Your second sentence is more hostile than needed. One of the reasons I ask Tom these questions that he is one of the more rational folks on HN, particularly on

Your second sentence is more hostile than needed. One of the reasons I ask Tom these questions that he is one of the more rational folks on HN, particularly on other issues. It's pretty clear that he realizes he made a mistake, hence the deflection. Making a mostly rational person feel attacked is only likely inhibit their logical mind.