...and did we expect any less?
It would be a great service to the reader if in the future you clearly dileneated fact from your opinion. Your statement about the 10 foot rule was indeed made as a matter of fact, not a matter of opinion. In doing so you risked needlessly causing angst amongst readers trying to differentiate fact from fiction from opinion.
But if you ever do decide to stand by your statements, I'll still be happy to provide the laminating paper!