[mh-]

I really think that the HN guidelines need updating, so that we're directed to consider those comments the same way we do accusations of astroturfing:

> Please don't post insinuations about astroturfing, shilling, brigading, foreign agents, and the like. It degrades discussion and is usually mistaken. If you're worried about abuse, email [e-mail] and we'll look at the data.

It "degrades discussion" in exactly the same fashion.

[satiric]

Except "usually mistaken" doesn't apply here, since it's often true.

[mh-]

The position of "Degrades discussion" in that sentence implies that the accuracy of the claim has no bearing on that particular impact.