One unwritten constant between Earthclan politics and politics of the Civilization of Five Galaxies seemed to be the inverse table rule. The further away from the official negotiating table, the more work actually gets done. Not counting the mulch maligned Jophur, the proverbial smoke filled room was seldom seen nowadays. It was all too complicated trying to mentally keep track of which sept could tolerate what burning materials. Then there were a few septs that for religious reasons made you hold the cigar in one hand while inhaling, but then you had to hold it in a different hand while exhaling. And ever so infrequently, though not a one had ever heard of a long dead human by the name of Groucho Marx, there were some rare septs that _did_ have a better way to smoke it. So smoking was a null factor at almost every multi-clan social function. But the politics ensued nevertheless. Vilyehm --------------- A bit timely as the convention convenes. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
