I have to admit, I have been so preoccupied for the past dozen years with the day to day that I really didn't pay enough attention to the worldwide scene. Now, for the past year, since I realized Y2K and since I am on the net, I am too informed about everything. I am trying to get a perspective from anyone who has been watching worldwide trends and events closely for a long time and tell me is this period of time really as bad I think it is??? Lets say not including Y2k(at least for a minute). I mean everything else that's on top of that. It seems to be so destablized the past few months. Or has it always been seriously on the brink and I was too busy trying to take care of the kids to really know the truth. Thank you for your input. a mom

-- a mom (real@bad.com), May 12, 1999

Answers

It depends on how old you are. But in 1989, we won the Cold War. In 1999, Bill Clinton restarted it. Now there are nukes all over the place in the hands of unstable governments and god knows who else.

Biological weapons are proliferating. Cyber-attacks are occuring.

America has lost the moral authority to lead the world, thanks to this Administration.

Fortunately, the preparations you would make for Y2K are the same preparations you would make to protect yourself against these other dangers.

Yeah, we're on the brink of many of these things and we weren't before.

-- Doug (douglasjohnson@prodigy.net), May 12, 1999.

I feel the exact same way, like this is the worst period of my lifetime. No, I don't remember things being this ugly before, but I guess I wouldn't say that if I were not a GI.

-- The Outcast (Somewhere@SouthernEurope.eu), May 12, 1999.

Dear mom", Try to think on the positive side. Your prividileged to witness the end of a " golden era " (?), and know when it will end . Think of the end of the great empire/age of Crete; they had no idea that a volcano would blow up a few hundred miles away , and a tital wave wouuld destroy them in an instant. You have TIME to plan; think of the things that you would want your children/family to see that you will not see in your lifetime again AND in it's present condition. I wonder how many thousands of dollars people would pay to see Athens at it's height of artistic beauty and speak to Aristotle/Plato/Socrates for just a few moments ? Take a few trips/holidays you always wanted too, and you'll have wonderful memories to talk about while slaving in the fields or around the fire at night . Treat every day as a gift from God ! IT IS !!! Eagle

-- Hal Walker (e999eagle@freewwweb.com), May 12, 1999.

It depends on who you are.

Great strides have been made by "minorities" (that 89% of the world's population) in Western nations. Third-world countries have seen tremendous growth. Investors in the stock-market (some) have made a fortune! Those who work with "high-tech" are having a ball! Medical advances are amazing.

On the other hand, there have been tremendous declines in the quality of life for "the average Joe" middle-class white-guy in Western nations. Where no "affirmative action" is available for jobs & school, middle class life (and the associated decline in morals/values) becomes a real bummer.

I leave Y2K and WW III to those with a better crystal-ball...

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@Anonymous99.xxx), May 12, 1999.

Just like Y2K, no one can say AbSOLUTELY what will happen, so try not to be to negative --- life goes on. On the other hand, we are never guaranteed by God or nature that we won't face diasters in our life: we (USA in general) have been on easy street (comparatively) since Viet Nam. Many here would agree with you on the general idea that "chickens come home to roost". Not only on Y2K or our immoral leaderships idiot plans/mistakes. Take the last discussion about "minorities" and affirmative action. While not arguing about what is right/wrong, people should realize that MANY white males have felt abused and "cheated" by affirmative action. Some to the point of total frustration and anger. Similar feeling for inner city young blacks --- these things cannot go unresolved fore-ever. It appears many injustices (real or perceived), international disputes and envy, and other areas are about ready to boil over. We're closer to the brink than we have been for many years. All thats needed is the right fuse. HMMMMMMMMMMM --- what might that be, possibly?

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), May 12, 1999.

Hi Mom, Yes I know exactly how you feel. I have three young children and am so worried about what they will see in their lifetime.The spin and hype being put about right now is in my mind more telling than if they (gov) just came right out and said "Things are gonna get bad". Believe in your natural ability to do what you have to do in getting through this mess.I don't believe the world's going to end, but it might be a crappy place to live for a while. Do your family justice in remaining prepared for (almost) anything. This may well mean purchasing things that you won't use in any other event. For example, I don't remember ever in my life thinking I needed a solar powered radio, or that dried beef might taste very good someday! Good Luck and God Bless

-- another mom (sjbaker@prodigy.net), May 12, 1999.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a thousand times worse than this. We were truly on the verge of nuclear holocaust at that time. Except maybe for Pearl Harbor there has never been a moment in American history as serious as the Kennedy--Kruschev staredown.

-- Doc Mortar (xit007@email.com), May 12, 1999.

Mom: I get the same fellings about our future at times. Part of my problem is I'm getting information overload. Between T.V. news, Radio and the Web it gets a little overwhelming.Take MSNBC. They take one subject and ride it to death or Putting the Presidents state of the nation address on hold for an hour so they could cover the O.J. Simpson verdict. Give me a break.. Now with the NATO action in Yugoslavia we're hear about troop numbers , how many planes in the air, armor on the ground and oh dont forget them telling the world the U.S. is close to running out of bombs. I may be wrong, but in the past letting out information such as that was called espionage and you could get shot for such a crime. I like to keep informed and prepared for events likely to come our way, but sometimes a nice little side trip into ignorant bliss is better than a vacation. Hang in there Mom and good luck

-- Capt Dennis (souza@ptialaska.net), May 12, 1999.

Predicting the future is risky business (just ask any economist!). Various groups have predicted the end of the world based on some model that fit their belief system (usually religious). When the big day came and God didn't show up on television or the mountains didn't fall, it was time to reformat the model or disband the group. Two thoughts come to my mind in looking at current events and trying to discern the future:"we didn't start the fire, it was always burning since the world was turning" (BJoel); and a paraphrase from the old timer that owned the Spirit Lake Hotel (built in the shadow of Mt. St. Helens). When officials tried to get the old timer to evacuate, his response was that neither he nor that old mountain were going anywere. Within a few weeks the Spirit Lake Hotel resided several hundred feet below the surface of the earth. To use a baseball metaphor, with a count of one and two you may be looking for a fast ball low and away but watch out for the one in your ear.

As for me, I'm using the pending Y2K delima as an excuse to purchase the 150 acres of wilderness I've been dreaming about for a long time ("watch out for the one in your ear").

-- Robie Wood (rwood@dc.jones.com), May 12, 1999.

Mom, remember we can express our concerns to our Congressmen and Senators. Here are two toll free numbers that ring into their offices in WDC.

888-449-3511
800-335-4949

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), May 12, 1999.

Dear Mom- have you ever wondered what it would be like if we mothers "took over"?? Would we really be poised to blow eachothers brains out, nuke the world to pieces, and carry out any of the atrocities going on all over the world?

How about it other mothers? What if we ran the world?

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 12, 1999.

Hey Moms! If we ran the world things would finally make sense, which would be confusing to many people. Our husbands would probably reach their desired weight, through lack of food A +. A - probably wouldn't look too good running around in dirty clothes.What price peace?

-- another mom (sjbaker@prodigy.net), May 12, 1999.

Just get prepared and keep the kids close and you'll be fine.

-- GEC (childsge@msx.upmc.edu), May 12, 1999.

To Anita-

Please save that condescending "I am woman, I know all" crap for your get-togethers with the other arrogant soccer moms who OD on Dr. Laura and the other femi-Nazi's. The media has you all believing that you have the answer for everything but when TSHTF most of you will be cowering in the corner. P.S. These observations are not intended for those women who see through all the media nonsense about the gender wars. I know many of you are comfortable with your femininity and I have nothing but respect for many of you.

-- saveamerica (gfc40@hotmail.net), May 12, 1999.

What worries more, is that this might be the best times of my life! I think it's time to count my blessings again :-)

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), May 12, 1999.

Hi, We have a MCP coming out the bushes.Ever seen a mom defending its young.I don't think we would cower,somehow. I agree with you, Anita, that the world would probably be alot more peaceful without the male warriors.Still they do have their uses..like lifting heavy furniture around.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), May 12, 1999.

YES.

-- FLAME AWAY (BLehman202@aol.com), May 12, 1999.

DearSave america- You've missed the point I'm afraid. If we Mom's ran the world, there wouldn't be any need to cower in the corner(unless you tracked mud in the house of course). Not sure who Dr. laura is and femi-nazi's- ?? But- sure sounds like my message got your testosterone running full tilt. and no- for your info- I don't hate men at all- share my household with several. I'm just recognizing the fact that most mothers would not, in my opinion, be cheerfully waging war on others, raping ethnic albanian women, or dropping bombs on other countries. Just an observation- you can feel free to disagree with it without getting rude and beligerent.

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 12, 1999.

"...arrogant soccer moms who OD on Dr. Laura and the other femi- Nazi's."

???Huh???

Dr. Laura is definately QUITE firm about what she says, but she is a die-hard social conservative. She is anything BUT a "femi-Nazi". The "femi-Nazi" label generally refers to hard-core liberal (usually queer) bitches like Jane Fonda, or the NOW gang.

Your mileage may vary...

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@Anonymous99.xxx), May 12, 1999.

I can't see that the quality of life in 3rd-world countries has seen that much improvement.... I'm thinking of Haiti, Somalia, Ruanda, Nigeria, Angola, Congo, Indonesia, -- what did I miss? Some speculators made a gazillion bucks -- and did nothing with it for their countrymen. Not much there to brag about.

As for a mom's question -- yes -- I think the world is in much worse shape now than it was earlier this century -- and the rate of change is increasing.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), May 12, 1999.

Anita, you disappoint me.

As far as women ruling the world, I think that Kim Campbell of Canada is so far the only female Prime Minister not to get her country in a war.

Indira Ghandi warred with Pakistan.

Margaret Thatcher warred with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.

Golda Meir warred with the Arabs.

Spare me the women = peace malarkey.

-- GA Russell (garussell@russellga.com), May 13, 1999.

GAR, but Kim had some severe disadvantages :

1) Canuckia being a generally boring place, has few continuing enemies

2) She was in power for only a very short time

3) Even so, she managed to have a military scandal.

Maybe she just didn't have Slick's talent for obfuscation ;-)

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), May 13, 1999.

The women who ascend to positions of power tend to do it "the guy way". they tend towards the same mentality as the other guy rulers of the world. Most of those listed, and might I add janet Reno and types like that, have more balls than some of their male brethren. It's the same with those women who fight to get into West Point and wherever and can't wait to go out and blow someones head off. I don't think they are however, representative of women in general. I just don't believe women are as violent or warmongering as are the average males- again, exceptions exist for members of both sexes.

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 13, 1999.