I think it is important to note that in today's society, claiming your opposition is "playing the victim" is a common response to being unable to support their position when challenged.

The reverse is also true; someone may have an emotional investment in a topic but lacks an objective argument other than those emotions, so they claim their opposition is targeting them, etc.

Overall I think the problem stems from having two very polarized "sides" that have adopted a cult-like mentality. If you dare speak out against something your "side" did, you are, in fact, a double agent. The middle ground has washed away for most of society, and they lack the skills to engage dialectical thinking.