thought

You know, it's probably a requirement of governments to declare that they will punish the people responsible for whatever, but it's a bit pointless and futile from some perspectives. I mean, (a) you're relying on catching them in the first place, and (b) sure, we all thought you were going to just pat 'em on the back and let 'em go until you told us otherwise.

Actions may well speak louder than words, but it appears that words are required anyway. I guess the newspapers'd get upset otherwise.