Folks
As the OP I want to say that it was never my intention to start a contentious row about this. I heard the exchange in real time and having never heard something quite like that before I posted here to get input.
I was never an airline pilot, but I was a private/commercial pilot for over 30 years before losing my medical. I listen to ATC because I miss aviation very much.
In any event, I am sorry for turning this into a slugfest.