Our local newspaper ran a front page article on city police having their leaves cancelled from Dec, 1999 to March, 2000. Also stated that RCMP and military leaves are cancelled for same period. They gave a brief explanation of the problem and stated that no one knows if it will be a major or a minor problem. Maybe we'll see people here start to wake up, Eh? 8-)

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), October 31, 1998

Answers

T the C, I wish our officials on this side of the "world's longest undefended border" would be as forthcoming as yours. Down here, B.S., C.Y.A., and spin doctoring are a way of life for politicos and military leaders. I'm more inclined to follow C. Hamasaki's observation (paraphrased): "When I hear someone in authority say, 'Don't panic,' I immediately look for someone to push over and beat to the exits." --Bill the Yankee

-- bill dunn (bdunn@snet.net), October 31, 1998.

Yes, this side of the border 'calming the masses' seems to be all that matters. The govt is more worried about civil disorder than anything else. SIGH. As usual, they are fighting the last war.

-- Paul Davis (davisp1953@yahoo.com), November 01, 1998.

Arizona Republic 11/1....Y2K experts warning of shortages, unrest as computers log off....(Neal Peirce --Washington Post Writers Group) 25% of one page. Best summery of the problem I have read to date. A very straight forward overview and no pulling punches...tell it like it is! A few of the many many points: Neighborhood emergency shelters..at best isolated equipment failures but wholesale breakdowns could occur..many have never had to face a widespread social crisis. The federal and state governments should quickly appropriate funds and press to make sure schools can provide water, food, cooking facilities and a warmth through winter 2000. The president has to take the lead, telling the nation there's the potential for serious trouble, no one knows how serious, but we need to be prepared for the worst. Without leadership we are open to the prospects of class warfare.

-- ronbanks (phxbanks@webtv.net), November 01, 1998.

Larry King could do five nights in a row on y2k, and most people wouldn't care. The thought of total colapse is so far out, that most dismiss it as BS. I have presented it to family, friends and co- workers, and only two co-workers are doing anything to prepare. It has been covered by Newsweek, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, etc.... No long lines at Safeway today. Most people focus on today, tomorrow and maybe next weekend. We are way ahead of the curve folks.

-- Bill (bill@microsoft.com), November 02, 1998.

Here is a different viewpoint:

http://www.cnnfn.com/digitaljam/newsbytes/120474.html

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), November 02, 1998.

Bill, one of my biggest worries is about what will happen as the day gets closer. If Carson could cause a nationwide toilet paper shortage with a joke, how many bank runs and empty grocery shelves will be caused by everyone deciding to 'pick up a little extra' a month before 1/1/00? Or perhaps the first time a payroll check is late or they hear of a bank that has run out of cash. I expect a '4' on Roberts 'Diane' scale, but I also expect empty grocery shelves and so on for other reasons. As always, we will do it to ourselves.

-- Paul Davis (davisp1953@yahoo.com), November 02, 1998.

Paul,

The potential for panic in late '99 is a compelling reason for stocking up with essentials now. That way you become part of the solution rather than part of the problem should such a panic develop.

This is true even if you expect Y2K to be nothing worse than a bump in the road for the economy.

-- Nigel Arnot (nra@maxwell.ph.kcl.ac.uk), November 02, 1998.

Question for Nigel, as a matter of interest are you stockpiling/preparing for y2k like our American cousins or only thinking about it.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 02, 1998.