Danny, Mike like everyone else knew it was a figure of speech.
It's probably unwise to say stuff like that on a forum because folk can take it literally and make something out of a conversation if we were having face to face would be considered as something throwaway.
Having said that Mike knows about pushing buttons and talks about civil disagreement, I'd say he was as nasty a piece of work as anyone yet likes to hide it behind a socially acceptable veneer.
It's designed to pee you off and is in every bit as abusive, trouble is hidden motives don't show up after the event and are more difficult to criticise because he will swear black is white that he's innocent of such motives, trouble is when you write the actual words describing frustration that many folk are comfortable using because they know they are not meant literally you leave yourself open to criticisms like Mike's and he'll take an easy opportunity like that every time.
I'd suggest editing out the offending statement just for the sake of not making yourself a target, we all know who is who around here and where we are coming from anyway. I ain't going to think any less of you for posting it and I'm not going to think anything more of Mike for his input. So it's just a suggestion mate but I'd just alter those words and be done with.
Don't allow him the ammo, he's shown himself as a sad and desparate man on many occasion and is always trying to look more impressive than he is, don't make it your problem!
The amount of times my Mrs has threatend to 'kill me' still haven't prompted me to get her arrested for attempted murder, normally there's just a humourous chase around the room where she gets the better of me as a result usually. Trouble is if it got written down it could be taken out of context by someone wanting to make some mileage out of it.
When you are as open about your feelings as you are Danny it shows your unguarded nature, the
REAL nasty peices of work tend to make sure they come across as respectable because they are aware they have something to hide.
I'm suspecting that's what has happened here. And if you ever say to me that you'll pay for my dentistry, after I've punched your lights out I'll remind you that I don't have a tooth left in my head already, I'd have to get someone to hold on to my dentures before we started fighting...