It's not like I need to defend rpietila because he does a fine job for himself.
Really? Where is he then? He's been strangely absent during this entire time he could have been defending himself.
I do find it strange however that your criticisms are diametrically opposed to reality.
What is your basis for making this statement? You think you can just lob this out there and I will accept it and let it stand as a rational explanation on its own accord?
Also note that my interest in Monero started before rpietilla's obvious activity and stems from other sources. I do appreciate his support and information but I don't take that info as "word" but instead as a piece of the puzzle.
Its a piece of a different puzzle, it won't fit in your puzzle because its not the right size. Trying to jam it in there will only result in an incomplete puzzle.