I have had similar experiences, complete with the full spectrum of anti-Semitic expletives. Thankfully it’s been a tiny, tiny minority. But even half of one percent out of tens of thousands emails over the years adds up. What’s so dismaying about it is that the conversation seems completely normal — albeit intellectually hostile — and them some button gets pressed and *boom* out with the Holocaust jokes. Most of the time this has happened while arguing with liberals and leftists. But, I have to assume, that’s in no small part because I mostly argue with liberals and leftists via email. Regardless, it can be very depressing.

As for the threats. You never want to be too cavalier about such things, but at the same time these people have been all talk — so far.