Rumors

Abraham Lincoln was murdered by John Wilkes Booth in 1865. He was buried in his hometown, Springfield, Illinois.

Believe it or not, his body was exhumed twice, both twenty-two years and thirty-six years after his death. Why in the world was his coffin pried open? For the same reason both times; rumors were spreading that Mr. Lincoln was not in the casket.

Rumors are powerful things. Lacking authoritative facts, rumors implant unrest and doubt in people's minds.

Those who feed rumor mills are busybodies. They find satisfaction in trafficking in suspicious information. They major in phrases like, "They say", "Have you heard?" and, "I understand."

Here is how to silence rumor mongers. Ask for sources. Ask if you can quote them on what they are saying. Tell them you don't want to hear about it. That will shut them up every time.