With the surge in XRP, one thing I've noticed is a corresponding surge in fanboys attacking people pointing out these same facts on the 2 popular social media sites.

I have no doubt Ripple has employed a PR company who has been paying trolls. I have no proof other than how their modus operandi seem to follow the same playbook we've seen play out with other major "image management" campaigns.
(For example, last year's "correct the record" people online)