maybe a prerequisite for newspaper editors is an inability to perform basic mathematical functions. another annoying trait seems to be there inability to synthesize data, i.e., the headline rarely reflects the conclusion one draws from reading the article.

the headline reads:

"survey: 45% of y2k experts worry"

about 45%think it's going to be a bump in the road and about 45% think it's going to have significant impact," says Bruce Webster, author of the survey professionals fixing or tracking the computer glitch. "And about 10% think it's going to be the end of the world as we know it." what about that 10% that think it is teotwawki... they're not worried? humor me, i'm going to ask you to take a giant leap and arbitrarily throw them in the 'worried' category.

now the headline reads:

"survey: 55% of y2k experts worry"

this is, of course, not a 'politically correct' headline.

White House "Y2K czar" John Koskinen takes issue with polls and surveys. " No one can tell you with any certainty what the end of the year is going to look like because so much work is still under way."

that's right folks... all those industry analysts and political analysts advocate throwing away millions of dollars on polls and surveys because they _do not_ work.

and now for the best part.

Koskinen says, "The basic infrastructure is going to hold.There are going to be glitches lasting hours. for example, we don't see any indication that there will be regional brownouts or blackouts lasting two or three days." And he expects the IRS "to be declared Y2K ready in several days." Reported by USA Today, http://www.usatoday.com i think that he believes we came down in the last shower. right after he says that "no one can tell you with any certainty what the end of the year will be like..." he announces unequivocally that there are going to be glitches lasting hours. i don't believe that any of the enginners on this forum would make a ridiculous comment like that.

and Then... to add even more credibility to his already shaky conclusions. he announces that the *IRS* [you remember them, they are the ones with the 400 million lines of code in need of remediation] will be ready.

and 'they' wonder why we don't believe a word that 'they' say.

but don't *panic* folks... everything is under control.

http://www.cnnfn.com/digitaljam/newsbytes/131806.html

-- Anonymous, June 11, 1999

Answers

I gave up on Koskinen a long time ago. He makes one statement and the next day makes the opposite statement. He has done this for many months. His comments mean nothing. Marcella

-- Anonymous, June 11, 1999

Marcella:

Koski is a lawyer would you expect otherwise?

-- Anonymous, June 11, 1999

He is a crintonite - the minute he opens his mouth you know you can't believe anything he says

-- Anonymous, June 13, 1999

The 10% who believe TEOTWAWKI is coming have been given the equivalent of a frontal lobotomy by their paralyzing fear. Thus, they are too far out there to worry.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 1999