I have posted 2 times to this forum over the last year. Otherwise I have been just lurking trying to understand what we face with Y2k. I have read way more than is healthy for my mind and spirit with regard to this. My wife calls me an information hound. I am not a computer expert, but I am able to gather information and from that project an outcome.

I first learned about this problem 1 year ago when i read an article in the local paper (Minneapolis Star/Tribune). I could immediately see that we faced trouble ahead. I sat down with my family and explained to them the best I could about y2k. I sat down with my pastor and showed him the govt reports and other credible documents that showed me that it would be a problem. To this day they havent done a thing to prepare. I have reached a point where I dont even bring it up anymore. Ive talked to my neighbors and some of them agree it may be a problem, but they havent done anything to prepare. My friends question my sanity. I question my sanity.

This forum has been a valuable resource for me. Thanks to all of you who contribute regularly.

As I see it, here is what we face:

1) economic turmoil--including rationing of cash, stock market drop, worldwide recession.

2) lights out/power off for at least a couple of weeks--which is nothing to sneeze at when you are living in MN in January.

3) JIT inventory supply problems with food, drugs, and other vital commodities.

4) Expensive or rationed gas for my car.

5) Public Panic as the date nears.

6) Lawlessness

7) Martial Law

8) Slow recovery time (at least a year until back to "normal")

9) Many tough personal decisions (who to help or not?)

10) A life outlook altering event

I am not a doomer. I do believe that we can get through this. It will take a while, but I think we will recover. Just my opinion.

I am angry at our government for spinning this into a non-event. It will make the panic that much worse. Any idiot who reads can tell that we are in trouble at least for the short term. What gets me is the government says its gonna be ok at the same time that they are passing legislation providing legal immunity for all of the companies that created the problem in the first place. In my simple consumer mind, it seems to me that if I purchased an item that fails due to y2k (what the insurance industry says is a foreseeable problem), then the maker of that procuct should replace it or fix it free of charge. I can only imagine the pressure that must have been applied to Bill Clinton to make him shaft the trial lawyers like he did. There is a significant discontinuity between what the government says to the public and the legislation they are passing. My father always said follow the money and you will find the truth. Once again, the consumer is left holding the bag!!

I have 2 young daughters and I have done my best to prepare our family for this debacle. My biggest concern are the other unprepared folks. I cant take care of everyone and I'm going to have to make some tough decisions with regard to neighbors and friends. I am an Eagle scout and have the necessary skills to survive. I hope the others come around soon.

Back to lurker mode. Thanks for the great forum.

-- Incredulous (cantbelieveit@aol.com), July 06, 1999

Answers

The only disagreement I would have with you is that it's likely to be a lot more than a year before things are back to "normal" (however you define that). Otherwise, you have it pretty much figured out. Good luck with your preparations and don't let the DGIs get you down.
One more point though: if you're in a highly populated area, don't stay there for rollover. No matter how prepared you are, you won't survive a high-level Y2K event if there are lots of unprepared people around you. It's better to take your chances in a simply equipped bug-out place than in the nicest suburb.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), July 06, 1999.

in,

time is of the essence. since you are late to the prep game, shut off your computer and get busy. you already have the eagle creds so get going and "be prepared

-- corrine l (corrine@iwaynet.net), July 06, 1999.

Incredulous

Pretty fair synopsis. Global problems will make recovery much longer. I, too, believe that staying in an urban area is jacking the odds way up.

Might want to think about no gas for your car for a while.

-- Mike Lang (webflier@erols.com), July 06, 1999.

Incredulous, Your appraisal sounds unfortunately realistic. I am very grateful that my sister and friends are prepping. But, like you, I am afraid to face the burden of being an eating person when those around us are not eating. But we will not have the food for anyone but ourselves--hopefully we will have enough food for ourselves! I wish that part were going to be simple, but it isn't. Very best wishes.

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWAyne@aol.com), July 06, 1999.

The big picture stuff.

IMOH not something alot of folk like dwelling on. As you have noted looking at all the pieces can test the sanity. Good luck!

-- Brian (imager@home.com), July 06, 1999.

that should be IMHO

ScHoLAR 1!1!1!1!

-- Brian (imager@home.com), July 06, 1999.

You're not alone, by any means. Just one question...#s 2 through 7. If given serious consideration, wouldn't you say theory #1 is pretty hopeful? The word recession seems rather 'happy faced' when considering the others! You're assuming the banking industry will remain intact and the market won't spiral past a 'drop'? I sure wouldn't rule out Depression. Not trying to depress you any further than you already are. Just do the best you can and avoid human contact whenever possible. We humans aren't nearly as admirable as we like to think we are!

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), July 06, 1999.

Incredulous: you forgot

11. Hillary in the US Senate :)

-- a (a@a.a), July 06, 1999.

Agree with the rest, your analysis is basically in line with most here, and my own.

One point: trying to convince/inform others has been one of the most discouraging things for me. Friends have said "You may be right, I'm concerned too." --- but they do absolutely nothing to prepare. I even went so far as to buy a generator for the church I attend (pastor is a GI), now we are trying to get the "trustees" to buy the fuel. They've been "working on it" for over 3 months. Like, I seldom bring it up anymore --- just not productive. And I always wanted a generator anyway, even though I originally planned to do without (I don't see the point of "giving" the church a generator if they have no fuel --- and I'm about tapped out).

So good-luck, we're right there with you. Don't beat yourself over the head because others won't do what they really know they SHOULD.

-- Jon Johmson (narnia4@usa.net), July 06, 1999.

i agree with you- however- regardless of what the government/utilities SAY one doesn't have to be too bright to look at how they're acting- spending billions etc. to realize that their actions are speaking. and everyone has Y2K fatigue right now. it's all been said so often people are tone deaf. But our grocery stores tell us that mmore people are preparing than are visible or identified. And families/friends are the last to believe or prepare- after all you are- they don't have to worry. Does anyone know of any churches that are doing anything- or communities stockpiling food?-Rachel

-- rachel windsong (windstar@nnorthcoast.com), July 06, 1999.