Thats not taqleed shakhsi. Ulama like Shaykh Albani and Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen also agree that taqleed for lay people is necessary. I would say Sufism is the root of many problems because of the level of blind obedience that comes with peer-mureed relationship. Taqleed is not really an issue if its kept within limits. Scholars and students are not associated with a madhab on the basis of taqleed, rather they are affiliated to the madhab because of its principles as dr.ati explained. So if a layperson wants to be 'Hanbali' on the taqleed issue, he does general unrestricted taqleed of any imam. Do you agree there are different levels of ijtihad? If yes, then how can one do ijtihad and taqleed in the same issue at the same time? Are you sure you quoted that correctly? What was the point of your post exactly when I did post a direct link to his posts where people can read.