I do tend to feel about as neutral about Laura Hale as others feel about Denise Paolucci: that is, while I can understand and sympathise about how some things some people do really get under your skin - as Denise Paolucci really got under mine - I don't support all the "omg she's WORST FAN EVAH" stuff, which I think is largely sourced to the outrage from One True Wank.
(Outing astolat, done with malicious intent, would indeed be bad: but I've never seen any indication that Laura knew astolat wasn't out about writing the dragon novels.)