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The Thin Veneer of Civilization

Wednesday, October 16, 2002

• TITLE: "The Thin Veneer of Civilization" From Merriam-Webster's Unabridged:

  Veneer
  1 a : a thin sheet of wood cut or sawed from a log and adapted for adherence to a smooth surface (as of wood) [cut the log into veneers]: as (1) : a layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain for overlaying an inferior wood (as in cabinetmaking) usually by gluing (2) : any one of the thin layers that are glued or otherwise bonded together to form plywood
  b : material (as sheets of wood) for veneering ; sometimes : thin highly glazed colored paperboard for such use

  2 : something felt to resemble or functioning in the manner of a veneer of wood especially in forming a superficial layer: as a : a superficial or meretricious show : GLOSS b : a protective or ornamental facing (as of brick or stone) for a wall c (1) : a thin but extensive covering of an older geological formation or surface [a veneer of till] (2) : a weathered or otherwise altered surficial part of a rock

• "... Fall Subscription Drive ..." Here's the link to the page which describes the Fall Subscription Drive!.

• "... tactical exercise ..." Indeed the MD of S&P got gas for her car just last night. There was one other person at the pumps. He had pulled to the far side of the inside pumps. We were on the near side of the same pumps. He was a man in what appeared to be his twenties. He was wearing soft-ball (or, at this time of year flag-football) clothes including a baseball cap backwards.

  He sat in his SUV until the tank was full. Opened the door. Replaced the pump and the gas cap and drove off. Quickly.

  Here's how to know whether something is a strategy or a tactic:

  A Strategy answers the question: What do we want to do?
  A Tactic answers the question: How are we going to do it?
  By the way, a Vision answers the question: Why are we doing this?

• Mullfoto of the day:

  This is the sign at exit to the parking lot at the Martha's Vineyard airport.

  Part of the charm of "The Vineyard" is the utter lack of dependence upon - or regard for - modern tools. Like spell checkers.
  
  
  
  
  
  British World War II Poster

  
  

•     Mullings' Catchy Caption of the Day:
  

  
  Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) looks on happily as Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) takes a few moments to sing the famous aria, Perche m'hai fatto segno; Voi lo sapete* from "Cavalleria Rusticana" by Mascagni.

  ( AP Photo/Ken Lambert )
  * "Why did you signal me to be quiet?" ____________________________________________________________________________________