I think Persico was trying to bait them somehow or make some kind of point trying to be philosophical. It's hard not to call out a hypocritical government when they're putting you on the spot for your way of life. Anyway, like I always say and I'll say it again: someone rats = front pages someone doesn't rat = not publicized that's why he thinks 99% are rats. It's actually understandable, when someone rats they talk about it over and over until you can't even get it out of your mind.