Ad-hominem attacks usually say more about the sender than the receiver. "Coward" in particular has historically been most often employed against conscientious

Ad-hominem attacks usually say more about the sender than the receiver. "Coward" in particular has historically been most often employed against conscientious objectors and others who don't want to kill strangers in someone else's war, thus risking their reputations, employment, and freedom. The people making this attack today are appealing to those who grew up with conscription (forced violent labor) who mostly either think it's normal or lack the courage to speak out. And the people/media repeating it either enthusiastically or uncritically are announcing their own positions. So ad-hominem attacks can actually be quite illuminating, though not in the way the attacker intended.