Reply #59: let's say you want to make it widely known

[madbelgiancow]

your village is under attack. But the enemy has cut all lines of communications. You have to signal to the surrounding vilages.

It is therefore decided that the only way to get the message through
is by sending a huge smoke signal.

Down goes the house. Wouldn't you offer up your house for this purpose?

See, I found a sneaky way to get back to my question (which you did not answer). Not that I remotely agree with the implication in your analogy that contesting an election is like burning down a house. It's more like a rape victim speaking out even when it's known she may get a beating in retaliation.

But thanks for teaching me the meaning of counterproductive.

I understand your take on this - it's not mine.

:-)

update for spelling