 Like, say, Abraham Lincoln's PR man telling the president, next time they bug you about Grant's drinking, tell him you're going to find out what Brandy drinks and send a case of it all to your other generals. Trust me, Abe, the PR man reassures a skeptical Lincoln. It's funny. Do it. Or the head of a 16th century British shipping company taking a call from Sir Walter Raleigh in the New World. Tobacco, he asks? Let me get this straight now, Walt. You bought 80 tons of leaves—