I don't think the two things are remotely similiar. Being an intellectual doesn't mean you steer away from controversy. Generally it means quite the opposite.
Welcome to freedom of expression. "Freedom" is only that when it applies to the minority, not the overwhelming majority. Anything else is a bully pulpit.
Some people are going to be offended no matter what. I'm not disagreeing that what he did was in extremely poor taste but a much better response for everyone involved is to ignore it, rather than validate it.