CYA Tactics

I recently read a post on this forum where a user (an associate consultant) enquired about the correct course of action to take when a consulting project is going south. Undoubtably an uncomfortable position for an associate to be in, especially when a senior manager's word is most likely to trump yours. The majority of the replies that the user received encouraged him/ her to immediately begin the the CYA (cover your ass) process. This would entail multiple emails to stakeholders on the project highlighting causes for concern. I understand how this behaviour has come about, but I find myself not agreeing with what behaviour has produced in the consulting world. In my experience (granted I'm still relatively green), for some people, the CYA game has become a consuming routine. In my opinion, many consulting projects aim slightly above the mark that consultants believe they can achieve. With this in mind, projects at the early stages look like they are in jeopardy much of the time. What is required here is not defeatist pointing of fingers but tenacity. Are CYA tactics an important tool or are they creating a culture of cynicism?