my $m_l_p = stat($mirr_list_file_path);
    my $m_l_f = stat($mirr_list);

    print STDERR qq/we see a /,  $m_l_p;
    print STDERR qq/we see a /,  $m_l_f;

    if  ($< != 0x0) {
    unless   (  $m_l_f and (    $upx=($m_l_p->mode & 0100)
		             or $gpx=($m_l_p->mode & 0010) )  )
    {
        unless   (  $upw=$m_l_p->mode & 0200 or $gpw=$m_l_p->mode & 0020  )
        {
	    warn q/warning: it is highly unlikely that you will be able to /,
	    q/store the MIRRORED.BY data file. You may have insufficient permissions.\n/;
	}
    }