Mario Batali deftly fends off Twitter morons after raising money for Texas pro-choice charity

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.