[Isaiah] Berlin's observation is accurate enough, and applies at home as well, and even more harshly for the reasons already mentioned: the apparatchiks and commissars could at least plead fear in extenuation.
Apologies; our cultural obsession with them isn't about actually being offended, or simply needing to hear, “I'm sorry. ” It's not really about right or wrong. It's about wanting to throw a rock in the dark and hear something break.