i had a friend who had left her husband after he filled the garage with undelivered newspapers from his newspaper delivery job. after she challenged him about it, he'd become upset, and said, 'how could you let me do this?!' this line became an inside joke between her and her hip new boyfriend.

they used it as shorthand to signify recognition of an attempt by someone else, or themelves, to transfer responsibilty.

no, i'm not asking you to look within; this is a story about other people. if that's an offense, i ask you: how could you let me do this?