Have the SSPX ever attended a negotiations seminar?
Even if they haven't, common sense tells you, you don't lay your cards all out on the table and then try to negotiate!
If the Society were buying a car, here's how their negotiations would go:
"Here you go kind used car dealer. I have thoroughly examined my finances, scraped together all the money I have, and the absolute maximum I can afford is $20,000 for your car. HOWEVER, I would very much desire to buy your car at $17,000 $15,000 or even $12,000."
Used car dealer will do one of three things:
1.) Try to get the Society to pay more than $20k, even though they've said that's all they can afford.
2.) Sell the car to them for $20,000.
3.) Tell them no deal.
SO, the Society has just taken the most important negotiation of our time with souls in the balance and played their hand like a 5 year old. The MOST they will possibly get now is their list of essential conditions.
I can't believe that protection from the rabid local bishops was one of their OPTIONAL conditions! Are they insane!!??
Sigh...