"Patent Troll" or "Patent Assertion Entity" Friend or Foe?

The Patent Troll debate is interesting.  Whether a patent assertion is viewed as a "shakedown" or a simple property right enforcement probably depends on which side of the action you sit.  This article in the Boston Globe brings out some good points and shows much of the vitriol surrounding this debate.  Regardless of where one sits on the debate, it's fun watching from the outside.