Today's tidbits focus on the current media rush to prevent "Panic." They're really working overtime on this one, gang. And, they're trying to give the impression that anyone who does anything out of the ordinary will ultimately be the CAUSE of any major breakdowns that occur. Regulars here are familiar with this idea. Hopefully the "Masses" won't be propagandized into believing this, though I'm sure they will.

--------- Obviously, this is the big feel-good propaganda piece for the week. There are dozens of versions of this story, everybody's printing it. Of course, at this point, it's probably totally meaningless, but nobody's saying that. Let's just pat ourselves on the back, and be "glad it's over." ------------------

http://cnn.com/TRAVEL/NEWS/9902/04/y2k.travel.02/

Travel industry dodges millennium bug's sting

February 4, 1999 Web posted at: 11:07 p.m. EST (0407 GMT)

(CNN) -- Travel industry computers passed the first expected test of their ability to meet the millennium Thursday, refusing to fail or cause untold grief as the first flights of the year 2000 went into computer reservation systems.

Thursday was the first day that most airlines would accept bookings for departures on January 1, 2000, and the day was seen as a test for the big computer reservation systems that handle most flights. By Thursday evening, the travel industry discovered its computer reservation systems are able to handle the year 2000 rollover -- the date computers could have mistaken for January 1, 1900.

"I'm glad it's over," said a very tired Ronnie Hauptman, Year 2000 director for Galileo International Inc., the world's second-largest travel reservation company. "Our work paid off. . . "

--------- Most of you have probably seen references to this story also. This is really pissing me off. A Cabinet member "warning" the American public against "needless and frivolous stockpiling of supplies." I find this totally innapproriate, and an obvious indicator that the propaganda machine is geared up full tilt. Who the hell is this man to say what is needless and frivolous for me or you?

We are deep trouble, folks. ----------------

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/ap/technology/story.html?s=v/ap/19990205/tc/year_2000_1.html

Y2K Food Shortages Said Unlikely

By TED BRIDIS Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman says it is unlikely the Year 2000 computer problem will cause widespread food shortages, partly because few U.S. farmers use high-tech systems that might be susceptible.

``The American public can be confident that the major domestic companies, which provide most of the key foods, will continue to operate,'' Glickman wrote in prepared testimony for his appearance today before a Senate committee.

Instead, Glickman warned consumers against ``needless and frivolous stockpiling of supplies. . .''

------------- A discussion of "Safe Information Dissemination " on Westergaard ------

http://y2ktimebomb.com/GL/CL/gl9905.htm

Safe Information Dissemination By Chuck Lanza February 5, 1999

Listening to the radio on the way to work this morning, my interest was piqued when a caller to Art Bell's "Coast to Coast" queried about Y2K becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Art deftly maneuvered the conversation through this potential minefield and ended the show with a message supporting Y2K preparedness. The underlying theme of the discussion was whether talking about Y2K preparedness, specifically storing food, water and maintaining cash reserves, would somehow hasten rather than lesson panic. It is clear to me that panic, typified by out of control buying of food and water, as well as bank runs, is a potential threat not caused by too much information and discussion but by too little.

There are three strategies that government can take with regard to Y2K information dissemination. They are:

1.Present preparedness information that provides information about potential threats and what activities can be taken now to lesson those threats.

2.Present information that there is no need to take any preparedness activities, as there are no indicators that Y2K disruptions will have any impact on the community.

3.Do nothing, as there is always the potential that just talking about Y2K may heighten awareness and cause some people to panic. . .

-------------- The myopia of Money. For so many people, like these guys, that's ALL they can see. How will it affect my money? Can I turn possible disaster into a money-making opportunity? -----------

http://www.stlnet.com/POSTnet/News/pdtoday.nsf/Business/590da772a6b3b1dc8625670f000f72c2?OpenDocument

Investors brace for the Y2K bug

Friday, February 5, 1999

Knight Ridder Regardless of how severe problems ultimately turn out to be, financial advisers say Y2K can present money-making possibilities for the astute investor.

For some, the financial strategy for the looming Millennium Bug is simple: Sell your assets, stock up on gold and head for the hills.

Many might find that approach a bit drastic. But the so-called Year 2000 (Y2K) computer problem has put investors, brokers and money managers on alert, and some are rethinking their portfolios in anticipation.

"We don't think you should go sell everything, move to Colorado and move into one of those shelters," said Jeff Buhl, founder of Y2K Investments, an investment-research firm in Atlanta. "But we do think there are going to be some rocky financial times."

The Y2K bug causes computers to confuse the year 2000 with 1900, potentially triggering widespread technological disruptions. Edward Yardeni, chief economist for Deutsche Bank Securities, said there is a 70 percent chance the problem could prompt a global recession. Other economists predict only a minimal impact.

Regardless of how severe problems ultimately turn out to be, financial advisers say Y2K can present money-making possibilities for the astute investor.

"Whatever may come will probably be a phenomenal investment opportunity," said Casey Ellis, a managed-futures broker for Brookstreet Securities on Mercer Island, Wash. "Those with the cash and the ability to react to it will probably do extremely well."

---------------- Another Banker speaking out against "Consumer Panic." These guys are running scared. Very, very scared. ------------

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KNBC/88965.asp

GTE swallows Y2K panic charges

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4  GTE, the Southlands No. 2 telephone company, stirred Y2K hysteria when it warned 1.5 million customers to withdraw a few weeks worth of extra cash in case the Y2K bug bites.

The suggestion was made in the companys monthly newsletter, implying that local automated teller machines will likely stop functioning on Jan. 1, 2000. . .

The problem could affect a wide range of software, from programs designed to mail out paychecks to ones that run bank ATMs. The GTE announcement raised the ire of the California Bankers Association, a trade group that represents many of the states banks.

We think its irresponsible for GTE to suggest that consumers need several weeks of cash, CBA spokesperson John Stafford said. It is the kind of thing that could contribute to consumer panic. GTE spokesperson Bill Kula defended the newsletter, saying it merely summarizes published accounts.

If any customer interpreted GTE as providing personal cash-management guidance, we regret that.

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), February 05, 1999

Answers

My, my, my...

the truth does sting abit, doesn't it?

and really...from your daily 'media tidbits' to 'media propaganda tidbits'...who is the propagandist now, I wonder?

-- Mutha Nachu (---@mountains.com), February 05, 1999.

Mutha,

You're an imbecile. If you're not interested in preparing, get off the preparedness forum. If you had the courage to drop your sarcastic, purely insulting and disruptive comments in person, the truth would do a lot more than "sting" you. Go to the "Gary North is a Big Fat Idiot" forum with the rest of the lost boys, and let us grown-ups deal with problems of which you are willfully ignorant.

E.

-- E. Coli (nunayo@beeswax.com), February 05, 1999.

And the propagandist is (the envelope please)...

http://www.wired.com/news/print_version/politics/story/17527.html?wnpg =all

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), February 05, 1999.

Just as I thought.

"don't bother me with the facts"

whatever...

have a nice life with your fears...

ta-ta

-- Mutha Nachu (---@woods.com), February 05, 1999.

That Cabinet member who said food "stockpiling" is needless and frivolous: this country is toast.

That Cabinet member should have a "real person dialog" with the genius on this board who made the fantastic and simple point that if we "stockpile" TV sets, or cars, or stereos, or walkmans, or video tapes, or any of the other consumer crap that is drowning this world, that's fine. But food ??? You're obviously some kind of David Koresh who needs to be burned to death.

And the thing about the USDA distributing if needed: that totally supports Grey Bear's contention on another thread that they want the population as helpless as possible.

-- Runway Cat (runway_cat@hotmail.com), February 05, 1999.

Mutha,

E. did brought up a good point. Why do you bother calling this forum if you don't believe in fallback contingency planning?

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), February 05, 1999.

Boy scouts are dangerous.

-- Reporter (foo@foo.bar), February 05, 1999.

If the government can stockpile stuff (FOOD...ICBM's, parts, fuel, etc), why can't the average citizen?

-- Faze the Nation (dazed@confused.com), February 05, 1999.

Good point...however, I don't think ICBMs are available at Lehman's.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), February 05, 1999.

Uh...not that I would want to purchase an ICBM. Just thought I'd make that clear :-)

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), February 05, 1999.

Mutha (and othas)

Yes, it's true, the truth does sting.

Please, however, be aware of the difference between EDITORIALIZING and PROPAGANDIZING. What I did was editorialize. I made it very clear what I was presenting and why. The articles and people quoted in them, however, are not so clear on their motivations. All of this stuff taken as a whole, (again, these were just tidbits) with little actual substance, leads me to conclude that it's propaganda. Again, I state that this is my opinion.

"I'm glad it's over," said a very tired Ronnie Hauptman, Year 2000 director for Galileo International Inc., the world's second-largest travel reservation company. "Our work paid off. . . "

(WHAT'S over? It was only ONE DAY! How can they possible know ANYTHING relevant?)

``The American public can be confident that the major domestic companies, which provide most of the key foods, will continue to operate..."

(WHAT am I to base this confidence on? A statement by a man who would say something like this?)...

...Glickman warned consumers against ``needless and frivolous stockpiling of supplies. . .'' (PUH-LEEEZE!)

We think its irresponsible for GTE to suggest that consumers need several weeks of cash, CBA spokesperson John Stafford said. It is the kind of thing that could contribute to consumer panic.

(He only thinks it's irresponsible because he knows that Banking is a big scam. He's not worried about "the consumers," he's worried about "the system.")

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), February 05, 1999.

There was a story in an earlier thread on hoarding, from Old Git, in which "government men" come with the local sheriff and tell him he can't have three hogs, only one. He ends up agreeing to shoot two hogs and bury them. Not redistribute them to the poor, but destroy them. The whole point of preventing your slaves from stockpiling food is to make them dependent. Dependent upon you for a handout, or dependent on you for employment in the industries you need workers for. In times of economic upheaval, you are also going to institute wage and price controls. If people have plenty of food and supplies stocked, and trade among themselves, use their tools and supplies to create thriving local economies, etc., that is a huge threat to the larger system of people-management. So all such trade must be declared a criminal "black market" (the same thing has happened with drugs, and for the same reason).

E.

-- E. Coli (nunayo@beeswax.com), February 05, 1999.

Dammit E...I HATE it when you make sense.

-- a (a@a.a), February 05, 1999.

I guess I'm breaking the rules. Got about $700 in the Y2k fund. Grab another 20 or 40 with each MAC visit. Bunch of canned stuff in pantry. Got 2nd 55 gal. drum for kero last week, empty. First is full though. So, what's the problem? Maybe ther're worried that if nothing else happens, us horders will drag down consumer spending in Jan. I won't be needing much from the grocery store then. I won't be needing to make a MAC run for quite a while. And all that extra kero goes into the tank - burns better than #2 fuel oil anyway.

-- Sysman (working@it.edu), February 05, 1999.

Why this PR blitz, why now?

Recall that this country runs almost exclusively on polling.

They've been conducting Y2k polls for several months now -- really good, scientific ones, not the half-baked junk that we've been getting on the web.

The results of these polls have shown exactly what we hoped they would show and what they hoped they wouldn't -- a steadily rising level of opinion in favor of Y2k preparedness. Extrapolation of these trends indicated severe systemic risk, especially to the financial sector, well before 1/1/00.

This has led to the decision that these levels of Y2k "concern" must be measurably reduced, and soon.

That led to an unusually candid decision to assuage those fears via a PR blitz. (At least they told us up front they were going to be doing this, so it should come as no surprise to anyone on this NG).

And that has led to this recent series of Y2OK blurbs and sound-bites, which, predictably, either don't stand on their own merit due to a complete lack of quantifiable evidence, or consist of minor and not-so-minor isolated milestones brought to the foreground while ignoring the larger context, the hope being that the casual listener will extrapolate each specific, positive piece as being representative of the whole.

It might work.

Is this their most reasonable approach? Probably.

Are there risks involved with this approach? Definitely.

Do they have a choice? Not according to their polls.

-- Nathan (nospam@all.com), February 06, 1999.

Clinton (and his defenders) destroyed the fundamental "faith in the government" that the government and the media needed to carry out this re-propaganda plan.

However, this conclusion indicates that 30-45% of the population will listen to the propaganda - come the inverted conclusion "I should do the opposite of what Clinton says for my own health and the health of my family" - and so prepare even harder.

We still lose many individuals who could have been taught to think for themselves, and take care of themselves. But that's not what this governmetn wants before the 2000 elections.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), February 07, 1999.