Blackmail

“SAN QUENTIN, I HATE EVERY INCH OF YOU. YOU'VE CUT ME AND HAVE SCARRED ME THROUGH AND THROUGH. AND I'LL WALK OUT A WISER WEAKER MAN. MISTER CONGRESSMAN, YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND.” – “SAN QUENTIN” BY JOHNNY CASH

When powerful individuals are worried that certain information may leak to the public, but they cannot “eliminate” (kill) the person who could expose it, then there are other ways that a person can be silenced. Just about every single person has a past. We have all done one thing or another that we would rather not be revealed to the general public. If these secrets are threatening enough to our reputation, then it can be used against us.

Blackmailing someone doesn't necessarily mean that ACTUAL history has to be used to threaten someone in a position of power. Just about anyone can make false accusation to discredit a public figure. When someone is threatened with their careers, families, children, or reputations, many will feel helpless to defend themselves. Many will do almost anything to preserve their lives.

The number of public officials, municipal employees, federal officers, healthcare professionals, and military leaders who could possibly be blackmailed is virtually limitless. We may never know how many people threatened into betraying their positions, oaths, or creeds. When even the smallest thing can be blown out of proportion and exaggerated through the lenses of the public sphere, having faith in the truth to set us free seems like a fool's errand. Sadly, when you lose your faith in the truth, you can easily sell your soul in the process.