It's not an attempt at a gotcha. Making that assumptions probably tells more about you than the comment. I pointed out that "free" studies have numerous costs involved regardless of what you call it. The alternative cost being the major one.
It is free at the point of use. Just like firefighters are free when you call on fire or cops are free when you call them cause someone parks at your place. Or just like highways are called "free" when you don't have to pay for using some section of it.
Somehow the taxes pay for it thing never comes up with these.
