Years ago, we had an incident that actually made the national news, at least, Rush mentioned it. I actually know the principal involved. This was in an area elementary school.
Some kid brought an ORANGE water pistol to school, and everyone lost their f'n minds over this! They wanted nothing short of having the poor child drawn and quartered, charges leveled, juvie, suspension, loss of parental rights, arrest the manager of the store that sold the water pistol to him, etc, etc.
My friend the principal basically told them there will be nothing of the sort done to this child, (her quote: "Settle down, for God's sake, IT'S A FREAKING WATER PISTOL!") The whole thing died right then and there.
Sometimes all it takes is for someone with some sense to stand up and call an idiot, an IDIOT!