Re: Rumor Control

["Joan Opyr" <auntiestablishment@hotmail.com>]

Tex writes:

"Ok.. this is where I draw the line.. do NOT disrespect the Drudge Report!
If you _had_ ever read the Drudge Report, you would know that it is simply
a compilation of links to stories on other "reputable" web sites.  Don't
reveal your own ignorance by haphazardly tossing out references to things
you obviously know nothing about.  If you want to read news as it comes
off the wire, and hear in advance what every spin doctor on the evening
news will be reporting as if he scooped it himself, visit
http://www.drudgereport.com  Links to the AP news wires can be found in
the left-hand column."

 

Check the hem of your own skirt, Tex; your slip is showing.  In 1997, Drudge ran a story claiming that Clinton aide Sidney Blumenthal beat his wife.  He later had to apologize and retract the story, but Blumenthal brought a 30 million dollar libel suit against him anyway.  That eventually petered out--after all, Drudge had already apologized and retracted--but in the meantime, the judge in the case ruled that Drudge was not a "reporter, news gatherer or journalist."  Drudge himself has only claimed 80% accuracy for the news available on his site.  What does that make the other 20%?

 

The reason this is relevant to the discussion at hand is because rumor is damaging and destructive, both to the subject of the rumor and to its purveyor.  I don't give a monkey's butt about Matt Drudge; I do care about Moscow.  I have prejudged nothing in the Bucer's case, but I am perfectly willing to acknowledge that having heard that story, I was disturbed by it.  I don't want to believe gossip.  I don't want to believe tales told out of school.  But a story doesn't need to be true to sow the seeds of doubt.  That's how rumor works; it doesn't need even 80% accuracy to cause real harm.

 

Let's lance this boil and get on with it.  Fair or not (and I'd be willing to concede not), the only solution at this point is to issue a flat denial and a statement declaring that all are welcome.       

Joan/Auntie E

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