While most of the Cox techs I have met are very polite, it seems you met one of the few that wasn't. That being said, do you have a green cable box in your yard? In most areas, there is an utility easement code, "Utility easements can grant access to a property above, below, or on the surface."
Also, if you have cable, and for one reason or another, there is a problem being caused by your connection affecting others, I believe they have the right to make repairs to cable connections on the outside of your home.
This doesn't excuse impolite, rude or bad behavior, but I just wanted to provide this info.
