Apparently some Milton Freidman fans are assholes

I think because I’m listed first, I often get emails meant for other bloggers here at LGM. Today, I’d like to share with you one of those emails:

I read your article on Milton Friedman. I see you live in Seattle
and are 31. You are quite the underachiever and malcontent. If you
become a dentist and live in Seattle, perhaps you will do the
statistically right thing.

Best regards,

(redacted)

Now, I can only assume that the bizarre reference to dentistry is a reference to the high suicide rates amongst members of that honorable profession. I’ll also note that this email came from someone’s work address, with full name and contact information, and a long disclaimer that included the following: “If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by telephone at XXX-XXX-XXXX”

So, if I wanted to counter his assholishness with some retailatory assholishness, I could call that number and say, “I got an email in error–your employee, so and so, insulted me and suggested I commit suicide because he didn’t like what I wrote about Milton Friedman, but since I didn’t write anything about Milton Friedman, I think this was an error on his part.”

Would that be petty retaliation or just deserts? Opinions welcome…