Reply #22: Right-wing authoritarians have a little well of aggression inside, but they're too scared to

[Marr]

ever take it out on someone who could dish it back. The only time they'll actually become violent is when an authority figure tells them it's alright, and the target is extremely vulnerable (greatly outnumbered, physically disabled, etc.). Then they can be very cruel and very aggressive.

Bob Altemeyer's The Authoritarians describes the personality trait to a tee. Since I read that book, this kind of behavior no longer surprises me.