Sir, - The politicians of Ireland have a lot to answer for. After so much emotional caterwauling in the Dail, they have infected a large segment of the population with outrage-itis. This pernicious canker affects the brain and renders the patient unable to distinguish between an outrage (the O'Flaherty nomination) and an Outrage (revelations at the Flood tribunal). Equally nauseating symptoms include a predisposition to seek high ground, preferably of the moral variety.
The only cures are the notorious "humble pie", and the "bleeding heart" bandage (both usually avoided at all costs). There is thankfully a blockbuster vaccine, known by its generic brand "cop-on". I suggest those fretting about the O'Flaherty nomination take a large dose. - Yours, etc.,
D. Manchet, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2.