Man, that's one of the clearest example of backfire efect I ever saw. I litteraly sad that they wouldnt have to do anything as long as they bend the knee and publicly kiss the ring. That's exactly what happend. And in your mind you manege to spin it into "exactly my point!". I bet you think you're unusualy rational person capable of changing their mind in the presence of evidence... "If only everyone else would listen to reason!", right? I'm not even mad, it's acctualy an awesome case study. But I'll stop right here. I don't belive it will be productive.