I have some friends. Up to their eyeballs in the stockmarket. I took them by the hand and led them to the edge. They glanced down. The quick look was to much for them. They thought about their investments, their small children, their SUV, their comfortable home, their good jobs. They looked away. Don't want to know ! It can't happen ! You must be crazy ! Am I crazy ? Are all of you crazy ? NO ! Look at the facts. Understand the systems. Put it all together. You and I are not crazy. We understand what could happen, not what will happen. Pollyannas, we pray we are wrong. If we are right I know I am going to HATE it. I may survive. Look into the abyss. See what could be. PREPARE for the worst. May God have mercy on us all.

-- reed moore (reed_moore@postmaster.co.uk), January 25, 1999

Answers

The real question and comment is: Could it happen? Will it happen? Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Should I do this, should I not do that? You get in line and take your chances. No one has a crystal ball, we are all taking a big chance with everything! Responsibilities for many of us have been redirected to preparing, just in case, for something we think will happen. Many of us have put our financial future on hold and have redirected our interests to other areas where we never dreamed we would have several months ago. What's in the abyss is anyone's guess. But either way, I'm not going to lose anything if I can help it.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 25, 1999.

bardou: "get in line" "take your chances" I agree ! Putting your financial future on hold is the current "name of the game". I am not concerned with people like you. You have recognized the many possible futures we could be facing. My concern is with the thousands and thousand of people who WON'T get it. People with small children, seniors and others with health concerns. I don't feel real good about what is in our future. I hope for the best, but I fear the worst. Heck of a way to run a planet !

-- reed moore (reed_moore@postmaster.co.uk), January 25, 1999.

Hi Reed,

yeah, no kidding. I think every last one of us can think of relatives and friends who most likely will NOT make it if the situation goes past a 3 or so. We've gotta tell who we can tell, and really, after that, the only thing we can do is remember that God, not us, is in charge...there are things that happen in this world for which we are NOT accountable...so we need to concentrate primarily on those for whom/which we are responsible.

Just my 2 cents' worth, Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), January 25, 1999.

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose"--Hey, when the babes are left holding the bag--then they will know absolute freedom. Opportunity will be wide open--New vistas to conquer, like gardening, et al. --bigdaddy

-- bigdaddy (bigkahunaguy@webtv.net), January 26, 1999.

Reed: There will always be people who won't get it, but not because of anything that we did not say or do. Frankly, I gave up a long time ago trying to convince and warn. I don't feel guilty about that, nor do I struggle to get the word out. I don't have what it takes anymore to educate the flock. I know my limits and my threshhold for stress. Who in world said that I was responsible for everyone else anyway?

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 26, 1999.

Bardou: the same guy who knows where the smallest sparrow has fallen.

-- lisa (lisab@shallc.com), January 26, 1999.

Then I suppose it's up to him to open up people's eyes and ears.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 26, 1999.

bardou, he is - through people who use their voices. please don't keep yours silent................

-- lisa (lisab@shallc.com), January 26, 1999.

"Could it happen? Will it happen? Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Should I do this, should I not do that? You get in line and take your chances."

GREED.

What the hell is wrong with people, I see it every day with me ex- friends in Corporate Amerika, yes SUV's (of course, on lease, Misubishi, nothing to put down etc.), Condo's, Grabbing the yankee dollar.

I find it all - unseemly, pathetic, selfish.

I try and get my view across and obviously am met with hostility, perceived jealousy - these yuppie idiots will go down quickly, I feel sorry for the older folks with life savings they are needlessly risking on this rollercaster.

Some are savvy, yes, the majority are sheep - don't have a clue.

I'm gettin blase - I can't keep repeating myself :)

Andy

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), January 26, 1999.