Let's see:

The functional/imperative distinction is not a real one

Oops.

I think he's probably confusing the functional idiomatic approach/style/dialect/whatever with the functional paradigm. I mean he says "The majority of the difference between functional style and imperative style is in how you deal with collections."

If I got it, you are saying that he perceived the surface features (dealing with collections), but not their deeper cause (avoid mutable state). Sounds about right. Re-oops, I guess.

I don't mean to shit on jim.

Now it occurred to me that I may have forced you to. Sorry.