I think "I can imagine myself saying" implies he thought it was "reasonable". No, it doesn't. I can imagine myself saying all kinds patently disturbing and of

I think "I can imagine myself saying" implies he thought it was "reasonable". No, it doesn't. I can imagine myself saying all kinds patently disturbing and offensive things — things which, to a certainty, are not remotely "reasonable" — but I would never actually say, let alone mean, them. By analogy, I can imagine pulling my Leatherman out of its sheath and sticking the blade between someone's ribs. Doesn't mean it's reasonable, or that I'd ever do it, especially not in jest.