This may not resonate with many, but the story as I remember it was that the Jews of Israel were being seriously oppressed during the time of reign of the utterly insane Caligula. So while they thought there was little hope of amelioration they sent one of their wisest rabbis to plead with the dictator.
He did.
Caligula agreed and ordered relief measures.

The rabbis back in Israel were flabbergasted as they expected him to be a sacrifice, so they asked him how he had done it.
The Rabbi noted that everyone knew Caligula was raving mad so the Rabbi just treated him as though he were sane.
.......................................................
See any parallel to today and how the government and media is acting? 

Interesting mirror going on?