The Part of the Exchange ...

... that Gene Callahan apparently decided not to approve (he moderates all comments in advance of posting).

Published exchange begins here.

Last published sentence from Gene: "Is it necessary to embellish your flagrant misreadings with sneers?"

(So far) unpublished response from me, as best I can remember: "Necessary? No, but I like your usual style so much that sometimes I'm moved to emulate it."