The situation escalated significantly, and Lynch indeed played a role in it. He threw himself into the matter as an element, but what truly fueled the rapid fermentation of the situation wasn't him or the media.
They didn't have the capability to sway the official attitude; what made the authorities cautious was their enemies of equal status.
Not everyone has a friend with a "license," and not everyone can rely on a friend's "license" to get things done for themselves. Many people are actually overwhelmed by the system, which makes those with social status but no access to power very fearful.
Their fear stems from the fact that their wealth and power have not successfully aligned as initially imagined and are still just two parallel lines. This means if their opponents use the power they lack against them, they will find it difficult to resist.
