Mr. Bharara bristles at such criticism, arguing that his office has brought many mortgage-fraud charges.
Mr. Rumsfeld dismissed such criticism, arguing that early versions could be effective even if imperfect.
Metallica have defended themselves from criticism, arguing that "the fact that everybody's got an opinion means people still care".
The town and village justices have reacted furiously to criticism, arguing that criticism of their courts was an attack on democracy.
"The rationalist tradition makes us sceptical; we exist through criticism," argues Monique Canto-Sperber, a philosopher and director of Paris Sciences et Lettres, an elite university.
At a Capitol Hill news conference, the House speaker, John Boehner, rejected Rice's criticism, arguing that a "bad deal" with Iran would be destructive.
Representative Mary Bono Mack, a California Republican who oversees a subcommittee responsible for online privacy, dismissed that criticism, arguing instead that familiarity breeds a deeper understanding of consumer privacy issues.
Some Republicans defended themselves against the criticism, arguing that the bill had been filled with "pork" that had little to do with Sandy relief.
The president has hit back at the criticism, arguing that people should not be penalised for happening to live near him.
"There are too many new entrants," said Sevanti Ninan, the editor of The Hoot, a Web site devoted to media criticism, arguing that even the big players "are financially vulnerable".
