Surely they can, but this particular kind of mockery reflects poorly on the man engaging in it. A person is known by what he does; there are real costs to spending your time engaged in elaborate mockery and vitriol.
If you've read Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, think back to the character of the knight:
> And though that he were worthy, he was wys, And of his port as meeke as is a mayde. He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde In al his lyf unto no maner wight.
He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde -- he has never said a villainous word -- in al his lyf unto no maner wight -- in all his life to any kind of person.
One should aspire to be more like a knight and less like a jester.
If you've read Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, think back to the character of the knight:
> And though that he were worthy, he was wys, And of his port as meeke as is a mayde. He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde In al his lyf unto no maner wight.
He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde -- he has never said a villainous word -- in al his lyf unto no maner wight -- in all his life to any kind of person.
One should aspire to be more like a knight and less like a jester.