The thuggery of outrage.

The following was posted on Lucinanne.com in response to an article in NY magazine about psuedo-outrage by someone using the screen name Teleologicus. I think it stands on its own.

"Whether the outrage is real or feigned, it is an expression of the Doctrine of Offense, which says that grievance and self-righteous indignation possess de facto moral authority.

This attitude is widespread. It permeates every nook and cranny of popular culture.

One TAKES OFFENSE at something someone has said or done - and one's offense represents a kind of moral claim on the supposed offender to pay an alleged debt of contrition and remorse.

One's OWN offense becomes SOMEONE ELSE'S problem - something for THEM to do something about.

"I am offended at what you said. What are you going to do about it?"

Remarkably, this blatant, irrational, emotional bullying and manipulation frequently, indeed usually, WORKS.

The offendee swells up in outraged indignation about something - and the alleged offender becomes frightened, defensive, apologetic, and tries to make amends. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or anyone. Please accept my heartfelt apologies." In some cases, a little cash or other emolument is added to make up for the pain experienced by the offendee.

It is nothing but libido dominandi - the Will to Power. And it is a source of recurring discouragement that so many individuals and organizations are suckers and wusses enough to fall for it time after time. The lack of moral fiber in those who cave in to such transparent and dishonest aggression is the real problem here"