Rumors, Speculation and Fact

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Ken O’Brien


In writing this blog I have been careful todistinguish between rumor, speculation and fact.
One of my blog colleagues is now accusing me ofperpetuating a rumor.
As it was put,“If we have enough credible evidence to put peopleon leave, let's get it over with, tell the people what happened (and treat usall like grown-ups and tell us the truth), and move on. That would put oneconspiracy theory in the local blogosphere to rest...that being, that theprincipal was put on leave for a pocket knife incident. Nothing could befurther from the full truth (although, I'm sure that didn't help). ApparentlyI'm guilty of being a psychic.” 
Now, as I read this, I am being accused of spreadingthe rumor that “the principal was put on leave for a pocket knife incident.” Itis merely a rumor because, “Nothing could be further from the full truth….”
How that is a conspiracy theory is not clear.
Nevertheless I will state categorically that thewritten notice given to Ms. Perreault cited her handling of this incident asthe sole reason for which she was being put on administrative leave. I am notpostulating this as rumor, speculation or a partial truth. I am stating it as afact.
If there is the intimation of a conspiracy I presumeit would be in saying that the blogger who reported that her suspension wouldbe forthcoming knew in advance what the reason would be (that would be one hellof a conspiracy).
I did not say that nor am I saying it now.
All that I have said was that the certainty ofknowing that she would be put on leave indicated that a decision had been made.Clearly the blogger in question was told that this decision had been madebefore the event cited as the reason for it had occurred. It now appears thatacting on that decision was only awaiting a defensible cause for that action.Any other reasons, real or imagined, were not given as cause for the action.
If one wants to interpret that as a conspiracy, sobe it.
We are told that one only had to overhear theconversations at the local donut shop to know that this was going to happen andwhy. Well, that is rumor andspeculation. (It also belies the observation in his originalarticle where he said, “Tomorrow, or early next week, you will hear some rathershocking news that few people I'vespoken with saw coming.”)
When it comes to labor law in these cases one mustrely upon something slightly more substantial than donut shop gossip. I am inno position to judge the validity of the charge leveled in the letter given tothe principal by the temporary acting superintendent. I can merely state, as afact, that this was the only reason given and further action will beadjudicated on the basis of that charge.
This is what I have reported, and I stand by it.