Political Correctness on "American Idol" (or Simon Cowell is NOT Evil)

I was watching "American Idol" last night (not something I normally do, except for the beginning auditions where most everyone is terrible), and a thought occurred to me. Every time Simon Cowell is brutally honest with a performer, the crowd boos, as if he's doing it for shock value. Paula and Randy are always extremely generous, and seem to find the good in every mediocre performance. But when Simon calls things as they are, the other 2 judges, along with the audience, is outraged. Why?

I think a lot of this is symptomatic with what is wrong with society today. It seems that these days, you can't be honest and say someone did something wrong, or badly. To do so is seen as being "unfair" or "tough" on the person, when really it's just about being honest. People make mistakes. They sing songs badly. They do their jobs poorly. Great authors put out bad books. Why should we walk on eggshells around people when they goof up? It's what makes us human, and it's why we have competitions. These little fumbles are what inspire us to do better next time. If everyone on "American Idol" was great, then what's the point of competing? They're all even, give contracts to everybody. God forbid anyone's feelings get hurt. We as a society are becoming weak. We can't take jokes anymore. We can't take constructive criticism. People are offended by everything. Nobody is at fault anymore. Spill that hot coffee in your lap? It's not your fault for being STUPID, it's McDonald's fault for making it too hot. Go sue them for a bazillion dollars. It really makes me sick.

Does Simon Cowell go a little too far sometimes? Sure. Is it done for shock value? Partly. But it's only because he has our number. He can be a lemming, like Randy, Paula, and that abomination Ryan Seacrest, and tell everyone that they were wonderful, we love you, blah, blah, blah. But he tells the truth. And sometimes the truth hurts.