I know you would like for me say that I would absolutely do tbe patriotic thing in their situation, consequences be damned. But the fact is, I don’t know. I might be a true patriot or I might be a coward.
If I do the right thing, I’m a patriot. If I stay silent, then I would be a coward and accomplice - just like those Good Agents. Anyone who tried to make excuses for such cowardice would be an apologist.
And yes, you are an apologist for the cowards who stay silent.
No I am not. I am saying they are faced with a daunting decision. But I do not condemn them for the decision to remain quiet and label them cowards. Primarily because I do not know how I would proceed myself. I know I am a patriot, and I am willing to bet most of them are patriots as well. But the sacrifice, or the great potential for sacrifice, does play heavily and even more so when you have loved ones that would be adversely affected by your decision.
Were I an orphaned single person, then the decision would become far easier, but still daunting. Hopefully under those conditions I would speak out, and even you would see me as a patriot.
You are wrong as to what my goal was. It was for you to admit that bluster is easy and placing a label on someone is just not right. Because in certain circumstances, doing the right thing is very hard and the sacrifice you make may be all for naught. Many people, and most likely the majority, are unwilling to become the sacrificial lamb without knowing what the final outcome just might be. I do not disparage them with a negative label, especially when I do not know exactly how I would react when faced with that choice. I think that if I were the lone person putting myself up in front of a buzz saw, then the circumstance might make me take that plunge. There is no doubt in my mind though that I would be second guessing my decision as that buzz saw grew ever closer. Most have an inherent instinct for self-preservation, and I am no different.
Look at Edward Snowden. He has payed a heavy price for his actions. While some view him as a traitor, others view him as a whistleblower. Even I am conflicted as to what he is. Mainly because I think he went way too far with things he revealed, even though I appreciated some of his revelations. Let me end by saying that I am glad we both were able to come to some understanding and relish the fact that we could communicate. You are not my enemy, and hopefully you now realize that I am not your enemy. We just disagree as to whether or not those who stay silent are cowards or not. That remaining silent does not mean that they are any less patriotic either. Hopefully you will see them in a more empathic light. While they are in a small way complicit, the truth is they just lacked, or perceived they lacked, the fortitude to come forward. Especially if they had seen someone else eviscerated for doing so. But they probably should have concocted a plan similar to deep-throat in Watergate. I would like to think that at the very least I would speak out in that fashion. But unless I could deliver proof without having my identity compromised, it would end up going no where and fast.