"Speak up, Burt, you needn't fear offending me."

Could it be because he fears offending the extreme-right forces that see a conspiracy in Mr. Foster's death?

I was of course ignorant of the social customs of her people, and feared offending her accidentally.

The nuns' home is theoretically exempt from search because its occupants are nuns, and the civil authorities fear offending the Roman Catholic Church.

He also fears offending the Chinese, who have not only been his hosts but whose good will is important to Cambodia in the future.

"It's crazy," said an analyst with a New York-based investment firm, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared offending his business contacts in China.

"Do not fear offending us, Captain," he said.

'Everyone Is Scared' But others fear offending the paper.

The Democrats, who seem to fear offending any potential voter, aren't saying much about it either.

Would some fear offending a Governor, much less a potential President, with a reputation for being unforgiving?