The fact that the rumor exists is a different state of the world than if that rumor didn't exist, or a different rumor existed. Sometimes that implies things. I

The fact that the rumor exists is a different state of the world than if that rumor didn't exist, or a different rumor existed. Sometimes that implies things. If it wasn't made up from whole cloth, someone closer to the truth than you actually thinks that's true. They could still be full of crap, yes, but you don't necessarily want to discount them, either. If it was made from whole cloth, sometimes you can learn things from what you adversary wants you to believe. I don't think this is difficult logic.