sub logit($$$) {
    my ($type, $severity, $msg) = @_ ;
    my $facility = "local0.info";

    if ( !defined($type) or !defined($severity) or !defined($msg) ) {
	$type     ||= "undefined";
	$severity ||= "undefined";
	$msg      ||= "undefined";

	print STDERR " In order to use the logit subroutine the caller must provide\n";
	print STDERR " three arguments: type, severity, and the message!!!\n";
	print "(type: $type | severity: $severity | msg: $msg)\n\n";
	print LOG &timestamp . ": Exited!  Error in $plProgName - caller did not properly\n";
	print LOG &timestamp . ": call subroutine \&logit!\n";
	print LOG &timestamp . ": (type: $type | severity: $severity | msg: $msg)\n";
	exit(1);
    }