PS another “proof” that R Soloveichik was bothered by attitudes of halahkists and not just baalei batim is a story that I heard (from a partisan source, so please correct me if this is out of context, I was not able to find it in writing). He was asked – given that he spend so much time pursuing academic studies, how was he able to catch up with other Talmidei Chachamim in learning (*)? His response (tongue-in-cheek in I presume) – when others were learning Torah, I was also learning Torah, and when others were saying lashon hara about me, I was learning secular studies. So, we were learning Torah same amount of time.
(*) this seems to be R Feinstein’s most concerning issue – that secular study will take time from Torah learning and thus will not be able to develop into Talmidei Chachamim. R Feinstein was asked whether it was ok to cheat on a secular test and not waste time from learning (Igrot Moshe, Choshen Mishpat, Siman 30). He categorically disallows cheating but, I think, says that you don’t have to go take those secular tests. Not sure whether this is directed only to those who plan to cheat or otherwise. If someone has a source handy, could you please clarify?