Anyone who wagered on this one, be happy. Y2K got its mention. It was treated in the most condescending way I can think of. Tonight, ALL of our Federal government is represented at this speach, and all they could do was chuckle it off. If I was a religious man, I'd say "God save us now".

To those of you who are still trying to get through to the DGI's GOOD LUCK! From now on, I'm keeping my mouth shut. Christa

-- christa (christamike@hotmail.com), January 19, 1999

Answers

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.

Wasn't the laughter triggered by a single representative's standing up to applaud? I don't think there'd have been laughter otherwise.

-- No Spam Please (anon@ymous.com), January 19, 1999.

I'm with christa. It's almost February. I'm now in radio silence mode. Anybody ask's me "hey how's y2k coming?" they will get the stock answer "State of the Union sounds good!"

Screw this community BS. Lock and load, whatever that means.

-- a (a@a.a), January 19, 1999.

I think they were laughing at the poor fellow who stood up and applauded. I think he probably takes y2k seriously and was glad the President mentioned it. Of course the DGI's thought this was a hoot.

-- gilda jessie (jess@listbot.com), January 19, 1999.

Mouth shut, eyes and ears open. I violated this practice today at a chamber of comerce meeting this morning. They are all sheep headed to slauter. The banker kept saying you are all FDIC insured, we are compliant, your deposits are safe.... The US West guy said no dates in their switching systems, so no problems..... The electric guy from APS said the nuke is old tech, it is ok and so is everything else..... The SCORE guy said, "Y2K is like a bad snow storm, here today, gone tomorrow....."

Dead men walking.

Water, food, heat and ammo.

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

I got kind of a different take on it. there was like this sudden intake of breath, then some nervous laughter. It was like they couldn't believe he was violating the see no evil speak no evil policy the government has been following since Bennet did his turn around. They were scared to death he was gonna let the cat out of the bag and start a stampede on the banks.

-- Nikoli Krushev (doomsday@y2000.com), January 19, 1999.

You've got to look behind the scenes. He mentioned it now -----so later on this year he can refer to it--------as he tells us that we just didn't move fast enough as he warned us to do (States & Business) ------and that now(As Clinton sees it)----- FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY he must DECLARE A NATIONAL EMERGENCEY. Than's when restrictions on withdrawal of money from bank accounts starts------to save the banks------travel restrictions possible----to save fuel. He'll tell all about how hard it is going to be-------but only after he's in control under the NATIONAL EMERGENCY. The Troops will be called out to patrol the streets to support the National Emergency and to do his calling. CLINTON WILL BE IN CHARGE. Congress will be sent home, FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY(in the eyes of Clinton). You & I as citizens will be able to do nothing but follow or risk jail. And that's what is coming.

-- Snoop (Insider@insider.com), January 19, 1999.

Does anyone know who the brave soul was who stood up and applauded Clinton's mention of Y2K? If only one of our elected representatives had the courage to stand up and be counted as a GI, we are in DEEP trouble. But I already knew that... I'm keeping my head down and my mouth shut, unless asked by someone who is sincere.

"...Because they did not receive the love of the truth... God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie..." (1 The. 2:10-11)

-- Nabi Davidson (nabi7@yahoo.com), January 19, 1999.

My guess is Sen. Bennett. But I am not sure, you see, the camera was pointed at the ass of the government, not the head.

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

Nikoli,

I got the same impression you did. First it was nervousness that he brought it up and about how much he would say--then laughter about the one member that stood up in applause.

When things turn bad, though, he'll be able to say he told state and local governments, large and small businesses, that they needed to help too.

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

I'd have to agree with gilda that the snickering was due to the visual of one, lone, solitary person jumping up to his feet to clap. I also agree with Uncle Deedah that it was probably Bennett. As I listened to a speech that had enough fluff in it to fill a pillow the size of New York, I kept thinking how useless it is and will be when the s&*%t really does hit the solar-powered windmills.

-- shivermetimbers (zerodegrees@brrrrr.com), January 19, 1999.

Well, well, well. I guess all those posts some of us have made sounding warning and other diverse comments are now hitting home to all the GI's who really didn't get it. They are now humbly called the RDGI (really do get its). P.S. I forgive you for calling me a war monger, idiot, bad news bear, let's work through the community, love one another, blah, blah, blah....

-- AK47 (AK47@bangbang.com), January 20, 1999.

It did seem to be the only point in his speech where he wasn't completely sure of himself...the nervousness was real and telling. It's a fine line one walks in creating awareness without panic induced catastophre.

To the poster above who wrote, "P.S. I forgive you for calling me a war monger, idiot, bad news bear, let's work through the community, love one another, blah, blah, blah...." What is wrong with someone saying "love one another?" It doesn't take a genius to figure out that love of our fellow man or a lack thereof is what has and will continue to determine our future as a human race. (Idealistic as it may sound.)

***All ya need is love***

-- Other Lisa (LisaWard2@aol.com), January 20, 1999.

Dear a@a.a

To lock & load is what we did before we entered Indian country. It ment we were in a very serious mode . a bullet in the chamber :o(

-- Mike (mickle2@aol.com), January 20, 1999.

The fact of the matter is Lisa we don't love one another and will never love one another.....what is love anyways? WTSHTF, the worst will come out of people whom we've always thought highly of. Watch your back.

-- Lookingbehindme (Lookingbehindme@~~.com), January 20, 1999.

Lookingbehindme you are probably right but think loving thoughts as you pull the trigger on the AR 15 :)

I suppose I shouldn't joke, should I, but what the hell.

I do think you are right regarding the USA at least, there is (in the cities that I've lived in) very little patience, tolerance, - the fast food/24 hr/movies/teevee/guns scenario, ever see "Taxi Driver"???

I hope for the best, but realistically I'm pretty convinced it will get real ugly real quickly... :o(

Andy the doombrooder :)

"We're doomed I tell ye, doomed!"

Private Frazer, Dad's Army, Walmington-On-Sea Home Guard, 1939 (Undertaker)

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

Snoop: BINGO!!!!.......go to the head of the class.

-- Charles R. (chuck_roast@trans.net), January 20, 1999.

I too think that Snoop got this one right -- Y2K was simply brought up as a "placeholder", to be utilized for later use.

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), January 20, 1999.

Agree with Snoop, disagree with most everybody else.

The entire Senate is dealing with a Y2K fix gone bad. House knows about it. I think that was a force for the laughter - it was a stress- reflex.

Only thing that upset me was the way he said "THIS Y2K bug".. as opposed to "OUR Y2K challenge" or something. He intimated by this that Y2K is an OBJECT, rather than a systemic condition.

The fact that he said it at all is great - DWGIs are more likely to discuss it, now that the nation's heard the president mention it.

-- Lisa (lisab@shallc.com), January 20, 1999.

I only heard a part of Clintons Y2k comments and thought "maybe they're actually going to address it." Then I looked uo the actual text of what he said-- "How dumb can I be !" was my next thougt. As a lot of people have indicated, this problem is just not going to be addressed other than politically motivated cover. SO for those of us that have just started, we have alot of work to do and I don't see how I can spend much time on educating others either. Gary North once said it took him 3 years to overcome his "denial stage". The rest of us have only months or weeks -- so forget Washington or any politics, it will only slow you down.

-- Robert Rohland (narnia4@USa.net), January 20, 1999.

Nabi,

That's (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11).

-- The Harpist (looking@up.com), January 20, 1999.

The expression, "lock and load", comes from the action of 'locking' the magazine of a weapon in place, then operating said weapons' bolt to 'load' a round into the firing chamber from the magazine. Sadly, probably good advice...

-- Why2K (who@knows.com), January 20, 1999.

Add SNOOP and NICOLI together and you get a good view.

cr

-- Chuck, night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 20, 1999.

PS Some of teh (like me) non-military types who have not had the pleasure I have had of banging shoulders with snake-eaters (as Cory puts it) may not recognize "Indian Country". (If I err, feel free to correct) "Indian Country" is any area that the Opposition has a credible pressence. Any area that you are likely to or may get your @ss shot off. It doesn't necessarily refer to a specific geographic area (marked on a map) but can mean any place outside your own base walls.

Chuck

-- Chuck, night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 20, 1999.

Thanks Harpist. When you get old, the memory's the first thing to go:-)...

-- Nabi Davidson (nabi7@yahoo.com), January 20, 1999.

"My guess is Sen. Bennett. But I am not sure, you see, the camera was pointed at the ass of the government, not the head."

--Uncle Deedah...VERY FUNNY! LOL (And so true, too.)

I *heard* (not having the stomach to actually *watch*) that the "Big Creep" (such a touching endearment) talked about Y2k with a big smirk on his face. No wonder everyone laughed.

Off to Sam's tomorrow....

-- Scarlett (ohara@tara.net), January 20, 1999.

Here's a news article on Clinton's Y2K comments last night...

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/ap/washington/story.html?s=v/ap/1 9990120/pl/clinton_y2k_3.html

"Clinton Appeals for Y2K Help"

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), January 21, 1999.

A few military terms: Army Rangers are sometimes called " snake eaters." Training is: 'live-off-the-land survival AND complete the mission of inflicting maximum damage to the enemy.'

"Indian Country" was used a lot by members of the 1st Cav (Airmobile) in Vietnam (HQ'd in Ahn Khe), in keeping with the unit's history dating back to the "Indian Wars" of the American west. Was Custer's unit.

"Lock and load" is loading a round in the chamber. The operator of a " hand-held, gas-operated, air-cooled, fully- automatic (M16), weapon" is prepared for battle.

If your wondering what a "Wild Weasel" is...consider the kind of men who flew/fly these missions, In Vietnam, usually "Wild Weasel" aircraft were usually F106 Thuds or other aircraft(F-4's), which intentionally tried to have a SAM (Surface to Air missile) radar light up and track their aircraft. The SAM site is now revealed and the Wild Weasel turns in and attacks the site...hopefully before a launch or attacks then evades the launched SAM. Having spent my share of cockpit time, I had/have tremendous respect for these guys.

-- PNG (png@gol.com), January 21, 1999.

PNG - that's why I chose USN-type sub service - keep the "tractor" running for power to burn "holes in the water" and keep the coffee pot hot. Silent, warm, and nice and still (no rocking or rolling) nice and deep below the storms and bad weather.

Then got side tracked into shipyard construction, testing, repair and rebuilding. After rip out and removal. we were lucky to still have a steel hull above the control room to keep the snow out. Then add ten thousand welders, grinders, painters, and electricians all trying to get their jobs done, and watch the coffee pot and kitchen get removed when emergency power was installed ..... It was hell.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), January 21, 1999.