Peace through mutual blackmail: is that what’s happening in Washington? https://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2017/05/25/peace-through-mutual-blackmail-is-that-whats-happening-in-washington/ Blackmail, extortion. It’s not the only game in town, but it’s the big one. It lurks around every corner, it sits in every conference room, it weaves its way through legislation, policy, and judicial decision. It’s the other branch of government.