Shtika Kehoda’a is a klal to be used in our context.
Definitely so, in my opinion at least. Think about it.
There are many people who read this thread even if they do not actively participate.
Who like Habad, those absolute masters of PR , who act at their leader’s directive of “Hazaka Al Ta’amula she’eino hozeret reikam” , who don’t pass any opportunity to own the mic and to be mefarsem their shitah and their view.
If those [good but] loud people are suddenly quiet, it is going against their grain.
For that to happen ,there must be a reason . And a good reason.
The most simple reason is, that : whatever they are going to say, will reflect badly on them. So, cut your losses and move on to a topic where I can shine.
That’s what I meant with shtikah kehoda’ah.
Not that they are modeh al ha’emet in their hearts.
They are too far gone for that.
But that their silence is proof that they do not have any good answers.