Thought this deserved a separate thread. It's now official: The "Why the power will fail in 2000" thread was a hoax. The guy who wrote it spills the beans:

http://www.wwjd.net/smpoole/fixed.html

(Look for the section entitled "An Experiment in Journalism")

-- Mike Coulter (uptown@compuserve.com), July 05, 1999

*********************************************************************

Who would brag about such a lie and feel like they were doing a service? A disrespectful, untrustworthy, and fraudulent man by the Name of "Stephn M. (Cess Poole) Pool". It is a very small mind indeed that refers to a bald faced lie as "journalism".

"All the news that fits to print" (right steve-o?)

-- Jack Gordon (TrnityTest@aol.com), July 05, 1999

Answers

From Stephen M. Poole and his site verbatim:

I stated last time that Y2K was the first real test of the Web as an means of distributing information, and that it had failed that test miserably. To further prove my contention, let's examine a HOAX that nonetheless made it to quite a few sites before being nipped in the bud.

This post appeared in The Timebomb 2000 forum (click the link for the complete message; I've quoted the pertinent parts here):

I work for an electrical utility. (I won't say where because you'd figure out who it is.) If our company is indication, the lights ARE going out next January at the crack of midnight.

We don't have time to test every piece of equipment. What we're doing is TYPE CHECKING, which is just a fancy of way of saying SPOT CHECKING. Just the other day I looked at a Phillips VRZ262-Q7 unit that monitors the current in four 05388 sub assemblies. I wanted to check everything but my supervisor said, "NO just check one assembly." We ASSUME that the other three will be OK. We're doing the same thing with our Siemens System 3 SCADA; we're only looking at some of the RTUs. They've declared the DPS system to be "non-mission-critical" so we're not even checking it!

Now, to the credit of the people in the TB2000 forum, most eventually decided that this was a hoax. (It was both instructive and amusing to see those who accepted it at face value, particularly at first, though.)

The dead giveaway, of course, is the "Phillips[sic] VRZ262-Q7" unit, which is the model of a popular Philips VCR unit. The "Q7" appended to the end is a salute to Roleigh "Gump" Martin, who didn't even know enough about electronics to question a complete fabrication released about "non- compliant Q7 transistors" last year.

"05388" is the first 5 digits of the UPC code from a bottle of Spring Valley(tm) valerian root.

When it came to the "Siemens(tm) System 3," a little more thought was required. Siemens manufactures all sorts of control equipment, of course, including the Siemens SINAUT(tm) SCADA, for which the current software revision is 3.xx.

How do I know all this? Am I psychic?

No, I am the author of this piece of fiction. I wrote it as a test and to prove a point.

Had I been willing to make this more realistic (fortunately, I have a conscience), there is no doubt that this would have enjoyed much, much wider distribution.

As it was, it managed to make the rounds, sure enough. It was soon posted in Rick Cowles' EUY2K forum for his "expert" comment; Cowles deleted it after requesting email confirmation from the author.

It also enjoyed a brief appearance on Gary North's site under the link http://www.garynorth.com/y2k/detail_.cfm/5230; it was soon deleted (probably because Cowles clued him in on the hoax). But Bro'man's comments were amusing while they lasted; he worked around the inaccuracies in the report by musing that perhaps the author was "not a technical person," but in "management." Therefore, such errors were to be expected and overlooked.

And here's proof that Paul Milne deserves to be the Ringmaster of the Circus: he posted it under the heading "You Can Forget About Electricity" in comp.software.year-2000

I could very easily have cleaned the errors out of this -- correctly identifying the Siemens SINAUT stuff, leaving out the VCR joke -- and it would have circulated all over the Web. You know it and I know it.

And of course, here's the point.

I'm anything but a utilities expert. But by visiting a few Web sites and spending about an hour familiarizing myself with the subject, I was able to learn enough of the lingo to have easily fooled those who are experts, had I wanted to.

So ... this begs the question: how many of those "insider exposes" that you see on the Web are actually complete hoaxes written by bored trolls and teenagers?"

I would suggest that you, Dear Reader, ponder this carefully. Revisit the challenges issued by people like Mitch Ratcliffe and Michael Theroux.

These guys have all but begged those insiders who know the score to contact them with the goods (they'll protect your identity) ... and thus far, these challenges have been accepted by NO ONE. I think the point here is obvious, so let's move on.

***********

Pollyannas are insidious scum. Most are trolls, like Poole. Beware of them. They will get you killed.

-- OutingsRus (wec@anplay.too), July 05, 1999.

Those who look for the lessons in life from even the unlikeliest of sources, when freed from the veil of emotions, finds ever-increasing wisdom virtually thrust upon them.

For those who find comfort in the denigration of others, Mr. Poole has earned the title "Cess Poole". Yet he teaches each of us if we are open to it.

Thank you Mr. Poole. Though I disagree thoroughly with most of your opinions as offered on your web site, here you have contributed to the enlightenment of at least a few & the reinforcement in some others with regards for the necessity of a healthy dose of skepticism when using anonymous internet forum postings as a source of information.

Best Wishes,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), July 05, 1999.

I don't know, Bingo, last I heard honesty is the best policy. You might want to be careful which role models you choose.

-- Jack Gordon (TrnityTest@aol.com), July 05, 1999.

I wonder what Mr. Poole will do if his statements would come true?

Bingo....I'd like to thank him---in person! I do not willingly accept anyone lying to me for any reason.

-- Lobo (atthelair@yahoo.com), July 05, 1999.

I wonder what Mr. Poole will do if his statements would come true?

Bingo....I'd like to thank him---in person! I do not willingly accept anyone lying to me for any reason. You must have a far kinder heart than I.

-- Lobo (atthelair@yahoo.com), July 05, 1999.

"complete hoaxes written by bored trolls and teenagers" said Poole.

Thank you Poole, you just described yourself better than I could have.

-- none (none@none.none), July 05, 1999.

When Y2K hits, there will occur a period when people take advantage of the chaos to "settle old scores". Mr. Poole had better be hiding under a very large rock during that period.

-- Poole will be thanked all right (@ .), July 05, 1999.

{snip}

"Had I been willing to make this more realistic (fortunately, I have a conscience), there is no doubt that this would have enjoyed much, much wider distribution."

{end snip}

Read that: If I had been any more of an asshole then it would have been all that much funnier.

Stephen a teacher? I don't think so. If I wanted a lesson in deception I would have interviewed O.J. Simpson.

(No offense to the poster here who goes by that handle =o)

-- (just@silently.lurking at times), July 05, 1999.

I have forwarded your posting and website location to the appropriate authorities at DOE and NSA. They are taking quite a dim view on people inciting panic these days particularly with respect to grid integrity.

Enjoy your time in Leavenworth, asshole.

-- Mike Janston (mikej@dia.com), July 05, 1999.

I find it very curious that Cess Poole has a web address that includes WWJD, which in some circles, is shorthand for "What Would Jesus Do?"

Is this a religious site? What does "WWJD" stand for, besides the meaning above?

-- hemakes (me@sick.com), July 05, 1999.

From Mr. Poole's website:

Hello, I'm Stephen Poole. In belief, I'm a Christian... As a Christian, I especially wanted to address the Doom and Gloom amongst my fellow Believers. This is both puzzling and disturbing to me, because if anyone should understand the concept of total dependence on God, we should!

Mr. Poole, CET, is a HYPOCRITE!!! He calls himself a "Christian," but he gleefully breaks the ninth commandment.

EXODUS 20:16 "You shall not bear FALSE witness..."

DEUTERONOMY 5:20 "You shall not bear FALSE witness..."

EXODUS 23:1 "You shall not circulate a FALSE REPORT...."

PROVERBS 6:16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A FALSE WITNESS WHO SPEAKS LIES, And one who sows discord among brethren.

PROVERBS 14:5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a FALSE WITNESS will utter LIES.

ROMANS 13:9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Poole wants us to think that he has lied to us for our own good, because he's trying to HELP us. But the God Poole claims to worship says that what he did is a SIN! Is Poole doing evil that good may come of it? If so, his condemnation is deserved (Rom. 3:8).

Mr. Poole, if you wish to have any credibility as a "Christian," then you should apologize to ALL who have been affected by your intentional LIE. If you won't or can't do that, then I suggest you read the following Scriptures closely.

PROVERBS 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.

PROVERBS 19:9 A FALSE WITNESS will not go unpunished, and he who speaks LIES shall perish.

PROVERBS 21:28 A FALSE WITNESS will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.

Your choice...

-- Nabi Davidson (nabi7@yahoo.com), July 05, 1999.

"Why The Power Will Fail in 2000"

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0010xS

I see anonymous "insider" information like this from time to time on this forum. Sometimes it rings true and sometimes it doesn't. It makes you wonder how many of these insider testimonies are plants by "optimists" wanting to test our reaction.

If the goal is to prevent panic, phony posts like "Why The Power Will Fail In 2000" are not the way to do it. Besides, there are enough sobering government reports on Y2K in general out there for a person to realize that setting aside some extra water and food is prudent. I would be doing personal contingency planning regardless of whether I heard stories like this or not.

-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), July 05, 1999.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

A little more self control may be necessary for all of us.

-- (1@2.com), July 05, 1999.

there are at least 2 lessons here. 1.) deception ain't too cool. 2.) don't be so quick to gravitate to "facts" just because they fit your preconceived notions.

class dismissed.

.

-- corrine l (corrine@iwaynet.net), July 05, 1999.

And now you all are foaming at the mouth for the simple fact that each and every single one of you little marks fell for it. You all claimed that this PROVED that electricity will no longer work.

Its a riot to now hear you all try to back peddle your way out of those endorsements you gave and proves simply that people such as Gary North will take anything that sounds good to them without the slightest bit of verification.

If the standard was that whatever is written is the truth, then I would definately want to know what school you attended to learn that. Cause I want to go there for the simple reason that school must be easy.

Teacher asks, "Who discovered America? My answer "Art Bell" Teacher says, "You are correct."

So continue to believe all the Im a insider and I have the scoop for you posts because you all took it hook, line, and sinker.

-- HaHaHaHaHaHaHa (zombies@werefooled.com), July 05, 1999.

And it looks like he proved that the majority of regulars accept and suck up any negitive scenerio posts, yet fight any posts that may show Y2K to be a bump in the road. Cory's rantings, Bruce Beach, When to kill your neighbor and other such posts are the norm, yet you think the government will go after Poole for what he wrote? Just who are the real Y2K fear mongers? Who have something to gain, even if it is only ego-wise from predicting the worse? Who's minds are so convinced there will be caos and closed to any suggestion of being wrong that their minds may just break when their worse fears do not materialize? The regulars here do are not searching for the truth, they want to only be surrounded by others who re-inforce their own beliefs. Kinda like drunks who surround themselfs with other drunks in some form of justification for being a drunk.

-- Cherri (sams@brigadoon.com), July 05, 1999.

Well, Mr. Poole, now that I know it was you who wrote "Why the power will fail in 2000," I thought I would take a look at your web site.

On your web page you said, "Hello, I'm Stephen Poole. In belief, I'm a Christian; in politics, I am conservative... My profession is that of certified electronics tech (CET), programmer and broadcast engineer; I've been doing it for more than 25 years now.

On the "fake" thread, you said, "I have been warned by management that if I go public or say anything negative it's my CAREER. They'll destroy me. I work for an electrical utility. (I won't say where because you'd figure out who it is.) I've been in the business for 30 years and I'm too old to change careers."

On your web page, you said, "As a Christian, I especially wanted to address the Doom and Gloom amongst my fellow Believers. This is both puzzling and disturbing to me, because if anyone should understand the concept of total dependence on God, we should!"

Just what is it you depend on God for, Mr. Poole? Maybe you think this was a "cute" stunt? One of the "hallmarks" of your web page is your address: WWJD? Well, what WOULD Jesus do, Mr. Poole? Lie and then call it an experiment?

I am truly disappointed in you. In my opinion, you have done a great disservice to the rest of the Christians on this forum. You have added ridicule to the term "Christ-like." It was NOT funny.

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), July 06, 1999.

Steve

You have proved 2 things.

People are REALLY worried

And

They can never Trust You

Pride before a fall.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), July 06, 1999.

At Stephen Poole's Y2K Page, in talking about the lies he intentionally told here and elsewhere, Mr. Poole states that he did it as a test. He now seems to suggest that the reception that his post received has somehow proven his contention that the "web fails miserably as a means of disseminating information." Specifically, he states that "most [people at TB2000] eventually [emphasis mine] decided that this was a hoax. (It was both instructive and amusing to see those who accepted it at face value, particularly at first, though.)"

A careful reading of the thread itself shows quite the opposite. There was an immediate single post from someone who thanked "Worried Utility Worker" for his report, without drawing any conclusions one way or another about its veracity, and without projecting his report to other power plants or likely failures. In any case, that reader was mainly taking the opportunity to demonstrate how they were already prepared in case of power outages.

The second and third reactions both hinted that the report may or may not be true. This would be a quite nervy thing to say if those readers believed that it were likely a genuine report. Someone may have just unburdened, possibly risking employment. Obviously these two posters did not think so. "This is too lacking and general to be considered genuine info."

The very next post was not at all charitable. They had already detected that the model number detail in Mr. Poole's hoax referred to a VCR. With one notable exception, the remaining posters all qualified their comments with such phrases as "if your report is true," complained about anonymous insider reporting being frustrating to evaluate, or out and out declared their assessment that this "report" had been posted by a troll.

There was one single poster who did seem to buy the whole shebang hook, line, and sinker, and went on and on about how it jived with everything else they were seeing and parallels in the oil industry. Ironically, this poster self identified as having "expertise as a former news reporter." Not being entirely familiar with the handles of the regulars on TB2000, I now have to wonder if that post was genuine or just a last ditch attempt to point us down the primrose path, since it was posted after the debunking was well underway. I couldn't help but notice that this "news reporter" misspelled "you're report." No crime, of course, but it is a bit hard to swallow.

So, then, far from proving Poole's contention that "that the web fails miserably as a means of disseminating information," in this case "the web" performed admirably. Similarly, at Cowles site, where someone re-posted the information seeking a critique of it, it was immediately removed as being an obvious fraud.

Yet, there are several posters on this thread (just above) who read the same sequence of events and conclude the opposite: Anonymous: "every single one of you little marks fell for it. You all claimed that this PROVED that electricity will no longer work." Cherri: "the majority of regulars accept and suck up any negitive scenerio posts, yet fight any posts that may show Y2K to be a bump in the road" Corine1: "don't be so quick to gravitate to "facts" just because they fit your preconceived notions"

People who are in the habit of getting their information from the web are generally highly experienced skeptics. We don't believe everything we read; least of all when it comes from PR departments of companies which stand to lose a lot of money if they're found to have been negligent in Y2K remediation. It is not true that this episode is an object lesson in gullibility. Hardly anyone was deceived.

Y2K, ` la Carte by minddancr@aol.com), July 06, 1999.

After reading all the TOS statements kindly reproduced by a fellow outer, it seems apparent that the ISP used by Poopsie merits a letter of complaint from the sysops.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), July 06, 1999.

Anyone can call themselves a Christian. We are given ways to inspect the "fruit" of each one. Obviously, S. Poole has a different agenda than Christ did. He appears more like a Right-winged, legalistic, fundamentalist than a Christian. (not that I'm into labels). lol!

-- LindaO (Lovedoesntlie@hotmail.com), July 06, 1999.

FWIW -- Poole's bogus report seemed bogus to me the first time I read it, simply because it was so short.

Seriously worried people tend to go on & on & on, paragraph after paragraph. But this guy was short & sweet, like someone in a big hurry to see what people's reaction would be.

Just my very non-techie, gut reaction.

-- just (tossing@this.in), July 06, 1999.

"Hello, I'm Stephen Poole. In belief, I'm a Christian... As a Christian, I especially wanted to address the Doom and Gloom amongst my fellow Believers. This is both puzzling and disturbing to me, because if anyone should understand the concept of total dependence on God, we should!"

I didn't see anyone take on this aspect, so I would like to, as I found this idea promoted at a local Y2K town hall meeting that I attended. Why in the world should preparation for a risky situation be seen as denying a faith in God? In no other situation but Y2K have I seen this "meme" that to try to provide for your family is a denial of trust in God. Do those who believe this also depend on God to pay their rent, put food on their table and put clothes on their children - directly I mean. In other words.. if you really believe in total dependence on God, you should quit your job, since working for a living implies that you do not trust Him to provide for you. You certainly should not carry medical, life, home or accident insurance for the same reasons. God will provide... right?

The arguement given by the Reverand who hosted the Y2K Town hall meeting I attended quoted this passage: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear?" (A biblical "don’t worry, be happy").

But I would counter that very few God loving Christians consider this passage an excuse to quit their jobs because God will pay the rent and put food on their table and clothes on their children. The Bible says it twice in Proverbs 22:3 and also 27:12, "The prudent see danger and take refuge; the simple keep going and suffer for it." The churches should be playing a big role in raising awareness and encouraging preparations by their members. Making preparations for Y2K can be a great opportunity for community building, for getting to know your neighbors, and for making sure that the less fortunate are taken care of, but not if everyone takes a "don't worry, be happy" approach up until the last minute.

Of course the flaws in Poole's logic that would have him lying and deceiving his fellow men in order to prove we should all be depending on God's word????? Perhaps there is a glitch in his programming?

And finally.... who is he to say that the Gloom and Doomers HAVEN'T gotten word from above that they should prepare.

It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), July 06, 1999.

Yes, EXAMINE the fruit.

A quotation comes to mind: "What you are speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say." ~ Disraeli.

Or how about this one: ".....hoist by thine own petard."

Thanks for removing any doubt about you, Poole.

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), July 06, 1999.

What Poole did was a "crime." And since he has confessed to it all, he is now an acknowledged criminal. As such, he loses his right to vote in our society. Posting on this web site is a vote. I suggest that he now be barred from any further posts to this site. Any attempt by him to post here should be deleted immediately. As noted so eloquently above, this was no joke. It was the foulest sort of deception created by an immoral and unethical mind. Many, perhaps most, of us here have detected a zealot's behavior on his part before. No More Please!

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), July 06, 1999.

Lighten up some of you....PUHLEASSSSSE.......

If you don't like his experiment, fine. Last time I checked though, there was no law against telling stories on the internet.

The fact is, the 'bad' news was swallowed hook, line and sinker by many of you........mainly because you have become so sold on the idea of Y2K being a 10 that you have left your minds at the door......

The human tendency is to take in as much as possible that supports our position and ignore that which seems to refute it.......often at the expense of critical thinking.

And to all of the 'holier than thou' folks, here's one for you......Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.....(In case I'm being too subtle, that ones for you Nabi).

-- Craig (craig@ccinet.ab.ca), July 06, 1999.

Craig,

You are totally off base on this one. Where is your own sense of morality and ethics? Are you saying anything goes? Are you so conditioned to lies and deceptions that you no longer feel a sense of outrage at it? For you, this was merely an experiment? What sort of value system do you subscribe to, and pursue?

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), July 06, 1999.

Poole has certain assumptions he brings with him when he talks about Y2k. Take a look at the footnotes at the bottom of this page of his.

* As a conservative, in fact, I'm concerned that Y2K may be used as a back-door way to increase government interference in business. Let's say I'm the manager of a small bank and feel that I can ignore Y2K; I'll just hire a couple of extra people and deal with it the old fashioned way. There is a very real question now of whether the radical Y2K'ers will even let me do that!

Have you not noticed that some 60's-style radicals are becoming involved in the Y2K thing now ...?

** Howard Ruff is back! That rascal almost talked me into becoming a survivalist during the Carter adminstration. He had me convinced that TEOLAWKI (the end of life as we know it) was at hand. It was my dear mother who beat sense into my head, and of course, his predicted collapse never occurred.

(Yes, you may infer from this one of my motivations for writing about Y2K. I don't want to see anyone make the same mistake.)

-- Moderate (less@spam.get), July 06, 1999.

"......And now you all are foaming at the mouth for the simple fact that each and every single one of you little marks fell for it. You all claimed that this PROVED that electricity will no longer work."

i don't see how you can claim this is the case. Quite frankly when I first read the posting by "worried" I did not believe it for a minite. It did not have the "ring of truth" to it.

While I'm an engineer I know very little about power generation, but this still struck me as bogus.

I then read the replies following that IMMEDIATELY added fuel to my suspisions. Others noticed errors in the post and brought it to the attention of others. No one was fooled for long.

After seeing the references to Gary North's site I went there and read his intro. He make it quite clear that this post was suspect. (you have no idea how offensive I find it defending Gary North).

So I don't think Mr. Poole's "experiment" had quite the success he claims.

I do agree that one needs to be very careful about what "experts" we listen to on both sides of the fence.

What I do think is that he intentionally misquoted Lane Core, QUITE intentionally I believe. This is inexcusable and defintely merits an apology. it is going to be inevetiable that someone somewhere is going to perpetuate this misquote and this is going to be the true legacy of this hoax.

Quite sophomoric and irresponsible.

-- John Beck (eurisko111@aol.com), July 06, 1999.

IMHO all of the eloquently worded posts above have missed the most obvious point. Ignore anonymous posts by "experts." As I recall from this thread the "author" was debunked pretty quickly because the serial numbers of the equipment listed didn't add up to anything.

Anonymous and unverifiable reports are useless. Whether those reports come from a faceless govt/utility/corporate PR flak or an "insider" posting on the net. Gimme a real name. A real stat. All the rest is bunk. Don't let others do your thinking for you. Read the Senate Report, the IEE. Don't get distracted. Keep your focus. You'll need it. The sooner we let this drop the sooner it will be just one more bizarre event in a year too bizarre to predict anything but change.

-- R. (riversoma@aol.com), July 06, 1999.

So ... this begs the question: how many of those "insider exposes" that you see on the Web are actually complete hoaxes written by bored trolls and teenagers?" -- Stephen M. Poole

Uh... Stephen M. Poole?

Fly Pig Awards - Winners So Far!

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 0012l9

And... one more time... Stephen M. Poole!

Why The Power Will Fail In 2000

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 0010xS

'Nuf said.

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), July 06, 1999.

Craig wrote:

And to all of the 'holier than thou' folks, here's one for you...... Let he who is without sin cast the first stone..... (In case I'm being too subtle, that ones for you Nabi).

Craig,

I understand that your peculiar "Christian" beliefs leave you with the impression that sin (lying, in Poole's case) is of no consequence, but I believe God disagrees with you.

I JOHN 2:4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him.

Regarding the "holier than thou" attitude, I did not condemn Mr. Poole, the Scriptures did. I called upon him to repent of his sin. He can choose to do that or he can adopt your attitude. His choice...

Regarding condemning one who calls himself a Christian and yet (by his own admission) sins willfully, the Scripture tells us what to do.

I CORINTHIANS 5:12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person."

If you have a problem, Craig, it's not with me but with God. Why don't you discuss your concerns with Him?

-- Nabi Davidson (nabi7@yahoo.com), July 06, 1999.

This quotation is atributed to Confucius:

"The end of the day is near when small men make long shadows"

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), July 07, 1999.