Sombre:
I know he almost certainly doesn't mean it the way it comes across, but that hardly lessens the first impact. The way it was formulated was very much like getting slapped across the face.
I've suffered from the occasional instance of foot-in-mouth muyself and it isn't once or twice that I've said sorry for some misunderstandings (and that's just these forums). If it happens occasionally in unrelated context, not so bad, you don't make omelettes without breaking eggs after all. But when it happens in the same way in the same context so as to be a virtual repeat of a previous not-so-long-ago occasion, that tends to garner a stronger reaction.
It's also the implications: I feel very strongly about my duties toward the community, about the responsibility I was given. So if it appears as if my carrying them out is under question when not warranted, I'm liable to go up in flames instantly.
On the other hand, if somebody flames me to a cinder over my views on some issue that is a matter of opinion, I'll cheerfully take it on the chin and return the favor and nothing to it afterward, it's all cool.
I do appreciate your words, though.
Also, regarding the last two lines of your post: The medical bill for the broken ribs is in the mail, it has GOT to be illegal somewhere to make people laugh that hard...