Three MAJOR riots at MSU since they banned on campus drinking. Another one, even worse, occurred in Colorado. Others still were induced by sporting matches. I remember seeing tiny, one paragraph stories on some of these incidents buried in the paper. I wasn't overly concerned. After seeing these spectacles on videotape and in techicolor, I was shocked.

If Americans act like this when they are denied access to beer and wine, what type of reaction will y2k bring?

-- why (do@people.act this way?), April 08, 1999

Answers

that may depend on what percentage of the population happen to be immature college students...or as immature as college students...hard to guestimate that one, no?

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), April 08, 1999.

Scary thought! FEMA and the National Guard will be distributing food and water to those in need, but you can forget about alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics. The out of control addicts and what they will do to get their substances could turn out to be a very serious problem.

-- @ (@@@.@), April 08, 1999.

One time several years ago the coal mines in this area went on strike. Farmers from several states brought potatoes in large semi trucks to pass out amoung the miners. The mines had not been on strike long enough for any of them to be in deep financial trouble or starving.

We were in the crowd that day and it was horrible. Men were fighting over potatoes like they were receiving gold bars. There was pushing and shoving. It was one of the most embarassing sights I have ever witnessed and all of it over a sack of potatoes.

Should Y2k be even a minor inconveniece, I shudder to think of the reaction from the people. Americans are not programmed to suffer any type of inconvenience or disruption to their bountiful lives. When college age kids are rioting over not being able to drink beer, I would say we have some serious problems.

-- Linda A. (adahi@muhlon.com), April 08, 1999.

I don't think the riots will last too long due to the fact they will be freezing their asses off in the dark. With that said I have the will and means to make them go elsewhere. After a week or so of shivering many will be dead, many predators, and many will be controlable.Sadly we will be living in interesting times.

-- nine (nine_fingers@hotmail.com), April 09, 1999.

With regard to rioting in the cold, don't forget, a large portion of the country doesn't really get that cold in the winter. Here in New Orleans, most winter days go up to 70 degrees. I can see riots happening very easily. We're trying to make a decision about moving as I write this.

-- Scarlett (creolady@aol.com), April 09, 1999.

Kids. They're kids. What you're seeing is a lot of testoserone trying to find a (momentarily non-sexual) outlet.

Put a bit of saltpeter in their survival rations & they'll settle down.

You think I'm joking but the military used to do it routinely.

-- too (middleaged@to.riot), April 09, 1999.

I'm not sure the issue is really about alcohol...I think that it is about what it's been about forever...people refusing to be told by those in authority what to do, how to live, etc., ad nauseum. What is it about human beings...that thing that says "we know better than you"? When that deep-held belief is vested in so-called authorities, governors, legislators, presidents, ayatollahs,...most of whom can't manage their own lives, but manage to tell every one else how to behave? This is an old story being told again. And, again, few are learning anything. Saddening. Wizening.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), April 09, 1999.

If my daughter was one of those bimbo's showing her breasts to the crowd, she'd be one sorry little tramp, I can tell you.

-- Buffalo Bob (buff@hal.com), April 09, 1999.

This is WHY we are preparing the way we are, and WHY we're armed.

Human nature hasn't changed much in 7,000 years.

-- INVAR (gundark@sw.net), April 09, 1999.