That whole reaction has nothing to do with whether the comments or valid or whether or not their response was hypocritical--the reaction was due to the sheer fact that Islam was being criticised. Thats the problem--and its a very primitive and irrational type of "kneejerk primal emotional response" with no self restraint or respect. Its like the abusive dad who beats his daughter because she is talking back or questioning authority; one of the prime tenants of Islam is the bowing down to authority, and a slander against Islam is the ultimate act of defiance, one which is taken personally by the followers. This is true in all religions, since it is the prominent way in which the religious authority allow themselves to stay in positions of power, and Islam that is more strict than any other. Sadly, this type of reaction is a product of a relatively primitive lifestyle that is allowed to endure in certain parts of the world, and performed by people who are mostly otherwise reasonable and good-hearted.