Response to discussion at large

greenspun.com : LUSENET : HumptyDumptyY2K : One Thread

Well, people, it's been interesting reading this group of threads. I've actually learned quite a bit. (No pun intended.) There are a few things that I'd really like to say here, though.

First, the great American farmer right now is the least likely to be able to help this country in such a crisis. The small farmers that haven't gone belly up and foreclosure can barely feed their own families. I know this because I come from an area of small farmers. I grew up on farms. The big, corporate farmers produce loads of grains and whatnot, but there in lies a problem. In order to farm their way, computers cover avery operation, whether they realize it or not. They also use tens of thousands of barrels of diesel every year operating their equip. Don't count on them for your food. Those who use migrant labor may well find themselves without the ability to plant or reap, or market. I feel it will be each community trying to feed itself from locally grown produce. Stock growers are selling off their herds right now at rock bottom prices because they're going under financially due to the drought across the country.

If food banks in other communties are anything like the one in our area, they have maybe one day's worth of provisions for refugees. We were told that in March, 1999. They didn't expect to do better than that due to lack of storage space. They were recommending every store at least one month's worth of provisions for their families at that time. We are a small community area, too.

The one thing that none has mentioned yet, but which needs to be addressed, is that fact that throughout this whole Y2K event the Earth will be experiencing what astonomers call the largest solar event series in living memory. It is anticipated that sattelites will go down (every type), radio, TV, cellphone, etc. signals will be scrambled or gone completely. The magnetic interferrence will also probably cause emotional upheaval in human thinking and problem solving skills. Remember the brain is electric and is affected by magnetic flux. So are power generators. If Y2K doesn't take out the power grid, the sun will help it along. We're already having X-class flares which are the worst on the scale.

As for our troops in khaki, everyone we're talked to, including Nat'l Guard, reservists, etc. have said the same thing. Don't count on us. We'll be at home protecting our own. Even the sheriff's dept. and police have said the same. I'm sure the young, untried, gungho, variety will be on the lines and doing their patriotic thing. But don't count on the more experienced to be out there.

On self-sufficiency, I'll say this. If you have only a little time to learn from someone else, don't put it off. I and my sister were fortunate to have lived through hard times and having to do with what was at hand. We had to learn that way. Between us we have most things covered, and what we don't, her husband does. Take the first aid and CPR class. Learn how to sew and darn cloths. Learn to can - go to the county ext. office. While I'm thinking about it, don't forget to get your pet's vaccinations current. That's if you intend to keep them. Psychologically, they are an emotional leveler. They tend to reduce things to priorities and compassion.

I'll close this longer than usual missive by saying that this world will end up being only as good as the people left in it. It is intent and action that defines motivation as well as the Good Lord's direction.

Claudette

-- Claudette Young (laclaud@cybertrails.com), September 07, 1999

Answers

Thank you for your level headed thread, I hope there are more peaple out there who will follow God's direction

-- John (jmattingly@mail.gcnet.net), September 07, 1999.

Claudette

Here is a small anecdote which I'm sure you'll understand.

My wife is Russian heritage and in our ideas around getting ready for y2k, she has dreamed of setting aside some salt cabbage (basically shredded cabbage in brine water and stored down in the cellar...good for a few months.

We have relocated to a section of New York State (Finger Lakes) which still has a large number of small to midsized farms 50-200 acres and one can see a large variety of vegetables in the fields...in principle a great place to live if transportation of fresh food is tough.

So one day, we were out at a U-Pick blueberry place and I noticed that the cabbage farmer across the road was surveying his field. And they were mighty hefty heads compared to the piddly ones which were growing in our new garden. I walked over and asked him if he sold by the case. "Not normally, but come by around harvest and we can work out something."

In the course of the conversation I asked him if he raised his own seedlings. "Oh no. I get them shipped up from down south" (The greenhouses down there get a head start.

-- Thom Gilligan (thomgill@eznet.net), September 07, 1999.


How many days or hours can a high milk yield cow go without milking? How about an average milk cow? I'm wondering if we can pick up a cow on the cheap before the die off. Perhaps, more equitably, people can take cows into custody while the power is out. This is done with racing horses and breeding quality dogs when there is no room or money to take care of the animal, but they wish to see it cared for and retain ownership. Ideas?

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), September 07, 1999.


Hi, Stan! Cows are generally milked two times daily, although the huge (3,000 cows) dairy farm 20 miles away milks them three times. The real answer depends on how often you want to milk. If you want, you can milk once a day, and the supply adjusts to the demand. If you want more milk, milk more frequently. Frankly, goats have a better feed-to-milk ratio, and are much easier to raise. If the milk is handled properly, it tastes great. (Don't go by the taste of the goat milk in the store--it's very old.) Find a goat person, and get some milk from him/her to sample.

-- Ann M. (hismckids@aol.com), September 08, 1999.

"...the Earth will be experiencing what astonomers call the largest solar event series in living memory. It is anticipated that sattelites will go down (every type), radio, TV, cellphone, etc. signals will be scrambled or gone completely."

Interesting, but I've never heard those effects stated ANYWHERE as a certainty or even near-certainty. They are stated only as possiblilities, just as the GPS failure and the Cassini disasters were both possibilities that didn't finally happen. The last big solar event caused some problems in Canada, but the rest of us slept through it.

From what I've read there's no reason to assume that "signals will be scrambled or gone completely." OTOH -- If you have some official links that back up your statement I'd like to give them a visit.

-- problems (will@mister.sun), September 08, 1999.



I think Claudette put things very well. True the solar flares are only a possibility of causing problems, but think what might happen IF solar flares(CME's) cause a problem even if only in one area and the grid is already stressed due to some Y2k problems. What if the winter is more severe than normal and people are using more electricity to keep warm?? What if other areas have bad weather and knock out another part of the grid?? Each of these things could be isolated, but with the grid connecting everything, these isolated events could bring the whole thing down. What are the chances of all of these things happening? I don't know - never liked statistics.

We need to look at the potential for a number of things to happen - Y2k, CMEs, earthquakes, weather, etc. Each thing could be small but added together it might be a major problem. This is why preparing is so important - not just for Y2k but for life.

I did read an article in Countrysides I believe that did evaluate the potential of a catastrophe in an individuals next 40 yrs and if I remember correctly it was about 60% or more. Preparing should be a way of life.

Stan, usually cows and goats are milked twice a day - however, if the cow has never been milked by hand it might be a problem. In the ice storm in Canada that was one of the problems with the dairies.

-- Beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), September 09, 1999.


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