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If the source started as disreputable then it is wise to weigh its conclusions lighter than more reputable sources. It's not an ad hominem attack, it's inductive reasoning.

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It's still ad hominem, even if it's also inductive reasoning.

I'm still hoping for a follow-up addressing the claims, rather than the person making those claims.

If the disreputable source is the sole source for those claims, then, yes, one should hold the claims in less than high regard. But if that disreputable source points to a third party, then that party should be the one under condsideration.

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