When someone lies to you, and you, knowing full well it is a lie, go along with it, you are as culpable as the liar! You support & validate the mis-truth.
If the emperor has no clothes;
And you see he has no clothes;
While others proclaim his fine clothes;
Is not your silence reprehensible?
Silence is never neutral, it sometimes speaks louder than words.
Example:
During the President’s health care infomercial to both houses of congress, on Wed Sept. 9, 2009, he presented many, many deliberate errors (lies).
Yet 534 members of congress (435 + 100 – Joe Wilson) by their silence went along with those lies, supporting & validating them, even at times applauding, & standing & cheering him, hence becoming as culpable as the president for those lies.
Both as members of congress and as simple decent human beings… They, like Joe Wilson, should have objected to, rather than agreeing with those mis-truths.