Just because something appears that way doesn't make it the way it is.
I walk into a store and declare my intent to steal a candybar. The clerk looks at me and once i leave the store he calls the police I get arrested for theft. But wait, he gave me his "silent" approval for stealing because he didn't say not to. But wait, I'm still arrested and charged with a crime.
Silence doesn't make something right. Silence is a cowards way of not picking a side and choosing whatever benefits them the most.