From what I've seen, DFers have negative emotional responses to bents for a couple of reasons. One is the small front wheel that most have. Small wheels are for kids' bikes, and besides a proper bike should have two equal-sized wheels! The big-wheel bents are making inroads in that respect. Another is the image of FOGs with white beards riding them. Nobody riding uprights revels in trying to look like Santa Claus, and those among us who do are not doing the group any favors. As we see more performance-oriented sport riders coming into the fold, the FOG aspect will become less important. For now, sykdive69 sees lots of nerds riding bents and doesn't want to be associated with them. Shallow, high school-level thinking processes, but that's all he's got, so...
One big item that I'm afraid will always be an issue is body language. Simply put, tall is superior and low is inferior. Commoner bows to royalty lest he accidently attain a higher, threatening position. Dog cowers before his enraged master. Bird has strategic advantage over your car's windshield, etc. This factor is subconscious, primal. Uprights have the advantage here, although few recognize why. It's strictly a left-brain thing. Logic doesn't work against emotional responses, as skydive69 illustrated.
What's the moral? Nuttin'. Just go out and ride. But if you get a chance to upset someone's worldview, go for it!