4:00 PM -- One surprising thing I've learned at Supercomm is that public relations folks sometimes don't tell the whole truth.

I know, it's shocking, isn't it? You'd think they'd all be straight shooters, but some of them just say whatever they think you want to hear.

Here are some howlers I've been told at this year's show:

1) "[Name withheld] is really excited to talk to you."
2) "[Name withheld] is great on camera!" Or, for online news: "[Name withheld] is really engaging and interesting."
3) "Of course, the coffee's fresh at our booth."

Okay, fair's fair. Here are some howlers I've told in return:

1) "I just mailed your T-shirt today. You'll have it in a week."
2) "Oh, no. It's fine. The coffee's fine."
3) "I will definitely come by the booth. I'm on my way right now."

I'll take the first step and stop howling right now. Just as soon as I drop these T-shirts in the mail…

— Phil Harvey, News Editor, Light Reading