Re: "the issue has reached the highest levels of government"
When you declare a National Emergency, you do not go and play golf the very next day. The act is not on par with the words.
An honourable tradition. Fiddling while Rome burns. Sometimes used by history's winners:
"With a hey nonny no on Plymouth Hoe, in the merry merry month of May, Turelay!
Pardon me Sir Francis, but I think you ought to know,
the Armada has been sighted while you're bowling on the Hoe."