The underlying problem is that he is using Bazantian's limit case as the basis for what any "natural collapse" scenario should be - and he has effectively stated as much directly in recent exchanges.
<< He has never AFAIK admitted nor shifted off that false premise.
The first page of the paper
unambiguously states that this is not the case - that it is a simplified model with an idealistic scenario made to maximize the likelihood of collapse arrest to the utmost extreme.
<< True. And that is the only aspect relative to this discussion about Tony's foundation error. It is more complicated in the wider discussions because there was historically a lot of confusion on "both sides". Now vociferously denied by several debunkers despite the evidence being in full view in the relevant threads.
So if he cannot even be bothered to acknowledge that, then there is no discussion with his points period.
<< I don't discuss his points OTHER than when pointing out his foundation error and identifying that his points cannot be argued. Others are not so pedantic and will follow him down his rabbit burrows of evasion/derail. He's had this explained for probably over 9 years
<< More like 6 - "Missing Jolt" was published 2009 - I first identified what I now know is Tony's SOP trade mark use of false premises in Nov 2007. I've been pointing out the foundation error of MJ since probably early 2010. On numerous occasions explicitly and directly addressed to Tony. He cannot claim ignorance of the advice from me or many others. and the only response I've ever seen to that is that it's an inane point.
<< If he even acknowledges. If you take pity on his para-religious obsession - he must know it is the keystone of his thinking - he loses the lot if he accepts that he is in error. The whole house of cards tumbles. this is an engineer saying that, then it is a text book case of why appeals to authority are a fallacy.
<< Yes though more important IMO is that he calls up his authority as an engineer. The downside for him is that taking that stance leaves him open to accusations of professional dishonesty - where the standard of proof is lower than proof of "lying". (Genuine belief in a false obsession is at least a partial defence against the charge of "lying". Not so simple in a professional setting.)
If he were to make his argument within the scope of the limit case MODEL properly then all of this discussion has value.
<< Except that his claim cannot be supported within that scope BECAUSE the claim is about the real event. For example Bazant's conclusion that there can be no case whatsoever of collapse arrest being incorrect is a valid counterargument.
<< Correct. And the irony. The Szuladzinski, Szamboti and Johns paper made such a claim - IMO it is prima facie valid and AFAIK has never been falsified with any rigour. I've told Tony I think they - Sz, Sz and J - have a case that warrants an answer. Second irony - if true other bits of Sz, Sz, & J rebut Missing Jolt. 
But as long as the model remains a simplified limit case the attempt to draw a direct analogue to the actual event will serve no purpose other than to demonstrate that the person arguing that has no idea how to apply a limit case.
<< Or is being deliberately dishonest. I incline to the view that T Sz really believes his obsession. BUT - if that is true - is is an extreme form of "faith" winning over "reason". Most faith based beliefs are in areas of life which do not conflict much with the victims profession. I find it hard to conceive that ANY engineer who can function in even basic engineering in a real world job could at the same time hold to the sort of engineering nonsenses that Tony posts which are obviously false - some of them should be obviously false at the level of junior high school student. Doesn't need genius to see a lot of the faults.
Personally, "the Bazant does no wrong" argument is limited as much by the limit case as Tony's premise.
<< Actually no - it conflates two areas of discussion which should be separated. . The contention with the Bazantophiles goes to the later papers - not the limit case. Bazant's support of "Crush down - crush up " is simply wrong if applied to WTC Twin Towers. It is based on a 1D approximation and Twin Towers collapses cannot be validly explained in 1D Bazant can be wrong,
<< May be wrong on the "Limit Case" - the Sz, Sz and J contention that his quantification of mass is wrong. but with the known limitations of his limit case model the only thing you really draw from that is maybe his conclusions' not so absolutist - that perhaps under very specific circumstances collapse could self arrest.
<< The line taken by Sz, Sz and J --- which BTW is "Model" NOT "Real" so no value in real event. But Tony's clearly not arguing that,
<< True - he would self rebut if he did - tho that probably wouldn't be admitted.
and the only purpose "Bazant is always right" serves to do is to provide a podium for that angle to be perpetuated.
<< It is a separate issue - where I recently encountered "strong resistance" when I attempted to discuss it rationally. It's on my "back burner".