"Shocked but not surprised" - how is this possible??

[flor de jasmim]

In an article in the New York Times on racial jokes by Secret Service supervisors (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/washington/10inquire.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin)

we find the following:

E. Desmond Hogan, a lawyer for the black agents, said the agents were “shocked but not surprised by the late production of significant evidence of racism at high levels in the Secret Service.”

My question is this: if you are not surprised at something occurring, it would seem that being "shocked" by it would be impossible.

DESPICABLE, however. One more area to clean up...

[jasmine621]

1. Go figure! I'm with you on this one. nt

[DAGDA56]

2. Shocked that it happened, not surprised in retrospect, considering

the overall environment.

[Merlot]

3. They were shocked that the evidence was found...

not suprised it existed.

LIke the person who isn't sorry they got caught stealing, but is very sorry they will go to prision.

[boobooday]

4. I can see it

Not surprised that the attitudes existed, but surprised at how out in the open they were inside the culture.

[malaise]

5. And then the M$M hacks attack Rev Wright for

speaking the truth.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ljm2002]

7. "shock"

From dictionary.reference.com:

shock 1
n.

1.
1. A violent collision or impact; a heavy blow. See Synonyms at collision.
2. The effect of such a collision or blow.
3. Something that jars the mind or emotions as if with a violent unexpected blow.
4. The disturbance of function, equilibrium, or mental faculties caused by such a blow; violent agitation.
2.
1. Something that jars the mind or emotions as if with a violent unexpected blow.
2. The disturbance of function, equilibrium, or mental faculties caused by such a blow; violent agitation.
3. A severe offense to one's sense of propriety or decency; an outrage.
4. A potentially fatal physiological reaction to a variety of conditions, including illness, injury, hemorrhage, and dehydration, usually characterized by marked loss of blood pressure, diminished blood circulation, and inadequate blood flow to the tissues.
5. The sensation and muscular spasm caused by an electric current passing through the body or a body part.
6. A sudden economic disturbance, such as a rise in the price of a commodity.
7. A shock absorber.