"To those who don't want the truth about Kennedy's assassination to become known, the very repetition of a charge lends it a certain credibility, since people have a tendency to believe that where there's smoke, there's fire"

Jim Garrison’s observation scrutinizes the psychology underpinning public perceptions of major events, particularly those shrouded in controversy or conspiracy, such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The statement suggests an awareness that the repeated circulation of rumors or accusations, regardless of their veracity, can begin to shape popular belief. Human cognition is readily influenced by patterns and frequency; repetition breeds familiarity and, by extension, a form of trust. This is rooted in the cognitive bias often encapsulated by the saying, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” a phrase capturing the notion that the mere presence of persistent allegations implies substance.

Garrison draws attention to the tactical use of this bias by individuals or institutions invested in suppressing certain facts. By allowing, or even subtly encouraging, the proliferation of ambiguous or misleading claims, those opposed to transparency can muddy the waters. The more such charges circulate, the harder it becomes for the public to distinguish demonstrable truths from fabrication. As a consequence, the truth itself becomes diluted amidst the noise, breeding confusion, skepticism, or even apathy among observers.

The statement also implicates the mechanisms of media and social discourse. News outlets, rumors, and speculative commentary often repeat the same claims, not necessarily to inform, but to perpetuate a narrative, sometimes as a diversion from more substantive revelation. This process can serve as both a smokescreen and a legitimizing force, as the continual echo of uncorroborated “charges” can simulate a consensus of suspicion. The public, in seeing accusations repeated without obvious refutation, might conclude there must be merit, even if evidence remains absent.

Ultimately, Garrison’s insight is a caution about the malleability of collective belief, and the ease with which those in power or control of information can manipulate perception. He warns that truth can be obscured not just by outright lies, but by the weaponization of repetition and human inclination to find fire wherever there is smoke.