As if back channels or threats of unfavourable treatment don’t exist. Just because the government doesn’t put it in writing on the public record doesn’t mean t

As if back channels or threats of unfavourable treatment don’t exist. Just because the government doesn’t put it in writing on the public record doesn’t mean they aren’t exerting other forms of power. In this case they did make statements both public and private and also engaged other parties to put pressure on. Asserting that this is “like just their opinion, man” is like saying the thugs that come into your store and admire it while saying “nice place, it’d be a shame if anything happened to it” are just expressing an opinion.