The big takeaway i like was that you were thinking critically to the point that you seemed to be looking for motive, or a lack of one. You seemed to me to be making an argument with an end goal in mind and in a town way.
It wasn't just a half hearted thing, kinda like melkor throwing in the thread that I was wrong about you asking for claims (or whatever he actually said)
There didn't seem to be any need, urgency, or attempt for melkor to continue on with that line of questioning. I took it as he just wanted it in the thread to appear townish and let others do the work (scum leaning him a little now)
You have been following your logic to a conclusion which I like