Isn't threat to sue a public thing?This isn't a rational process. ;-) It's easy to concoct a credible story and create fuss if you're so inclined. I'm afraid the only way to fight this stuff is to be a sponge. Soak it up. Squeeze it all out later when the dirty work is done. ;-)
If you want an example of the fuss to be expected from any sort of escalation, check out
http://spacefold.com/lisa/post/The-Foxx%2c-the-Voxx%2c-and-the-Phoenixx.aspx#comment
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
