Okay, know everyone is getting excited and such but please remember in IC no one knows that Rutherford is saying anything and in fact - any actions from the characters against him would be considered Metagaming - which is an auto kick from RP. (Hell even if they did know he hasn't done anything to warrant getting killed or hit or attacked, so forth.)
I'm not sure if people are joking about killing or attacking him anymore or if that might actually occur in game (or at least try to) so wanting to to be double sure to make sure the firm line is drawn. Now, he does something they see, sure - have fun trying shit - until then though remember the your characters, their personalities, the times, and such.
@Morose - Yeah go ahead with that. No worries.