A few days ago I thought I read on the forum where Ann Landers pooh-poohed the whole Y2K preps. I guess she has decided to do a 360. Apparently Senators Bennett & Dodd wrote to her and asked her to use her column to get the masses moving in preparation and asking questions on their local level. Very interesting...She was more than happy to comply. I guess you have to give some credit to Bennett for trying to wake everybody up. Things are starting to get VERY interesting...

-- Marsha (MSykes@court.co.macon.il.us), August 11, 1999

Answers

Marsha:

Do you have copy of the new recommendations? That would indeed move the herd. Almost as much as if Oprah said something.......

-- Jon Williamson (jwilliamson003@sprintmail.com), August 11, 1999.

Hoping for a 180.

This is it! You have until next Saturday to finish shopping!

-- lisa (lisa@work.now), August 11, 1999.

It was Dear Abby that ran the don't worry, don't prepare article. Ann Landers is Abby's twin sister. I think you either get one or the other since most newspapers will only use one advice columnist. BTW one of the ladies quit and there is someone writing the column for her, I think a man and a woman doing it together. Don't under estimate the influence of these columns on the public.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), August 11, 1999.

Marsha - Has the column run? Can you provide details?

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), August 11, 1999.

Here are snippets of Landers' response to the Bennett-Dodd letter.

"1. Be an informed citizen. Ask your utility companies about their Y2K status. Talk with local officials about what the police, fire and emergency medical services have done to prepare.

"2. Be an educated consumer. Check with your doctor, pharmacist, broker, grocer and others who provide you with valuable services about their preparations. Contact manufacturers of date-sensitive appliances to verify compliance. {Now we're talking.}

"3. Prudence in the pantry. You should have on hand a flashlight and batteries, warm blankets and a couple of extra cans of food--items you are apt to have in your home already. {So, don't worry about it.}

"4. Keep track of your finances. The bank is still the safest place to keep your money, and most banks are well prepared. {Whew}

"5. Travel smart. If you plan to travel, obtain written confirmation of your reservations directly from the airline as well as your travel agent.

"6. Beware of scams. Con artists are already actively exploiting people's fears. Beware of anyone attempting to sell you unnecessary products such as massive food supplies, water treatment kits or other 'Y2K personal preparedness' items."

This won't encourage anyone to do anything at all to prepare.

-- Vic (Rdrunner@internetwork.net), August 11, 1999.

Yup- I particularly liked the "couple of cans of food part"- you know- one can of Cream of Mushroom and a three year old can of baked beans.......

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.net), August 11, 1999.

Sheesh...that's directly off the senate Y2K website. This article will do more harm than good.

R/

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), August 11, 1999.

You know what the "three day storm" preps mean?

Every DGI and DWGI is going to be out grocery shopping at the time of the rollover to make sure they have what may be their normal amount of groceries anyway.

In other words, this line of thought means that this will result in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Administration, "Prepare, but only as if it's a three day storm"

DGI, "Well, I'll just make sure and run out to the store around the end of the year and pick up a couple of cans of beans, some chips and salsa and a twelve pack. Gotta make sure to be back in time for the Bowl game."

Mike

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-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), August 11, 1999.

Can someone give the URL of a paper that ran the letter.

-- Linda A. (adahi@muhlon.com), August 11, 1999.

Trying to shop at a grocery store christmas 99 will be worse than shopping the malls.

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), August 11, 1999.

helium, Food shopping in December??? I don't think so. November-- probably not. October??? Uncertain. Stock in extra for those months. I wonder if restaurants will have food.

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWAyne@aol.com), August 11, 1999.

I'm with Linda. URL for paper(s) that ran the article? If no URL available, at least the name(s) of said publications?

Typing on a laptop the size of a postage stamp, but checking in, and posting when I see something that may be of significance. This post could be a keeper if verified.

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 12, 1999.

Hi, FM et al. The column ran in today's edition (Wednesday August 11) of the Kansas City Star. When I went online at www.kcstar.com, I was not able to find her column online. Arggh! It was there this morning! (I spilled coffee on my copy; I was peeved at the 'non- news').

Did an online search of "Ann Landers", and got this URL: http://www.creators.com/lifestyle/landers/lan.asp. This site *does* have archived columns of Ann Landers, however, the newest column available was 8/05. So....may have to wait a few days if you want to see it yourself.

It was a response from Senator Bennett from several months ago. Sorry I wasn't any more of a help.

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), August 12, 1999.

http://www.sacbee.com/voices/national/landers/landers_19990811.html

Sorry, I haven't yet learned the art of hot links!

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), August 12, 1999.

Senators urge Y2K readiness

By Ann Landers Published August 11, 1999

DEAR ANN LANDERS: By now, your readers have heard about the Year 2000 technology problem known as the Y2K bug, which is expected to cause wide-ranging computer problems on Jan. 1, 2000. The problem is the result of an encoded two-digit dating system, that prevents computers from distinguishing the year 2000 from the year 1900.

As you are one of the nation's most widely read and straight-talking advice columnists, we wanted to supply you with some of our advice on how the public can prepare for any potential Y2K-related problems. Please share these consumer tips with your readers. The more they understand about the problem, the better equipped they will be to deal with it.

-- Robert F. Bennett, Chairman

-- Christopher J. Dodd, Vice-Chairman

U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem

DEAR SENATORS: Thank you for taking the time to help me educate my readers. The advice you have given is priceless, and I am extremely grateful. Here it is, folks.

1. BE AN INFORMED CITIZEN. Ask your utility companies about their Y2K status. Talk with local officials about what the police, fire, and emergency medical services have done to prepare. Post their non-911 direct dial emergency numbers near your phone. Burglar alarms connected to computer networks at police stations and security companies should be tested.

2. BE AN EDUCATED CONSUMER. Check with your doctor, pharmacist, broker, grocer and others who provide you with valuable services about their preparations. Contact manufacturers of date-sensitive appliances to verify Y2K compliance.

3. PRUDENCE IN THE PANTRY. You should have on hand a flashlight and batteries, warm blankets and a couple of extra cans of food -- items you are apt to have in your home already. If you take medication, consult your doctor if you are concerned about shipping delays.

4. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR FINANCES. The bank is still the safest place to keep your money, and most banks are well prepared. Save receipts and obtain paper copies of bank and loan statements and other financial transactions, especially deposit slips. Call your local bank to learn about their Y2K plans. Talk to your employer about vulnerabilities in the payroll system. Take Y2K readiness into account when making investments.

5. TRAVEL SMART. If you plan to travel, obtain written confirmation of your reservations directly from the airline as well as your travel agent. Factor possible delays into your travel plans. If you are traveling abroad, check the State Department for Y2K travel alerts.

6. BEWARE OF SCAMS. Con artists are already actively exploiting people's fears. Be wary of goods and services touted as "Y2K guaranteed." Beware of anyone attempting to sell you unnecessary products such as massive food supplies, water treatment kits or other "Y2K personal preparedness" items.

Never give out personal financial information over the phone unless you initiate the call and are sure the person you speak to is legitimate. Report any attempts to solicit this information to the police.

For more information, call 1-888-USA-4-Y2K (1-888-872-4925), or visit the Senate Y2K Committee web site at www.senate.gov/7/8y2k

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), August 12, 1999.