I've never worked at Microsoft, but I'm pretty sure Bill Gates and Steve Jobs sent messages like that to working groups, and even department lists. I have no idea whether it's right or wrong, but I don't think this kind of thing is atypical for big tech projects.
Linux just happens to be open source, so when it happens in Linux you hear about it.
All this argument seems to do is solidify the idea that engineers would be well served to work on their ability to interact with others. It doesn't make screaming and swearing at your peers okay because Bill Gates or Steve Jobs does it, as much as everyone would like to think so.
Linux just happens to be open source, so when it happens in Linux you hear about it.