Why did you italicize a word? Why speak with any emotion ever? Why not focus exclusively on the optimal method of transferring information from one being to another?
Why say lot word when few do trick?
In this case, I believe that using italics to convey emphasis and a bit of emotion is the optimal method of transferring information (here, expressing surprise and questioning someone apparently favoring a practice that is generally correctly viewed as a pure negative).
I disagree, he could have made his point more efficiently, therefore undercutting his complaint.