Clinton barely had three sentences to say on y2k. He said The government had already ASSURED that Social Security Checks would get sent out. (big applause) He said that Y2k was a big problem. And he said that We must make sure it gets solved so thaqt it will be the last headache of this century and not the first one of the next.

THAT IS IS! NOTHING ELSE!

If you are still so freaking stupid as to believe there is any chance at all, you are manifestly deserving of what happens when the hammer comes down.

-- Paul Milne (fedinfo@halifax.com), January 19, 1999

Answers

GEEE... now I really feel better..

Tesss

-- Tesss (tbowles@accs.net), January 19, 1999.

I agree. And the rest of his SoU address has been useless crap too. He's contradicted himself in the same sentence, he's been factually inaccurate (every schoolkid knows that WW1 began in 19FOURTEEN, not 1917), and he's not even half finished.

-- Leo (lchampion@ozemail.com.au), January 19, 1999.

It's Christmas time in January! Here's a present for you, little boy. And one for you young lady. Hey, did I miss anybody?

-- Franklin Journier (ready4y2k@yahoo.com), January 19, 1999.

Paul did you think he would do more? Y2K is BAD NEWS, he only wants to talk about good news. In 12 months Clinton will wish they had thrown him out of office.

-- Bill (bill@microsoft.com), January 19, 1999.

Well Paul, Those of us who have prepared are ready for what ever will face us this year and next. I have 5 boys who are depending on me. I am so very disappointed in our government. Again heir clinton treats y2k as a joke. " I see that one senator applauded" (when clinton mentioned y2k) I think that if the happy face spin continues we are really in for some very hard times. The panic factor near the end of this year may really push us into a far worst situation than it should be. The elderly and socially dependent poor folks will suffer the most at clintons lack of leadership. I for one am going to hunker down and hope for the best. Papa bear who needs to buy more candles

-- papa Bear (itguy@usa.net), January 19, 1999.

Bright spot:

After 'blowing' his presidency, he is a lame duck and will not be able to implement his socialist agenda.

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), January 19, 1999.

OK, Clinton mentioned Y2K, and the immediate response? Embarrassed hooting laughter. Thanks, TIME Mag. Clinton did try, a bit, to break thru Congress's guilty ridiculing brush-off. Clinton appealed to the listener to put pressure on local & state & business & home folks and take responsibility to prepare. Sounded like Clinton has a little itty bitty germ of a Y2K glimmer, but buckled to the derision of govt flacks. Sick. The whole thing is sick. This actually managed to be more depressing than we thought it could be. Bring it up and get snickered off topic. Who will be laughing one year from now?

We're putting that TIME mag on the end of our pitchfork as we charge ...

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-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), January 19, 1999.

And what is this? Did anyone catch the wave of nervous tittering through the room at his mention of Y2K? !!!!

We are in worse shape than I thought.

-- Debbie Spence (dbspence@usa.net), January 19, 1999.

Leo -

The United States did not enter WW1 until 1917.

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), January 19, 1999.

Pshannon has posted the text of Clinton's Y2K comments at...

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000P5b

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), January 19, 1999.

Did you notice the reaction in the folks in the hall (and his reaction to their reaction) when he mentioned the topic?

I had the impression that the hall's reaction was: a) "Surely...he can't be serious!" or.. b) nervous laughter

BTW, TRIVIAL OBSERVATION: The prez said one person gave a standing ovation, or something to that effect....wonder who it was? Guesses, anyone?

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), January 19, 1999.

Bennett(sp)?

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), January 19, 1999.

Clinton Appeals For Help On Year 2000 Computer Problem

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Clinton sought nationwide help Tuesday in fixing the Year 2000 computer problem so that the high-tech glitch ``can be remembered as the last headache of the 20th century, not the first crisis of the 21st.''

Clinton's reference to the so-called ``Y2K'' problem during his State of the Union address left the House chamber unusually quiet, a stark contrast to the dozens of interruptions by applause during other parts of his speech.

``We had one member of Congress stand up and applaud,'' Clinton said. ``Remember this is a big, big problem.''

``I want all the folks at home listening to this to know that we need every state and local government, every business large and small, to work with us,'' Clinton said.

The federal government previously set a Nov. 1, 1999 deadline to have all its computers fixed and tested.
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-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), January 19, 1999.

Let me first preface this by saying I am not a Clinton fan.

I think this was Clinton setting the a little ground work for this coming year. Yes, it was very little ground work. This is the first real "event" where Clinton has mentioned Y2k to a large audience. If Clinton was reacting to "polls" regarding what he should talk about then Y2k made those polls as an important issue Americans are concerned about.

I don't know what to think about that. Is it good that people are becoming aware or bad because eventually the critical mass will be reached and panic will ensue.

Regarding the reaction. What we had was a nervous laughter from people who "represent" us regarding something Clinton said was a "big, big problem". Obviously, both houses are filled with DGIs. Some lone member stands up and gets treated like a fool for his conviction. How tragic for all us. Yet, how many of us can look at our own warnings to family members and not remember similar reactions? How many of us have been treated like fools for our convictions regarding Y2k?

If it was Bennett who stood up then that is impressive. Bennett has been very outspoken regarding Clinton's impeachment. They are not friends.

Perhaps now the move will be to find Clinton insane or mentally incapacitated based on his belief in the Y2k fairy?

In the end it doesn't really matter. Clinton had no chance regardless. For many, he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't mention Y2k.

Yet, what could he say (beyond what he did say) about a "problem" that hasn't become a "real" problem yet?

What programs can the government put into place to force corporations and businesses and private utilities to become compliant in a free market economy in what is essentially a private business issue?

Although we will all be impacted by y2k disruption the bottom line is that if a business fails because of their lack of insight, their inability to take action, or their refusal to spend capital to fix their systems then that is what is called "the survival of the fittest". Businesses fail everyday based upon these issues.

Y2k isn't mainstream, killing people, creating chaos, destroying the economy, kind of news yet. Of course people would laugh and scoff at the mention of "a little computer bug". After all, "they'll fix it". "They wouldn't let this happen". Both houses of Congress don't get it with less than a year till the big day.

So, what's my take? We are so screwed.

Mike =========================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), January 20, 1999.

Well, the second .45 is on it's way and it looks like we'll need it. There are only three reasons that KKKlinton would have glossed over Y2K like this. 1. He is a complete idiot 2. He views Y2K as a small issue that can be used to his political advatage 3. He plans on staying in the White House for a long time by taking advatage of the coming storm. It doesn't really matter why he did this, I guess. This is the final nail in the coffin. Thanks to Time magazine and our fine President, no one else is going to pay attention to this until it's too late. Well, I'm done begging people to look at the facts. You're absolutely right Milne, anyone who isn't paying attention now deserves what they'll get.

When I first read 1984 as a kid I found it very creepy and nightmarish. I just reread it last year and was surprised at how mild it was. Reality has gotten pretty bad. -----Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons

-- d (d@dgi.com), January 20, 1999.

Michael Taylor, the govt just recently realized with a shock that it is dependent upon private utilities and businesses. The shock was unpleasant so they are planning to remedy that by usurping those utilities and businesses and "reallocating" "federalizing" them. See the thread under Big White House Y2K Meeting.

Not that the govt has gotten As tending to its own house

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-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), January 20, 1999.

BUGGER!

Looks like I'm under the podium next year! Damn and blast! You are a devil, pshannon, to lure me into this depravity!

BRING ON Y2K! - may Clinton never have the chance to "collect".

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), January 20, 1999.

Leska, I completely disagree with your first comment that Clinton urged "Home Folks" to prepare. In my recollection, his actual statement (as I believe you more accurately quoted in your second comment) is DEVOID of any suggestion of personal preparation or responsibility. To me, that missed opportunitywas the real tragedy of the S.O.U. Not in retrospect that I would have expected any differently. His whole push was "look at what an incredibly strong economy we have - the best we have ever had". How could he bring up Y2K in any serious matter after that? So relax everyone, plenty of time to stock up on supplies until at least the conclusion of the impeachment trial.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), January 20, 1999.

Hi Brooks, too tired to think straight, been up all night, but will attempt to answer. Wrote those first comments after hearing speech, TV broke down just before 1/1/1999 so used radio. Was horrified by twittering snickering weird-vibed reaction to Clinton bringing up Y2K. My impression (audio only) was he too was flustered and went over govt flacks by appealing to listeners.

Looking over pshannon's kind transcript, that impression was created by "...at home in front of their television sets. But remember this is a big, big problem...I want all the folks at home listening to this to know that we need every state and local government and every business large and small to work with us to make sure... "

I've been so shocked at the reaction that haven't been focusing on Clinton much, but still have impression he too was horrified (but slick quick gloss) and tried to persist a tweeny bit over the reaction by directly appealing to home folks to get ready (big, big problem) and pester their govts to get ready.

Ashton & I have already pestered our govts to pay attention, but most are simply not interested and many Don't Know Don't Care Don't Wanna Hear About It. (DKDCDWHAT) (decay decadent whats) See what happens to my brain when no sleep? NOT MY DEPT SO NOT MY PROBLEM typical attitude by govt personnel. If you pester them enough they'll shut you up by appointing you the head of a Y2K task force group, thus slotting you into the bottum rung of their system's hierarchical ladder. Home folks just gotta work on own prep and be ready; govt ain't gotta clue & ain't gonna be no help. BFN

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-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), January 20, 1999.

Just a thought:

I was thinking that the nervous laughter when he mentioned y2k was because the Senate is already experiencing computuer related problems right now.....???

-- Sub-Mitt (lurking@ofcourse.com), January 20, 1999.

Leska,

I think you're completely right about the federalization of public utilities sometime this year "if" (being diplomatic) problems are inevitable.

I just can't see how the government can push for that at this time when there are no major disruptions and little public awareness of the magnitude and scope of the problem. Our federal government will wait and fix on failure with FEMA, treating the situation much like a natural disaster. Actually, I think that the message is being pushed that it's up to state and local governments to take the lead (FEMA and Koskinen).

The Fed Gov would have to come to a consensus regarding such a broad action if it were to do so and that just aint in the cards right now. They aren't really working much as a team these days. Also, can you imagine the kinds of pressures put upon representitives and senators and the president if the act of just trying to nationalize businesses held in the public sector would occur right now? What is the justification for such action at a time when power and water, etc are working just fine?

Because we're so aware of the issues with regard to Y2k I think sometimes we forget that nothing big is happening right now. There are no black outs, brown outs, water and sewage are fine and the economy is still going fairly well.

How do you move to implement such drastic measures when there is simply no justification?

After all, it's January 20th and there is still "plenty of time to fix the problem".

You and I know better but Jane Q. Public hasn't got a clue.

I'm not saying I agree with the governments inability to act. I hate it. That's why I think we're so screwed.

Mike ===============================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), January 20, 1999.

Yeah, given that the Senate's own accounting systems are having serious problems, they have to have some idea...but to a lot of nontechnical people it's hard to get past that "it's only two digits, it can't be that hard to fix" idea.

-- Shimrod (shimrod@lycosmail.com), January 20, 1999.