geeeeez, if a forum troll can wreak such havoc then ripple doesn't seem to be that much of a system, does it?
Trust really means trust. As long as you don't grant trust to someone you don't really trust with that amount of money, you'll be fine. The trust system is what allows you to be independent of the banking system if necessary, though it doesn't insulate you against inflation caused by central banks.
Trust, just like love, is eternal only while it lasts
I guess that Mark Karpeles and Peter Vessenes trusted each other for a few months while their contract was drawn up and signed.