[the guy who be short]

Professional burglar indeed! A thief is still a thief no matter the name he gives himself.

So to steal from an evil dragon is... wrong? The Arkenstone cannot be seen as theft, of course, being stolen to avert a needless war.

Oh I must have been mistaken in my judgment of character. I thought that giving away all but on grain of his blessed soil so that the shire could grow beautiful again was altruistic. But seemingly it was to further his political career.

How do you think he became Mayor seven times in a row? Bah. It's all about politics.

Let's not forget that Sam never desired the spot light whereas Bilbo seemed rather obessed with being the center of attention. Writing verse about Elrond's family in front of him and then having the nerve to recite it. Doing that whole party thing so he could be remembered. Seems a bit arrogant to me.

Bilbo was enigmatic, a wonderful trait. and Sam, not desiring the spotlight? Mr Pay-attention-to-me!-I-have-thirteen-children? Mr Running-off-to-adventure-abandoning-his-gaffer? Mr Mayor-seven-times-in-a-row-so-invite-me-to-your-parties?