My view as a passenger - you know, the one of the people who sit up back and pay for the fuel and stuff - is that it wasn't a particularly concerning incident. I feel the that the controller had lapse of judgement but didn't endanger operations. The fact he did it shows a sense of family that is hopefully keeping him on the safe side of stress problems.
The JFK audio was less concerning than listening to the ATC/pilot comms at our local airport. Listening when a B737 after being offered landing runway on RWY 30 as RWY 23 had a significant cross-wind; the pilot (the only one to land on 23 in about a fifteen minute period) replied "We'll take our chances on 23". I'll tske the JFK scenario over that reply.