One of my philosophies is :

"Why should anyone suffer (what they consider to be) foolishness in silence ?"

I sincerely wish nobody did that.

I say what I mean and mean what I say -- I don't think that makes me a mean person.

Or would they just passively/aggressively throw insults into the wind.

Polite discourse would be nice. I always wonder why people can't look at something they don't agree with and just keep moving. That being said, they have a right to their opinion. I usually let them have the last word, unless they choose to personally attack me. Very brave of them. They wouldn't dare say that to my face. I'm the opposite, in person I have no filter, I think before I hit the send button.