A Climate of Intimidation

"How, sir, do you explain your actions and the actions of your party?"

"Oh, it's the climate of intimidation fostered by the other guys. Absolutely."

"You have been accused of being stubborn, uncompromising, and obstructionist, sir. Can you refute that?"

"Certainly! My party is the soul of cooperation. We will meet any person, discuss any issue, explore any avenue to reach a mutually beneficial compromise. But we will not tolerate the climate of intimidation that these people encourage."

"Some might say - indeed have said - that it is you and your party who are the intimidators. How do you answer that?"

"Pish-tosh and piffle, sir! We are the most moderate, rational, and accommodating people you could meet. We will bend over backwards to come to a fair resolution. But those people are being mean to us! We can't be having with that kind of thing. No, sir. Have I mentioned that they promote a climate of intimidation?"

"Maybe once or twice."

"We're scared!"

"So, is that your explanation of why the Sudetenland was not enough, Chancellor?"

"Ja, have you ever seen such a bully as Poland? What choice did we have?"