The title of this piece is an old business saying. The idea is that you might have the world's highest-tech and best product, and infinite money behind you, but all could be lost if you don't get the right people to market it and service it.

With institutions, it comes down to people, as well. What older institution can there be than the Law? Yet, once people are involved, the practicalities and results change with the ages. Depending on what year you consider, segregation was either good or bad. Ditto for slavery and abortion.

As far as our recent impeachment experience, the senate trial represented nothing less than jury nullification. This sardonic term was coined after the OJ Simpson trial. Not one in a million believed that Simpson did not commit the murders, but the not guilty verdict was based on other issues--perceived racism, and "getting back at the white power structure."

With Clinton, few senators, certainly far fewer than would have blocked conviction, believed that he did not commit perjury or obstruct justice. Yet, the not guilty verdict reflected the fact that despite this, they did not want him removed from office. Thus, the constitutional provisions were followed to the letter--except for the intended result!

If you think about it, jury nullification represents the ultimate "disconnect." Disconnect is one of those 90's terms that pundits use to explain our bizarre times. A disconnect is sort of a real live non sequitur. Given that the jury usually represents the final arbiter of imposing society's rules, destroying this process is about as bad as it can get.

These days we have available phone, fax, e-mail, pagers, and voice mail means of communications. Thus, communicating should be very easy. WRONG!! Actually making contact with someone is much more difficult these days than ever before.

How about this one: Most folks have hundreds of cable channels, in addition to regular TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. We should all be very well-informed, right? Sorry, but these days, while we are all quite opinionated, and have high self-esteem, survey after survey shows that our command of usable facts is lower than ever.

The Super Bowl is one of the world's biggest athletic events, and the participants are among the highest paid performers in sports. Yet, the 1999 Super Bowl had the second lowest TV ratings in the history of the event. What's more, just like 1998's version, one of the teams came out absolutely flat.

What is happening here?

For one thing--abandonment of standards. After all, standards are far too "judgmental." Of course, for the Left to cry racism, sexism or homophobia at the drop of a hat apparently is not judgmental, and moreover, has been a prime cause of the abandonment of standards.

How ironic that complaints against the police, for example, are at an all-time high despite a more "diverse" personnel make-up and lowering of standards to accomplish this.

Perhaps there is a place for standards. Who knows? Being judgmental might improve our lot.

Of course, it still comes down to the people.