Bill has got it right, but I don't think it's anything to do with lefties or righties.

I have for some time had the feeling that in some areas there is an unwarranted respect for citation. If I say as my personal opinion, "Obama is an idiot" my view will be accepted or rejected as appropriate. But if I cut and paste an article from wherever that says "Obama is an idiot", there is an expectation that this view should be taken more seriously, purely by virtue of the fact that it has been published by someone else.

It seems to stem from an idea that if you can get something published, you must be an authority worthy of respect. I doubt this was true even in the golden age of newspapers. In the age of the internet, it's palpable nonsense.

nick