.... then someone personalises the thread by bringing in a post from elsewhere, that has the result of flaming.

Not flaming, Dick. Although my post contained a quote from elsewhere, it was from a current thread and was directly relevant to the point in question. In fact, I suspect that the other thread, at least in part, it gave rise to this thread.

On more than one occasion you have dredged up some long dead thread and made repeated references to it, goading the other person into a response and then calling foul when they do. MtheGM talked of pots and kettles, above. This is another example.

If this personalises the argument too much for you then that's just tough. Feel free to add whatever body language that comes into your imagination.

DC