"I really love Sumner. He was the brite spot of erudition in an otherwise intelectually dull landscape."
When he was sober.
"I include the Texan that used to strut in the student union spouting his opinions as fact, in the guise of a civics course."
Society may be in need of a new 12 Step group to address that particular form of inebriation: "Hi, I'm Eddie, and I'm addicted to the sound of my own voice." "Hi, Eddie!"
"Anyway "A violent physical or verbal attack." I don't think so. If that was violent what do you call what Joe did you he got in your face?"
The words "rage, "abuse," "tirade," "tantrum," and "outburst" come to mind, although the list is by no means exhaustive.
In fact, the following passage, written by the CIA's predecessor agency about another individual who had memorable rages, contains various details (e.g., biting objects, spittle, purple face) that might ring a bell for you [I have substituted the name of Joe for the name of the original subject]:
"Almost everyone who has written about [Joe Gauld] has commented on his rages. These are well known to all of his associates and they have learned to fear them. The descriptions of his behavior during these rages vary considerably. The more extreme descriptions claim that at the climax he rolls on the floor and chews on [substitute "tennis balls" for "the carpets"] ...
Even without this added touch of chewing [substitute "tennis balls" for "the carpet"], his behavior is still extremely violent and shows an utter lack of emotional control. In the worst rages he undoubtedly acts like a spoiled child who cannot have his own way and bangs his fists on the tables and walls. He scolds and shouts and stammers and on some occasions foaming saliva gathers in the corners of his mouth ...
"He was an alarming sight, his hair disheveled, his eyes fixed, and his face distorted and purple. I feared that he would collapse or have a stroke ...
"It must not be supposed, however, that these rages occur only when he is crossed on major issues. On the contrary, very insignificant matters might call out this reaction. In general they are brought on whenever anyone contradicts him, when there is unpleasant news for which he might feel responsible, when there is any skepticism concerning his judgment or when a situation arises in which his infallibility might be challenged or belittled. ... [A]mong his staff there is a tactic [sic] understanding: "For God's sake don't excite [Joe] - which means do not tell him bad news -- do not mention things which are not as he conceives them to be."
"Many writers believe that these rages are just play acting. There is much to be said for this point of view since [Joe's] first reaction to the unpleasant situation is not indignation, as one would ordinarily expect under these circumstances. He goes off into a rage or tirade without warning. Similarly, when he has finished, there is no aftermath. He immediately cools down and begins to talk about other matters in a perfectly calm tone of voice as though nothing had happened. Occasionally he will look around sheepishly, as if to see if anyone is laughing, and then proceeds with other matters, without the slightest trace of resentment.
"Some of his closest associates have felt that he induces these rages consciously to frighten those about him ... [a] technique by which he would throw his entire entourage into confusion by well-timed fits of rage and thus make them more submissive ...
"Rage and abuse became the favorite weapons in his armory ...
"This is not the time to enter into a detailed discussion concerning the nature and purpose of the rages. It is sufficient, for the present time, to realize that his associates are well aware that [Joe] can and does behave in this way. It is a part of the [Joe] they know and are forced to deal with. We may point out, however, that they are not conscious acting alone since it is quite impossible for an actor to actually become purple in the face unless he really is in an emotional state.
"... If we examine the causes of these outbursts, we almost invariably find that the trigger which sets them off is something which he considers to be a challenge of his super-man personality. It may be a contradiction, a criticism or even a doubt concerning the truth or wisdom of something he has said or done, or it might be a slight or the anticipation of opposition. Even though the subject may be trifling or the challenge only by implication, or even wholly imagined, he feels called upon to display his primitive character ... To contradict him is in his eyes a crime of 'lese-majeste'; opposition to his plans, from whatever it may come, is a definite sacrilege, to which the only reply is an immediate and striking display of his omnipotence.
"As soon as his display has served its purpose and cowed his listeners into submission, it is turned off as suddenly as it was turned on. How great is the insecurity which demands such constant vigilence and apprehension!
"... we must ferret out and seek to correct the underlying factors which produced the unwelcome phenomenon. We must discover the psychological streams which nourish this destructive state of mind in order that we may divert them into channels which will permit a further evolution of our form of civilization."
Source:
http://www.nizkor.org/hweb/people/h/hit ... index.html