hey what gives?we gave you our personal information,but you haven't answered yourself,put up,baby!got beans?

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), May 17, 1999

Answers

You expect an honest reply from Decker? There are reasons that people call him Double-Decker.

-- R. Watt (rkwatt@hotmail.com), May 17, 1999.

I thought this forum was run on a voluntary basis.

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), May 17, 1999.

Patience, please. I will post my thoughts on preparation.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 17, 1999.

Waiting for Decker's mental bowels to move...

-- a (a@a.a), May 17, 1999.

go get him, _a_ you butch .mil guy!

-- dave (idiotdave@infi.net), May 17, 1999.

Zoobie, when I posted an answer to Mr Decker's question, perhaps I was naive in expecting fair play, tit for tat.

Mr. Decker, I'm disappointed in you. This is not a forum for scientific sampling; this is supposed to be an exchange of information among peers.

You asked a fair question, you received some honest answers; did you expect to pay nothing for this exchange?

-- Spindoc' (spindoc_99_2000@yahoo.com), May 17, 1999.

Gee, was it something I said?

-- Elbow Grease (Elbow_Grease@AutoShop.com), May 18, 1999.

Patience, troops. SOME of us try to give some thought to what we post. i however have found this highly over rated except in th emost extreme cases...

Chuck

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), May 18, 1999.

Patience? Go back and look at the original thread. Decker asked his question on May 14. There were around 22 thoughtful responses and about the same not-so-thoughtful. In addition there were about 6 more posts from Decker urging responses to his question. On the 15th there were another 9 or so not-so-thoughtful responses to Decker. Nothing on the 16th. On the 17th Decker returned from a weekend at his country retreat (but didn't plant his peonies). He said he hoped on his return to find something interesting in response to his question but didn't. That got him some more responses and there was another post from Decker. Then one more not-so-thoughtful answer.

22 people were polite enough to answer his question on the very same day he posted it; if he says on the 17th: " I'll post my numbers, perhaps on a new thread... though I am not sure I will wait until you manage to parse a civil request," I think those two things indicate a quick response, don't you? Decker doesn't always take this long to come up with an answer, he's always been quick off the mark before. What's the hold-up, Decker? Anybody who can post 7 times on the same day to one thread ought to be able to come up with something.

-- Squirrel (nut@acorn.com), May 18, 1999.

My apologies. I have been quite busy and somewhat under the weather. I plan to finish something within the next few days. (I hope no one has decided to wait on preparations until they have read my post... (laughter))

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 18, 1999.

Decker, you just never know...

playin' with a toy,

The Dog

-- Dog (cmpennell@juno.com), May 18, 1999.

I smell a rat.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 18, 1999.

Thank you, Mr. Decker,

I look forward to your reply with interest. However, I do not understand why your answer should require any "preparation", unless you are going to answer your own original question: how much is excessive? Zoobie's question (and mine, and I'm sure many others who responded) is: what is YOUR level of preparation? I responded to your request by describing how MY family is preparing, given our particular and unique circumstances. How others choose to prepare depend on THEIR circumstances, and quite frankly, I would not presume to know what those are. That was the point.

My reply took a grand total of 10 minutes of my valuable time. This is a straitforward request to return in kind. No deep cogitating should be needed, I would be perfectly satisfied with a descriptive bullet for each of your 8 questions. I don't believe we are asking for the unreasonable. Would it help if I said "Please"? I know civility appears to be important to you.

-- Spindoc' (spindoc_99_2000@yahoo.com), May 18, 1999.

The best starting place for preparations:

http://www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/Y2K.html

1. Water storage: seven days.

Rationale: At one gallon per day per person, the average family of five can survive from the water in the water heater for at least a week. The first priority of any emergency response will be the restoration of water and power. Potable water can also be gathered from alternative sources. For the nervous optimist buy a small filtration unit. (By the way, if an area did not have water for seven days, sanitation would become a really big problem.)

2. Food storage: 30 days.

Rationale: Those who buy groceries in bulk are likely to have 30+ days in the pantry. For simple frugality, it makes sense to shop at Costco or another wholesale outlet regularly. Example of savings: two pounds of yeast for less than $3. A $300 Costco trip will feed a family of five for a month with modest reliance on rice and beans. Disruptions in the supply chain may impact the availability and PRICE of food, but it is highly unlikely that there would be NO food available for longer than 30 days.

On a side note, when hunting every fall, I carry Gaines Burgers as a survival food. Why? Because there is no way I am eating dog food unless it is a matter of survival. Just a thought.

3. Total Y2K preparation budget: No more than $1,000. (Non-camping families may increase to $2,000.)

Rationale: If you enjoy camping on a routine basis, you have most of the basics suggested by the Red Cross sleeping bags, lanterns, flashlights, first aid kit, etc. Unless you are a serious backpacker or mountaineer, you dont have to worry about weight and its the ultra-lightweight camping gear that costs big bucks. One of the best sources of quality, affordable outdoor gear is the Cabelas catalog. Ask for the Fall Master Catalog for best selection.

Another suggestion, if you are frugal, use 20 pound propane tanks instead of the over-priced camping bottles. Fill two 20-lb tanks and you will have cooking and light for several weeks. (A 20-lb propane tank (empty) is about $25 dollars at Costco.)

WARNING: Do not accrue debt to finance preparations. Cut up the charge cards, pay down your debt and build at least six months of savings into a liquid account. If you are worried about banking problems, request December statements and tap your savings to have cashiers checks issued for all of your January bills. 4. Total withdrawals from retirement funds: $0

Rationale: Nervous optimists can park their retirement funds in short-term T Bills without losing any money to taxes or penalties. You can still access your funds in all but a total collapse of the social/economic system. Even if we have the Great Depression II, youll be able to withdraw your money (and perhaps avoid the penalty!)

5. Firearms purchases: $0.

Rationale: If you havent found a reason to own a firearm yet, you might want to sit tight.

6. Relocation: No, unless you are living in a house too large/expensive for your earnings ability.

Rationale: The most likely Y2K risk is economic. Moving to a completely new location often means finding a new job. First in, first out. Downsizing to a smaller house in the same area, though, might allow you to keep your job, save more money and lower your risk.

7. Generator: No, unless you depend on an electric well pump. Alternative heat source: Yes, but hey, who doesnt like a wood stove or fireplace?

8. Silver/Gold: No.

Rationale: A better investment is improving your skills and developing alternative career options. Your education is portable, always available and will last as long as you do. Unlike gold or silver, it cannot be taken (without killing you.)

Sorry for the delay.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 19, 1999.

Never read so much codswallop in my life.

Rationale?

double-decker is an irrational egocentric know-nothing who thinks he knows it all.

Two words. Bullshit advice.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 19, 1999.