I know that it seems like a squishy standard, but a "reasonable time period" is a justifiable criteria. Some jurisdictions did put a specific time limit on it (Many states had a 60 minute cut off), others allowed a court to determine what was "reasonable." Even a hard nose "law & order" judge would have found it difficult to interpret silence as a waiver when the suspect sits throughout a three out detention in a complete absence of communication.

As far as the "I don't need the education," you apparently do. The police misconduct you described was curtailed (although I admit not eliminated) by people being given such rights as Miranda covers and other judicial doctrines. These abuses were stopped by the court giving bright line rules for the police to follow and harsh consequences if they were violated. History has shown that when police are not constrained by hard and fast rules there will be abuses. If anything, you should be against this ruling too.