DY, I’m surprised that you’re surprised.
Surely you know that 98% of people who take people to task for ad hominem attacks, like the person at whom the ad hominem attack is directed. When the object of the attack is someone who is disliked, then the ad hominem attack is considered an integral point of the argument.
(Ok, I made up my 98%. No studies were carried out to determine the exact number. But I like how everyone here is so sure of everything they say. Even when what they’re so sure of is based on a one time, one shot deal or experience. So I thought I better pretend to be sure as well.)