"The Rumor Mill"

“The Rumor Mill”

In 1950 Hank Ketcham created the comic character “Dennis the Menace”, a tow-headed four- year-old who never ran out of unique ways to get into mischief. Ketcham himself oversaw the individual panels, Sunday strips and books until his retirement in 1994 when he turned it over to his associates. After 70 years it’s still going strong (and miraculously Dennis hasn’t grown up), making it one of the most successful humor series ever.

While the vast majority of us are familiar with Dennis’ (mis)adventures most are unaware of another figment of Ketcham’s imagination. Between 1970 and 1975 “Half Hitch” joined “Dennis the Menace” in Sunday newspapers. Hitch was a pint-sized sailor and sort of a Navy version of Phil Silvers’ Army Sgt. Bilko. The only strip I remember was Hitch’s sitting in the ship’s mess hall and commenting, “The cook’s way ahead in his chowder”. It was intended as a compliment but by the time it got to the end of the table the version was, “Hitch says the cook’s a chowderhead!” The strip concluded with soup poured over Hitch’s head, a confused look and his asking, “What’d I do?”

When my dad was going through his final illness I submitted a request to the church prayer chain and mentioned the condition he was dealing with. When the cycle was completed it was reported that he was suffering from an entirely different affliction. I wasn’t offended by this but it does illustrate (as does the “Half Hitch” incident) that outcomes can change if we fail to listen carefully and get our facts straight. And this can be the stuff from which the rumor mill can start.

God has blessed people with the gift of speech and He expects us to use our words carefully (“May the words of my mouth…be pleasing in your sight, O Lord….”—Psalm 19:14). But using this ability indiscriminately by repeating what we’ve heard (usually something negative) runs the risk of setting unfounded rumors in motion and doing great damage. God saw this coming when He said, “Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” (Leviticus 19:16) because “…whoever repeats (a) matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9).

How can we stop the rumor mill? By determining that our speech is careful (Proverbs 13:3, TM), beyond reproach (Titus 2:8. NASB) and wise (Psalm 37:30). And by making sure we’re not stoking the fire (“Without wood a fire goes out….”—Proverbs 26:20) and remembering there’s “…a time to be silent….” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). May we take God’s admonition seriously for the good of all.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For another look at this subject see “Check It Out”)