The Upside of Gloom & Doom Posted April 25, 1999

Prejudices of those who GI and or don't GI against each other seem to be rampant these days. The frequent attacks seen on this and other discussion groups seem to be heating up. I consider myself a GI. We have seen many labels gloom & doom, hoarders, isolationists, polly's, etc. However, I firmly believe that the troubles that lie ahead of us will prove the power of community and the goodness/kindness/compassion of the majority of our fellow men/women.

As I have expressed in previous posts, I actually find myself looking forward to our society taking a few steps back. In many recent example's we see that people who are faced with tragedy respond with heroic effort. The cream does rise to the top. Sure, there will be those who are opportunistic and or criminal. But their actions are overshadowed by the "average people" who sacrifice their money/valuables and sometimes endanger themselves to assist those in jeopardy.

Quite fortunate for me, I am located in a relatively small (pop. 40,000) community surrounded by mountains and a river runs through it. Even though there are few here that are aware of the impending problems, I foresee (no I'm not a prophet) this community pulling together and finding resolutions for its difficulties. Perhaps this sounds naove. But, for example, during the San Francisco earthquake disaster many heroes were found among unlikely prospects. Like the song says "A country boy can survive".

Although some would call us gloom & doom, I think this will be a grand opportunity for Americans to get back to the basics; for all of us to realize the strategic importance of community; to realize the wisdom of the original construct of our nation; to understand that the answer to our problems won't be found in laws and bureaucracy in Washington, D.C. but, in us... small groups and communities with common motives and needs.

There is the justified attitude that people need to be personally responsible. However, our nation has been "taught" not to be. Do we who are personally responsible have less love for our fellow man? Do we have less compassion? Will we turn our back on our neighbors for their ignorance? I THINK NOT !!

Those who are prepared (at least mentally) for the disruptions ahead have will have the unequalled opportunity to save lives by sharing the information they have collected. Knowledge of lost arts like food preparation, water safety, and self reliance will allow us to provide hope to our neighbors that "just didn't realize this could happen". Some of the posters on this group have even made preparations for some of their non-GI neighbors and relatives. Yes, our first responsibility is to our own family. But, for many of us, the opportunity to help our fellow man will not be passed by.

This will be an opportunity to shine and make a difference. It will be an opportunity for many to wake up and smell the coffee. It will be an opportunity for communities to care for their own. It will be an opportunity for our nation (or at least individuals) to step back and evaluate our course of action and repair our way of thinking and our perception of reality. It will be an opportunity for the greatest paradigm shift in history, a shift so badly needed in this confused society.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only. The author has exposed his naoveti at his own personal expense and is not responsible for any person's actions, attitudes or increased blood pressure due to information contained herein.

IMHO WebRNot

-- WebRNot (webrnot@ncap13k.com), April 25, 1999

Answers

If we can't change it, we may as well find the bright side of it.

PJ in TX

-- PJ Gaenir (fire@firedocs.com), April 25, 1999.

Yall help me out here. Who was it that said "If rape is ineviteable you might as well lay back and enjoy it."

-- Nikoli Krushev (doomsday@y2000.com), April 25, 1999.

Gloria Steinem?

Jane Fonda?

Bella Abzug?

Richard Simmons?

Regards,

-- Mr Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), April 25, 1999.

Nikoli, I know of one person who said it. He was running for governor of the State of Texas against Ann Richards. His name was Clayton Williams. After that, he lost the election.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), April 25, 1999.

Y'all clearly don't remember that Ross Perot said that as well, comparing it to the weather.

Believe it or not, this really is a fundamental with me. I was date raped once and took exactly that approach. Didn't help all that much I have to admit, since astonishment and anger took a lot of the interest out of it for me. Then again, I've probably had worse times on occasions I volunteered for, so what the hey.

WebRNot, it's still a good idea to find the positive motivations for doing anything... it helps ensure it gets done. The problem with doing so, is that now that I have the 1.7 million reasons to be optimistic about Y2K and my plans, I also have at least half that many reasons for actually, secretly hoping it comes to pass. Corpses aside, of course.

PJ in TX

-- PJ Gaenir (fire@firedocs.com), April 25, 1999.

Maybe there'd be some substantial long-term benefits for people here if Y2K brings the global depression I expect it to. But most of my friends live in the Philippines and are living off of less than $50 a month for the whole family. Contrary to what some might think, these "under-developed" places will inevitably get hit harder than we will here. If Y2K is bad I'll lose 5 or 10 pounds and have to play farmer for awhile. I'm set here for anything up to a "9". But while I'm scratching out a living some of my friends will be starving to death. There isn't enough food production there to feed all the people. Without imports they'll have starvation. I can and am sending money to some now (with advice on how to use it) but I can't shoulder all of them. So Y2K's only "up" side for me is that it is still only a possibility, not a certainty.

-- Steve Hartzler (s.hartzler@usa.net), April 26, 1999.