It is pretty representative of the state of the academia. You should have left it in, if only as to serve as a reminder that science nowadays is all about status.

How dare you? None of us have ever said something in a comment that was over the line! Um... at least not so far this morning... I think... um... (furtively checks comment history) nope, not me. I don't do that kind of thing (mumbling) so far today...

We've all been there. Props for recognizing it, admitting it, and dealing with it.