This analogy seems to fit the discussion. A B17 loses 3 engines deep over Germany and starts losing altitude. The pilot says that at this rate, the plane will have to land in 4 minutes. So the crew goes through and throws out all their guns, ammo, everything not nailed down, and jettisons their bombs. The pilot now says they will keep altitude for 15 minutes. At this point the right waist gunner named "Federalist Society" says "Ha, you have walked back your prediction".
The crew then tosses the right waist gunner.