3days... 5days... 30days OH my! 3days... 5days... 30days OH my! "I do believe in spooks... I do.. I do.. I do"

link

http://www.usia.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/latest&f=99043003.glt&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml

Thanks Roliegh--

-- spun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), May 04, 1999

Answers

Email this page to everybody you know. Make sure to include the disclaimer "but don't stockpile 30 days' cash, just 50 bucks or so, plus maybe some manufacturer's coupons."

HALLELUJIA. FINALLY.

Thanks, Mikey!

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), May 04, 1999.

Once again, the doomers distort the facts to make it sound like Koskinen et. al. are backtracking. Read the report:

Jim Crawford, director of a Southern Maryland action committee on Y2K and one of the panelists, advised the common citizen to do at least two things: be preventive and stockpile necessary consumer items for at least a month

There are any number of people out there quoting 1 month, 3 months, 6 months etc. -- so what? Just because he is the "director of a[n] action committee" that happens to be in the same time zone as Washington D.C. hardly makes this a "government report".

-- RMS (rms_200@hotmail.com), May 04, 1999.

This is a news article. There is no official statement by any government contained in it.

-- read it closely (dont.jump@to.conclusions), May 04, 1999.

The point is my good fellow; it was in a release by the UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY. The implications of which I will not attempt to quailfy, since it would fall on deaf ?ears anyway. Have a great day!

-- spun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), May 04, 1999.

Righto, Mikey: pollies really do misunderstand us, eh? The most juvenile response is the most gratifying:

Pollyannas: nanny nanny boo boo!

If you don't know why this type of press cheers up the "gloomers" by now, you never will.

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), May 04, 1999.

The point is my good fellow; it was in a release by the UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY.

So what? The USIA distributes 'information' of all sorts, government and non-government related, that may be of interest to those who subscribe to it. Nowhere does it even imply that the US government endorses any of the information or opinions contained in it. What if they had not published it? Then you could have crowed about how it was a big coverup and that they were intentionally ignoring any news that didn't match their position. So, damned if the do, damned if they don't! A convenient position to take, Mikey. That way, you can complain and criticize no matter what they do rather than actually trying to read and understand the item.

The implications of which I will not attempt to quailfy, since it would fall on deaf ?ears anyway.

Translation -- (1) it doesn't mean anything and I know it so I will try to arrogant so I don't have to justify what I write (2) I have no idea what it means and I would look even more stupid if I persisted in trying to spin this into a 'governement report'.

You have a great day, too!!

-- RMS (rms_200@hotmail.com), May 04, 1999.

This is the USIA reporting on what some "community activists" had to say about Y2K preparedness. If you are going to "spin," you can find much better material out there (check Y2Knewswire). Perhaps you can show me where FEMA advises 30 days of "preparation." Y2K (and the potential effects) falls directly within its jurisdiction. How about ANY government agency that has directly advised citizen to store water, food and other supplies for an extended period? (Try civil defense... they may have some advice left over from the Cold War.)

There is credible evidence on both sides of the Y2K discussion. Several of the "pessimists" here have been articulate and thoughtful... as have some of the so-called "pollys." I think this weak attempt at "spin" will be dismissed by the thoughtful on both sides of the debate.

And, Lisa, "nanny boo?"

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 04, 1999.

RMS, why are you getting agitated?

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), May 04, 1999.

off RMS

off RMS

oh well

-- Lisa, Perhaps I missed something or read something into this

http://usia.gov .....etc etc etc

Doesn't gov stand for government?

Don't they still have censors, editors and the like?

Please advise.

What part of this is so confusing?

Isn't this a GOOD THING!!!?

-- spun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), May 04, 1999.

IMHO it would have to be "politically correct" if a major government agency is going to publish this. Interestingly, it goes along with the theory that the government is slowly increasing the recommended preparation period so the general populace doesn't get excited. Ah, with the exception of GI's of course. But anyway, a possibly meaningful question to ask is is the recommended period mentioned in any govt agency report will eventually be more than 30 days...say, 45.

Sincerely, Apple (Semper Fi)

-- Apple (villarta@itsnet.com), May 04, 1999.

Lisa,

Remember, you're amongst the intelligensia here. The correct invective would be, "NYAH NYAH NA NYAH NAAAAAHHHHH."

-- Stephen M. Poole, CET (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), May 04, 1999.

I'm not agitated, Lisa. Just annoyed. Myopic doomers like Sysman come on all high and mighty demanding irrefutable facts about everything if you are the least bit a polly and then let blatant lies like this from his fellow doomers pass with nary a comment. At least Mikey picked a good monicker.

BTW, the same day this article was published the USIS had an article about the upcoming Cuba vs. Baltimore baseball game!

-- RMS (rms_200@hotmail.com), May 04, 1999.

Apple - I agree. If I were a y2k czar, senator of a y2k committee or emergency agency that wanted to have people prepare without a panic that would overwhelm the JIT system, I might tell them to prepare for 3 days, then say there is new info. justifying a week, then a month, etc. It is difficult to create just the right amount of tension so that people and the economy remain as productive as possible for as long as possible, yet attain some level of preparedness.

Unfortunately, the attention span of the general population is so short that they fall into a lulling hypnosis in response to this strategy or feel that they have plenty of time to do it later when the government makes up its mind what to recommend. The awareness of impending personal risk has to pass over a critical individual threshold, like a GIT epiphany, before individuals are jolted into action. It is likely that preparers will become motivated into action in waves as these risk thresholds are exceeded.

As time passes and competition for supplies increases, people are unlikely to add a little to the shopping cart each week and are more likely to respond with whatever it takes to attain some sense of control over the risk. The more the item desired (money, food, alternative enrgy, gasoline) is perceived as in short supply and likely to be unavailable or more costly, the harder it will be hit with each wave. That is simply human nature.

Just my humble opinion.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), May 04, 1999.

See also thread ...

Community Leaders Cite Need For Community Awareness Of Y2K (Recommends One Month Stockpile) (USIA)

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 000mXE

With some additional notations one the Koskinen connection.

BTW, if you had read the message back and forth between the Coalition 2000 group, mad up of lots of city planners and emergency management, youd have watched the raging discussions on how Koskinens group was advocating longer prep times ... up to three weeks for officials ... while recommending 3 days to the general public.

In order to have their Contingency Plans accepted, the Coalition 2000 group had to back off publicly recommending longer prep times.

Just thought youd like to know that.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 04, 1999.

I wish I wouldn't step in this and I hope my shoes won't get dirty. However, I have something for you (Mike, Lisa, RMS, and Mr. Decker) and the others to think about. As the heroes of yesterday and today are seen on the television screen pulling people out of the rubble, searching for people under the rubble, and providing care to the survivors and those who are grieving, let us be inspired by their humanity (the best of it, that is) and bring some civility to our little forum. It's about time we saw that we can all be friends here.

I know the flames have been hot and that the unkindest words have had a bite that is not easily forgotten... there's no pretending that some of us are friends, but yet there is something here in this forum that can make friends of us all-- whatever reasonable opinions you hold. I, myself, often enjoy Mssrs. Poole and Decker's writings and RMS had an interesting point to make, however, unkindly expressed as he began to make his point. Mikey and Lisa may be a little enthusiastic at times, but they mean to do good and their search for truth might better be appreciated... as Mr. Poole's search and Mr. Decker's deconstructions.

Reading the various viewpoints is so very interesting, and especially when I don't see people getting hurt or hurting each other. Somewhere in between is the truth... and not just about Y2K! There is more here than Y2K-- if you don't see it now, try and see if you can see it as we continue this journey of sorts. This is as good reading as Homer's Oddyssey. perhaps, better. Here, symbols do not mediate the realities. Perhaps, it is better because we are ourselves on the great journey.

Today, you might not be seen in public with these various characters. Who knows if they have table manners or if they are emotionally dead (seemingly incapable of a fellow feeling for other human beings). Yet, tomorrow is different. There's a little time to become more human for all of us. There's even a little time to nurture just a sprout-like growth of a virtue or two... in time for the New Year. I have typed it before, but it needs repeating: Whatever happens on January 1, 2000, the increased ability to do good is a thing that there is a need for.

And whatever happens to each person here, individually, after the New Year... whether we go away because nothing happened or we die in our tracks, trying to get out of the city or defending ourselves from Decker's crack military teams, we shall each live on in the memories of the others that were here. Hopefully, that life that is lived as a memory will be good one. Whenever I may meet my maker, I'd dislike to be hounded in eternity by echoes of utterings (new and long past) such as "Good Riddance!"

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 04, 1999.

-- Marsh

You hit the nail on the head precisely in regards to your statement about human nature and shortages. I was a purchasing agent during the '73-4 recession, so I had a portal to the inside workings of the supply chain debacle. Eventually resulting in double digit inflation, double digit interest rates, double digit unemployment, gas lines, bankrupicies etc. etc, (far more than 3days, 5days, 30days.) I still believe to this day it was a staged event. A cake walk to what faces us now. But I digress... let us see if we can lead them to water..

USIA (or) USIS is within the executive branch of the US Government; ---soon to be within the Dept of State---

USIA has 190 posts in 142 countries

USIA has a annual budget of around $1 billion US dollars

Within it's auspices are Voice of America,...Radio Free Europe,...Radio Free Asia,...Radio Liberty,...Radio and TV Marti (Cuba) and Worldnet TV.

If such such and expansive information system deems a story important enough to publish, out of the (let's guess here) millions of possible story lines, and the story makes mention of a suggestion of stockpiling (preparing) for "at least" a 30 day period, it will without doubt raise awareness, stir some to action, and make those of us who care about our fellow citizenery, a bit more optomistic. IMHO this Sub-headline was no mistake.

Much like the supermarket, the "shelf space for news items" is a premium commodity and is not taken flipantly, by the Government.

-- spun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), May 04, 1999.

Across U.S.A. come 12-30 10% 1-5 days food available,65% 5-21 days,25% more than 21 days on hand, Anyone think these numbers are far off?

-- bud (bud@computers edge.com), May 04, 1999.

Stan,

I have sworn to use my powers only for good... (laughter).

Crack military teams? (laughter) Worry not, Stan, my days of camoflauge, concealment and cover have long since passed. Now, like most, I hope my days are long and peaceful... including all of the year 2000.

I have no desire to "deconstruct" the enthusiastic pessimists. I simply find a government reprint of a "community activist's" comments less than compelling. While I know the preponderance of good news weighs heavy on the "optimistically-challenged," there is enough bad news to keep them happy. (laughter)

I will do better, however, to keep my sunshine from ruining the rainy day parade.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 04, 1999.

Mr. Decker,

You see. Not only my shoes... I'm in it up to my neck. (laughing)

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 05, 1999.