The argument was settled a long time ago. For some reason it is difficult for some people to read before they post. I predict that, since you have resurrected the topic by posting to it, several people will now read the initial post, and, without bothering to read any responses (or any Tolkien, for that matter), they will ejaculate their own ignorant ideas and/or redundant evidence for this or that side of a nonexistent debate.
Edit: But since you've dug up the thread, some may be interested in the topic I linked to above. Instead of editing the posts here, I'll just provide a link to
the thread on the new forum. I've recently updated the links in it at the request of a forum friend.