Rainboe:
you don't 'like' automation.
On the contrary. I'm fine with automation as long as it doesn't violate the KISS principle by making things more complex than they need to be for a given operation and as long as the specifics of any configuration doesn't inadvertently lead to the opening up of more holes in the cheese than the automation is intended to eliminate.
Your second para indicates that perhaps you may be guilty of the very thing you have roundly been castigating others over - namely not reading what people post.
As to the example you relate. If the Learjet was cleared to an altitude or FL above you then I would blame ATC for bad separation, if cleared to an altitude below you then I would respectfully suggest that we not promote the idea of A/T as a crutch for those who are incapable of managing their thrust manually.