Tue 09 Sep 2007Careless talk at a priceMind Moves:'Loose talk can cost lives." "Button
your lip." "Keep it under your hat." So enjoined second World War
posters at a time when careless talk did indeed have the capacity
to cost the lives of thousands.Those working in "intelligence", in the "underground" or
"resistance" relied on the silence of others for their safety. To
speak was to expose another to the possibility of the unspeakable.
People were conscious of the negative power of rumour. They were
careful about what they said. To be careless cost lives.