IME, it's just part of the rhetorical toolbox of the 'outraged conservative' (I'm not criticizing all conservatives, just those who get carried away with this talk radio / Fox News rhetoric). Outrage, persecution complex ... you can see it in some of today's dissents: Alito protesting that people opposing gay rights will be criticized (is this an issue for the Supreme Court?), and, you won't believe it, but Scalia was outraged. Why should Friday be any different than Thursday?