What I don't like about engaging bashers on iHub is that that's how they
get paid (per response).

Those who respond to them are paying their monthly salary and keeping them employed, not to mention giving them more credibility (through engagement and number of responses).

By ignoring them they I think they lose both momentum and credibility much faster.

Starving them out (with no responses) is much more effective IMO.

Bashers work in organized blocks, why shouldn't we?

Just my two cents worth.