The difference, of course, is that in your metaphor the reaction is not related to the critique. If I created a website called "Singapore Loves Shooting Critic

The difference, of course, is that in your metaphor the reaction is not related to the critique. If I created a website called "Singapore Loves Shooting Critics" and Singapore responded by shooting me, that would be seen as confirmation of the critique. If I created a website called "Singapore Loves Square Dancing" and Singapore responded by shooting me, that would be an overreaction but not one that related to the criticism.