Can Open Communication Replace Rumor?

Plunker once quoted Winston Churchill to the effect that, "There is nothing more difficult than to have someone call you a son-of-a-bitch in private and be forced to defend against the charge in public."

My experience in seeking unity to oppose the group use regulations has done much to convince me that well-intentioned, factually inaccurate wingnut propaganda can have a confusing effect on honest and intelligent people.