shooting the messenger
diplomatic immunity – Form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments and tribunals egodystonic – Behaviour or feelings inconsistent with self-image guilt by association – Formal logical fallacy conflating the properties of things with non-relevant connection kick the cat – Metaphor about frustration within an organization own goal – Goal scored against a player's own team scapegoating– Practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame ad hominem – Attacking the person rather than their argument