In today’s mamby pamby society, when someone tells the truth it’s “taking a shot.” Cant speak the truth anymore for fear of hurting someone’s feelings.
Anecdote: Friend in NO enters elevator with a guy with 2 big bags, asks guy how long he has been there. He says, 2 years helping with the reconstruction. Friend says, how's it going. Guy replies, It's tough to help people that won't help themselves.
Your statement applies to conservatives commenting on leftists and liberals. That’s “taking a shot.”
When the left does the same, even (especially) when it’s a complete lie or personal attack, it isn’t “taking a shot” but “speaking truth to power.”