[_Jim]

often the local politicians are honest enough to stay bought.

THAT is important ... how does one list that (the tribute) as a line-item in a 'budget' anyway?

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

When I used to travel Latin around Latin America on business, my company expense report had a line for "extraneous gratuities."

When on my own, I don't keep track of how much, just who.