RE: Rumor Control

["Lucy Zoe" <lucyzoe@moscow.com>]

Title: Message

Joan wrote:

 

 *snip*  But that isn't, of course, what Bill said.  He asked a question about the truthfulness of an unpleasant story that's been making the rounds.  He's an experienced reporter, so I assume he's familiar with the libel laws.   *snip*

 

        Joan...are you serious? Please tell me you're kidding. You previously wrote:

     

*snip* You misjudge me, Lucy.  If there's no foundation to this rumor, then I will be very sympathetic.  It's a nasty story, but it's also one I've heard before.  A variation on it was circulating last spring.  I would be exceedingly happy if it could be retired with certainty.  If untrue, it's very unfair to Bucer's; if true, it's disturbing to people like me.  *snip* 

It sounds to me like the merchant is guilty until proven innocent. That is what you said. If...then.

So you're not sympathetic until the rumor is disproved. You repeat, if untrue...then unfair.

Again, guilty until proven otherwise. By the way, have you done anything to verify or disprove it

since last spring? Does that mean the merchant is still guilty?  If Mr. London is an experienced reporter,

than I suggest that his motives are *highly* suspect. He knows the power of a rumor. And, to add

insult to injury, he's advocated the "good of the list" to many of us. You're just one person Joan.

How many others on this list share your view of guilty until proven innocent?

 

I don't think I misjudged you at all, and I don't think I misjudged Mr. London's intentions

either. Guilty until proven innocent is a clear statement.  There isn't an interest in equitableness.

What's alarming is the thought that any merchant in Moscow may be singled out.  Rumors effect 

the livelihood of Moscow merchants, their families, and the people on their payroll. Having been

the target of mistruth to my company via Vision2020, I'm very concerned by what you're calling

a question about an unpleasant story.

 

Are the feet webbed? Does it quack?

Lucy Zoe