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I'm not sure that there is that much forethought. Perhaps?

However, you don't even need a honeypot - for example, Saddam Hussein's purge.

(I'm not a political or historical scholar, so it's entirely possible there are details or nuances I'm not aware of or don't fully understand, but it's what came to mind when I read this.)

What is terrifying is that your comment actually makes a great deal of sense. In 21st century America. World’s oldest democracy, and a former beacon of light of the Free World.

It's literally difficult for me to conceptualize the current situation in the federal government. My knee-jerk 'that sounds crazy so I'll reject it out of hand' circuit is so strong that it's hard to override it with rational thought.

It'd be like seeing Santa come out of my fireplace on Christmas eve. Rationally, I think I'd have to start believing in Santa, but I don't think my brain would let me.

The chilling effect is real, and whether you are loyal or just afraid to be thought disloyal, you fall in line so the ones in power don’t care.