The good and the god-awful Somewhat to my surprise, many companies referred in their 2001 annual reports to the tragedy of 9/11. Some good, some bad. One that impressed was Sherwin-Williams—for its page containing these words, illustrated with a photo of a spray painter, with assistant, creating a humongous American Flag: "While 2001 proved to be a challenging year for our company and our nation, the men and women of Sherwin-Williams were again at their best. If adversity truly introduces us to ourselves, then you'll like the people you meet at Sherwin-Williams. Their gifts of time, money, items of need, support and prayers following the events of Sept. 11 were particularly inspiring and worthy of America's Paint Company. "Sherwin-Williams employees dispatched countless dust masks, five-gallon pails, respirators, gloves, buckets and other needed supplies to New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon. Yet, these gifts cannot be measured merely in hours, dollars or cartons—but, equally, in terms of thoughts, words and deeds. We are proud of, and thankful to, the many dedicated Sherwin-Williams employees who stood so tall in our country's hour of need." Cover photograph fronting its in-many-ways-wanting report is of an American Flag, draped against a warehouse and cold storage. It's a painting by four artists, "struck by a desire to do something" after last fall's tragedy. Sherwin-Williams provided "paint, brushes and buckets" for painting of the life-like, 7,500-square-foot flag mural in downtown Philadelphia. Inevitably, bad taste rose to the forefront in some reports. Motorola hasn't seen fit to submit its 2001 report to us—perhaps understandably, given the backlash (reported by Associated Press) from New York firefighters. AP reported that the company published photos in its annual of firefighters carrying its two-way radios at scene of the slaughter. But the firefighters, AP reported, are angry because the reality is they had problems with the radios. Said one: "It's an absolute disgrace for Motorola to use New York City firefighters to advertise their company....Their product was proven completely inadequate." The company's response to the criticism, according to AP: "An annual report is not a marketing brochure." Translated: "Oh, golly. We're not trying to take advantage of this terrible tragedy just to sell our products. That never entered our minds." One whose annual report ("Safety for heroes" its theme) capitalized, crassly, on the tragedy was Mine Safety Appliances, whose report unfortunately was sent us. Talk about self-serving: From the cover throughout its 34 pages—well, the reader might have thought MSA single-handedly (along with the U.S. President, who's pictured on the cover) saved the nation. Or, at least, the World Trade Center and environs. "Vital products and training," the CEO wrote, were MSA's contribution to the relief effort, focused on at length. Better left unsaid, if you ask me.

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