[snipped away from the cacophony]

There is another way of assessing any postulation of Y2K failures, other than a can't-happen, will-happen debate. Since all people are different and those who are Y2K aware put different levels of probability on types of potential failures, one question I always ask myself is "What can I do about this problem? Are there any effective and reasonable ways of dealing with this information which are to my benefit and within my power to accomplish?" In other words, does having this information help me in some way or just worry me?

In the case of concerns over a nuclear meltdown, what are the options and answers to those questions? At this point in time I think it's quite clear that the nuclear plants (for sure the majority of them) are going to stay online over the rollover. So any further protests or letters to the NRC about shutting them down are a waste of energy. I suppose being on record with a warning would allow an organization to do an "I told you so," if they turn out to be right, but there's no help for the individual there. That leaves the option of hoping we _only_ have a TMI limited release scenario (assuming a crisis just for the intellectual purposes of answering what-to-do questions) and not a Chernobyl or worse. Other than obtaining a supply of KI, the benefit of which is limited, and presumes there will be public awareness of a radiation release before it's already upon you -- and also presumes a radiation release level which is not fatal, the only preventive option is to move to an area a few hundred miles away from any nuclear plant. And then hope the prevailing winds aren't carrying any radiation release your way.

Just getting a good distance temporarily between you and any nuclear plant at the time of the rollover, rather than moving, isn't really a good option because if the plant(s) near where you live do go TMI to Chernobyl, then unless you've taken what you own with you, you still either live as a refugee, go back to some level of irradiated surroundings or you can't ever go back at all.

So it's either stay put and concentrate on whatever things are in your control, or move to where you feel safe and have done with it. Unless I've missed something, there are no other effective ways of dealing with a nuclear accident scenario, Y2K induced or otherwise. All the pro and con arguments do not change these options. An individual must deal with the options as they are, decide which one is right for him or her, and act on that decision. Not making a decision does put the information in a "just worry me" category, since living in a state of fear is debilitating and counter-productive. I consider consistent fear and worry to be a kind of disaster to the spirit and the body, and it's one disaster which _can_ be prevented if we choose to do so.

There's a Mother Goose rhyme that isn't very well known, although I think it should be.

"For every ailment under the sun, there is a remedy, or there is none;

If there be one, try to find it;

If there be none, never mind it."

Bottom line is that with information and awareness comes the responsibility to consider the practical options. Make your decisions, act on them, then let fear and worry go. If I place myself in shackles of fear to no positive purpose, then I rob myself of joy today and make worry my master. I don't want to be a slave to anything - least of all fear of the future.

Bonnie Camp

[/snip]

Critt

-- Critt Jarvis (middleground@critt.com), July 13, 1999

Answers

Critt, another excellent post by Bonnie Camp. I have read many of them on Rick Cowles Electrical Forum and they have all been on target.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), July 13, 1999.

I always liked Bonnie... <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), July 13, 1999.

Thank you Bonnie.

It's not the first time the thought has been echoed, thought I appreciate hearing it again.

Now just who do I believe? And what do I plan for? (Rhetorical Questions)

Father

-- Thomas G. Hale (hale.tg@att.net), July 14, 1999.

As always, Bonnie shows her wonderful intelligence and ability to cut to the meat. Many people are unable to make decisive decisions in life, not just y2k. Don't you think that maybe when some of the posters on this forum get semi hysterical, that maybe this is their problem? They swing back and forth and are in constant turmoil. Usually their whole life is this way and y2k is but the straw. Those of us that can make a decision and go on with things, are looking at y2k almost as a challnge. We know it can beat most of the world, *but it isn't going to beat me*, is a healthy attitude. Many of us have learned through mistakes. Others are beaten by mistakes and never again take up the challenge. So many people have no options or additional irons in the fire. They cannot change direction in thought or in actual physical life. They cannot even survive from the loss of one pay day. And while this is because of god awful wages and no benefits for some (the working poor), for most it is because they want everything now. Our standard of living in middle America is the standard of the VERY RICH people when I was a kid. You really don't have to have all the new cars, fancy pickups, boats, motorcycles, snow mobiles, fancy houses, etc. These things are not needs, but wants... and they get you into trouble in times of crises. And when you are in debt, like so many, you are only one pay check from losing it all. Make up your mind what to do, do it and then get on with your life. But while making up your mind, think about lifestyle changes. I am rambling.

Taz...who, right or wrong, had no problem making decisions!!

-- Taz (Tassie@aol.com), July 14, 1999.