Chef Mario Batali announced yesterday afternoon on his Twitter account (540K followers) that for the next 30 minutes he was going to match donations from his followers up to $5,000 as, in New York, Sarah Silverman and Lizz Winstead were holding a fundraiser for Lady Parts Justice, a pro-choice effort to support women in Texas struggling under new restrictive laws…

Hello Americans i am happy to match your donations for the next 30 minutes up to 5 grand in support of @TXWomenForever C'mon !!!!!

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

 
Of course, even the genial TV chef had to know that no good deed goes unpunished on Twitter.

First, he had to fend off complaints that offering to match what others gave would limit his own donation…

I'm trying to help raise awareness AND money!! RT. @Quiara: @Mariobatali @niais @TXWomenForever Why not just donate $5k?”

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

 
Then came another classic complaint: How could Batali give to cause X when cause Y needs his help?

Yes working on Philippines aid too! RT. @JeanTerranova: the Philippines could use your help. Bet you have cooks from the area.”

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

 
But inevitably, things turned political.

I'm for personal choice! RT. @KristiLuvsJesus: @NARAL Abortion is murder!! You claim to be for women; but what about unborn women??”

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

I think you need a nap it's pro choice. Bubye RT. @PolitiBunny: Pro-death is pro-woman? That's offensive. @jenjohnsonann @Mariobatali”

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

 
As things got meaner, Mario only got more charming…

You seem successful and delightful! RT. @USSANews: Pro choice? Then choose to eat a carrot once in a while you fat fuck. Just sayin…”

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

Thx for the tip, I imagine you could give me even more life advice RT. @Pambeaux:@TXWomenForever Stay in the kitchen and out of politics.”

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

I support all women's right to decide about their own body by themselves. RT. @PatriotMom69 @Pambeaux @TXWomenForever

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

 
Finally, this morning, he’d had enough of the nuttiness and pushed the keyboard away. But not before one final note of defiance…

signing out for now but you all keep trying to pick a fight. I'll be back to describe freedom every day and tell you why I believe in it!

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) November 19, 2013

 
Batali. That guy can cook.

Enjoy this piece?

… then let us make a small request. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and legal efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. And unlike other news outlets, we’ve decided to make our original content free. But we need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. Unhinged from billionaires and corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.

We need your support to deepen our investigative reporting. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us in the future. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click to donate by check.

Enjoy this piece?

… then let us make a small request. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism — and we’re investing in investigative reporting as other publications give it the ax. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. We need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. Unhinged from corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.

We need your support to keep producing quality journalism and deepen our investigative reporting. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us in the future. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.