[Peace-discuss] Histrionic performances

[Ron Szoke]

Manufactured Outrage :  A falsified righteous outrage at things that are basically 
unimportant and meaningless, frequently employed by politicians, political 
activists, or the media. Politicians and talking heads use it to garner support for 
their causes, to claim the moral high ground and to tar their opponents; the media 
often just uses it in a cynical bid to increase ratings.
    Manufactured outrages of note include Nipplegate, the Monica Lewinski scandal, 
the 2009 tea parties, backmasked satanic lyrics, lapel pin controversies...
  --  Just about any time you hear any politician, activist, or radio show host 
getting outraged about anything, really. The louder and angrier they get, the 
harder they're working at manufacturing it.

   -- The Urban Dictionary, online