did in a 24 hour period as he still does today. IOW opinion was backed by examples and facts. There was no insult because that post was clearly a statement of fact - with numerous examples.

That's not logical.

You are saying "Mercenaries' post was insulting. As proof, I have 25 other insults that he posted."

If I ask you for proof that the sun will come up tomorrow, you may be tempted to indicate that the sun has come up for millions of consecutive days. That's statement of fact - but not proof. The history of the sun has no bearing on what happens tomorrow morning.

A rewriting of Merc's original statement would be "I colorfully and vehemently disagree." It does not address the facts of the argument -- it doesn't refute it -- but it does address it in a way that gives the reader a tidbit of additional information.