"lightening rod" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that serves as a point of focus for criticism, blame, or anxiety. For example, "The mayor quickly became a lightening rod for public criticism after the announcement of the new policy."
"We don't want to be the lightening rod for holding back revenues.
And in March he will be included in the Whitney Biennial, a lightening rod of a show always ferociously noticed.
Some of Mr. Scrushy's supporters say his lifestyle and personality have made him something of a lightening rod for criticism.
Like few other financiers, Fuld, 63, has become a lightening rod for public outrage over the credit crunch.
David H. Knights, director of marketing at the Princeton Forrestal Center, grimaced as he acknowledged that the project had become a "lightening rod" for sprawl issues.
Schapelle represents the worst fears for people (a holiday that turns to hell) – a lightening rod for their complicated feelings about Indonesia.
Ms. Moskowitz has become the lightening rod for the charter school controversy in New York, with her relentless push to expand the network to 40 schools, and each new opening has unleashed opposition, anger and lately law suits.
As well the whiff of nepotism, the anti-Adam camp view his career at both the Football Association and the Royal Mail, where his high pay was a lightening rod for union discontent, as less than stellar.
Though Mr. Coats and Mr. Bush both support the current military policy toward homosexuals, known as "Don't ask, don't tell," some Republicans worry that Mr. Coats will become a lightening rod for criticism from gay rights groups.
But the bank has been dogged by accusations of betting against clients and its insistence on paying industry-topping bonuses to its staff has turned it into a lightening rod for public outrage over perceived greed.
The Sky Sports case, which has seen one leading presenter fired and another resigning over sexist comments delivered off-air (but with the microphones still on), demonstrates just what a lightening rod the media sector can be for diversity issues.
