Rule #7: Silence is not acquiescence.
Contrary to what you may have heard, silence of those present is not necessarily consent, even the reluctant variety. They simply may sit in stunned silence and figure ways of sabotaging the plan after they regain their composure.

Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.

Ignorance is never out of style. It was in fashion yesterday, it is the rage today, and it will set the pace tomorrow.
-- Franklin K. Dane

If you sell diamonds, you cannot expect to have many customers. But a diamond is a diamond even if there are no customers.
-- Swami Prabhupada