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So, about this whole Justin Amash thing...
Lots of folks talking about the Michigan Republican Rep’s statement about Trump deserving impeachment.
Some on the left think it’s going to start a wave of defections.
From my experience, people should prepare for the opposite.
1/
Lots of folks talking about the Michigan Republican Rep’s statement about Trump deserving impeachment.
Some on the left think it’s going to start a wave of defections.
From my experience, people should prepare for the opposite.
1/
I’ve been in a bunch of situations where a single actor was breaking rules, doing damage, hurting the group and was clearly the problem.
Everyone knew it. No one did or said anything.
Then, someone broke the silence and said what everyone was thinking.
2/
Everyone knew it. No one did or said anything.
Then, someone broke the silence and said what everyone was thinking.
2/
While you’d think that would lead to a wave of people standing up, it didn’t.
In each case, some of those people initially - emphasis: initially - quietly whispered to the whistleblower that they agreed, admired their guts, etc., but none joined them.
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In each case, some of those people initially - emphasis: initially - quietly whispered to the whistleblower that they agreed, admired their guts, etc., but none joined them.
3/
Here’s the thing about cones of silence:
No matter how certain the people under the cone are that the bad actor is wrong/toxic/dangerous/criminal, those people are committed to the cone.
Lifting the cone doesn’t liberate them. It scares, shames and destabilizes them.
4/
No matter how certain the people under the cone are that the bad actor is wrong/toxic/dangerous/criminal, those people are committed to the cone.
Lifting the cone doesn’t liberate them. It scares, shames and destabilizes them.
4/
At first, they briefly agree with an air of “Ahh, someone finally said it...”.
But then - very quickly - they subconsciously realize that if they back the whistleblower, they’re out on a limb too... and if people believe what the whistleblower said, they just got outed too.
5/
But then - very quickly - they subconsciously realize that if they back the whistleblower, they’re out on a limb too... and if people believe what the whistleblower said, they just got outed too.
5/
They got outed for being a silent, spineless go-along.
And so they not only don’t stand up too, they go dead silent. They vanish. And they simmer and stew and steam... at the whistleblower... for “disrupting the peace”.
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And so they not only don’t stand up too, they go dead silent. They vanish. And they simmer and stew and steam... at the whistleblower... for “disrupting the peace”.
6/
There is no “I am Spartacus” moment coming here.
Amash told the truth. He knows many of his colleagues agree.
None will join him. Many will say nothing. Some will actually go after him.
And that’s what keeps the cone so silent.
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Amash told the truth. He knows many of his colleagues agree.
None will join him. Many will say nothing. Some will actually go after him.
And that’s what keeps the cone so silent.
7/
Forget the idea that people complicit in Trump’s enablement might suddenly find religion.
If you think they were cowards before, just watch them now.
They’ll defend their cowardice like their lives depended on it.
Inside a cone, courage isn’t contagious. Silence is king.
8/8
If you think they were cowards before, just watch them now.
They’ll defend their cowardice like their lives depended on it.
Inside a cone, courage isn’t contagious. Silence is king.
8/8
