I've gotten so frustrated with the endless "debating" and name calling between the pollys and doomers that I've vowed to devote the rest of the time we have left to help my family and TRY to help my community. So here's a challenge to all you doomers out there to put up or shut up:

Yesterday, I called my local cable company and scheduled a four part, two hour taping of a Y2k presentation I've been giving in my area since last August. It's absolutely free; you don't even have to buy the video tape. I'm told in airs three times before it's replaced with something else. Gee, can you imagine if a bunch of us lined up to make such a presentation within the same community? There'd be non-stop Y2k TRUTH TELLING. A doomer's dream come true.

Remember, when they have a coup in a bananna repuplic, what's their first objective? Why I do believe it's the TV and radio stations. Need I say more? GO FOR IT!

Roger

-- Dr. Roger Altman (rogaltman@aol.com), May 27, 1999

Answers

My understanding is that when there's a coup at Banana Republic, the first thing they do is replace the season's focus on Irish Linen and Suede with Gaberdine and Chinos. But, I could be mistaken. That could be the Gap I'm thnking of.

-- Fashion Consultant (what's@hot.this season?), May 27, 1999.

Thank you Dr. Altman for DOING. In my own modest way I've stepped out myself and firmly believe that this is an important service to the community. I'm not waiting for official Community Conversations.

I also appreciate your making it free. I've done the same. Not everyone can afford both to prepare AND buy all the literature or internet access we may have in order to prepare. It also prevents them from saying I'm only saying they should prepare because I'm selling preparation items.

Thanks to all of you who are impacting your communities in whatever extent you can.

-- Kay (jkbrooks@bellsouth.net), May 27, 1999.

Sorry for the misunderstanding... the CABLE COMPANY will tape you free, and you don't have to pay for THAT tape. As far a MY tape is concerned, because of prior commitments, I won't be taping for another couple of weeks, and after that, it doesn't revert to my control until it airs three times. So I might get it before the new millennium, who knows?

Roger

-- Dr. Roger Altman (rogaltman@aol.com), May 27, 1999.

Roger,

I try to help my local Silicon Valley news media with Y2K leads, information and research.

It's another way to assist the locals... in anyone's home town.

Just got a phone call and "e" request yesterday from a reporter at Silicon Valley's San Jose Mercury News. Her request...

"Diane-- I'm looking for information that can help with a story we're doing on how well prepared our local governments are for y2k. We're surveying all the cities/counties, etc. in the area to see what they've done, if they've inventoried, tested, remediated, met their schedules, etc. I wondered if you knew much about the status of local agencies in the area. Any other information you have that might apply to the story is also welcome."

Interestingly, she did NOT watch the 60-minutes DC spot on Sunday nite, but I'll bet her Editor did!

Couple that with Tuesday's Preparedness & Media testimony, and I conclude... somebody's "waking-up!" (I sincerely hope!)

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 27, 1999.

Diane:

Sounds like you're doing a great job. Don't get me wrong, I didn't mean to say that this approach was the ONLY way to make a difference.

Roger

-- Dr. Roger Altman (rogaltman@aol.com), May 27, 1999.

I've done TV interviews, I've kept the local reporters on my mailing list, I've been active in our local Y2K committee. Results: just about as useful (pardon me) as a fart in a windstorm. Still trying.

-- Jon Williamson (pssomerville@sprintmail.com), May 27, 1999.

If you like beating your head against the wall trying to get the attention of the herd, feel free. I don't. You can beat them on the head to get their attention, show them your documentary, and they'll go back to chewing their cuds.

Think, guys -- what's gonna happen is gonna happen. You can't "enlighten" enough of the dolts to make any difference. ANY THAT YOU DO ENLIGHTEN WILL BE IN COMPETITION WITH YOU FOR PREPARATION RESOURCES, RAISING YOUR COSTS OF PREPARATION (FOR GOODS AND LAND)

-- A (A@AisA.com), May 27, 1999.

Doc,

Did you consider that your community (and perhaps even some in your family) might not WANT your 'help' right now? The vast majority of people today seem perfectly happy with things as they are and don't want to consider "bad things" of any kind.

As a sorting mechanism I suggest you ask whatever prospective audience you expect to have (or a sample if the group is too large) two questions: 1) Do you have a will, and 2) When was the last time you modified your will to accomodate significant life changes (getting married/divorced, having children etc.), if you have one?

If you get a preponderance of blank looks, I'd suggest you concentrate on preparing yourself and your family as best you can and leave it at that. Either way I applaud your openheartedness and wish you much luck in the undertaking.

-- Lee (lplapin@hotmail.com), May 27, 1999.

"A" is the only true believer on this thread. and an honest one at that. if the rest of you believed what you were saying you would shut up just like "A", and go about your preps. but maybe you don't really believe and you just like being part of a "group"

-- aaa (aaa@aaa.aaa), May 27, 1999.

I agree with the "true believer" part, for sure.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), May 27, 1999.

I probably could get some public attention. However, even with the extremely low criteria for determining Y2K "experts", I still don't cut it. You want a sofabed up to your 3rd floor loft, you call me. You want global economic/technical/mass psychology predictions - I'm not your guy.

I talk Y2K with the few people who have any reason to respect my opinion. Outside of them, I don't think I can handle the role of public educator.

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), May 27, 1999.

You can get through to the DGI's. Let me give you an example: Last Tuesday I gave a Y2k presentation to about 50 people. Before I spoke I polled the audience about how severe they thought Y2k will be. They all voted that Y2k would be a bump in the road or less. After my 1 1/2 hour presentation, I re-polled the audience. Only one person voted bump in the road. The interesting thing was that a relatively large percentage refused to vote for the other two choices as well (choice 2 was a recession, and choice 3 was a depression or worse). I'm telling you these people were shook up, and they were having trouble dealing with their emotions. Many of them signed up to become part of my email list to receive further information. I don't know how many will begin to prepare, but even if only one becomes "Y2k ready", it was worth all the effort.

This comment is for the doomer who is afraid that by talking up the dangers of Y2k that more people will prepare leaving less supplies available for the rest of us:

I believe we will be judged by how we live our lives, and frankly, you may talk tough now, but if you're a decent human being, I doubt very much that when TSHTF you wouldn't share your stash with your neighbors. Therefore, it's in your self-interest to inform them as much as possible now so that they will make their own preparations and not be dependent on you.

Roger

-- Dr. Roger Altman (rogaltman@aol.com), May 27, 1999.

I have been forbidden by my Board of Directors from formally speaking out in public on y2k. My president believes it will be a non-event and that my views are alarmist. I do, however maintain a y2k informational website. (He does not have a computer and has no idea what is on there - lol.)

Many in the community know I am preparing. (Hard to do anything in a small town without others knowing.) If asked, I share my concerns. When I speak to the politicos at functions, I bring y2k into the conversation and share my concerns.

I am often asked - "Are you still preparing for y2k? So and so said you were." I believe that if more people admitted they were preparing, then it would become the acceptable local norm. Look at Senator Bennett. He has already admitted to having a large capacity water storage tank and I read somewhere that he said his daughter has stored a garage full of food.

-- anon (anon@anon.com), May 28, 1999.

Flint -- actually I'm not a true believer. I oscillate hourly between being a "3" and a "10". I have made some preps, but far from ready for a "10". I am have been preparing gradually for some time, but don't know if I ever will be prepared for a "10" (even an "8"). Finances preclude that; I would like to be so prepared. Even though I'm in better financial shape in some ways than probably 80-90% of those in say, the U.S., but to really be prepared would be impossible for me. Probably I'm not as good a shape as many of the posters here.

I think that many DGIs and DWGIs are that way because they know that there is no way they can get even prepared for a "3" or "4". So they ignore it and/or hope for the best (it's called "denial" -- is that you?)

-- A (A@AisA.com), May 28, 1999.

Dr. Altman - kudos,

I've tried and failed (about 95% failure rate) with friends, family and associates over the last 18 months for them to take y2k seriously. I have pretty much given up. What will be will be, don't see what more I can do - one brother in Orange County, CA, bad nabe - next to a 7-11 - water pumped a LONG way to that part of the country - one brother in San Francisco - densely populated town, not much of a history of rioting but it could happen. They get it but won't act on the logic - so that's it - done deal. Other brother on the Rogue River in OR, just wanted to escape the rat race - sorta get's it. he'll do OK.

I'm prepared for a 10 spiritually, hoping for a 2-3. Ain't gonna happen.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 28, 1999.

Measure up?

6 mo's food, 450 gallons water, Berkefeld water filter, 220 gallons gasoline, 20kW ng/propane-fueled generator, 500 gallon "aux" propane tank, propane conversion kit for ng furnace, piping/valving to re- reroute propane back into the house.

Just got the last of my "critical" items yesterday. (24 5-gallon food buckets)

All that's left is more food. I am now considered the neighborhood nut. I live in a small town (10,000 people), but it's only 20 miles from Minneapolis.

I have tried to educate the neighbors, but they won't even discuss it (surprise!). If they show up at my door, I'll feed/house them overnight, then direct them politely but firmly to the nearest public shelter.

Here's a great article on the issue:

http://www.michaelhyatt.com/editorials/wrong.htm

217 days remain. About 5200 hours.

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), May 28, 1999.

Mr. Olson, are you the Mr. Olson I see over at CNN's Y2K board?

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), May 28, 1999.

I recently wrote the following article for my home owners association newletter:

ARE YOU Y2K OK?

With approximately 8 months left until the start of the new millennium, it is time for "XXX" Homeowners to begin thinking about preparing for the Year 2000 Computing Crisis or Y2K for short.

This computer glitch has the potential to disrupt basic services we all take for granted, such as power, water and telephone service delivery, food delivery to grocery stores and banking disruptions. Our government and businesses are currently preparing contingency plans in the event that their systems are not fixed in time. You should be doing the same.

The American Red Cross is suggesting that families prepare by:

| Stocking up on at least one week of non-perishable food, water and basic necessities (alternative lighting and heating, personal hygiene items, etc.) - Stocking extra medications (prescription and non prescription) - Having extra cash on hand - Securing hard copies of personal and financial information - Filling your gas tank prior to 12/31/1999

If indeed such disruptions occur, no one knows how severe or prolonged they will be. It is therefore prudent to "insure" you family against these possibilities and be prepared to assist your neighbors with special needs. Do it soon, before it becomes necessary...we all know how crazy the grocery store is on the eve of a storm!

If you are interested in participating in a neighborhood preparedness group or would like additional reference information, please contact ...

*********************************************************************************

I received ONE phone call.

Oh well, maybe it got some of them thinking...

R.

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), May 28, 1999.

Yes Lisa, I post there from time to time. I try to keep it "mainstream" stuff.

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), May 28, 1999.

meASurE up??????? jACkaL!!!! wHAT PArt OF dIETEr dO YOu wiSH TO MeaSURe???? dIEteR LooKS BEttER In ceNTimeTERs, RAtheR THan inCHeS IS thAT NOt SO??????? hyENa!!!!!

-- Dieter (questions@toask.com), May 28, 1999.

Dieter still posting like that trench coat mafia kid who shot up that school. Has a simular attitude also.

-- BOB (yep@tsting.this), May 28, 1999.

Changing the color back.....?

-- i hear (curiousity@got.de_cat), May 28, 1999.