Just before Congress recessed in early August, there were supposed to be hearings (Senate or House?) on the power industry. None were held. Does anyone know if they have been rescheduled?

-- Anonymous, September 16, 1999

Answers

The hearings were cancelled. The Senate then decided to have a "virtual hearing" (really, a non-hearing with "press releases" posted on the Senate Y2k website). A real hearing has opening statements by all parties, and then Q&A by the committee Senators to challenge statements or seek further information. This did not occur. You can go to the Senate Y2k website to read the statements from the "virtual hearing".

-- Anonymous, September 16, 1999

Did they choose to hold a "virtual hearing" instead of a regular hearing because they thought the issue wasn't worthy of a full-fledged hearing? In other words, have they decided Y2K is practically a non-issue at this point?

-- Anonymous, September 16, 1999

Yeah Rick, I kind of wonder about Linda's question too. I am reminded of that old saying: "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." I don't suppose it has anything to do with that cancelled hearing. Huh?

-- Anonymous, September 16, 1999

Gordon,

Yes, that is another question: Did they cancel the "real hearings" because they didn't want to answer the questions? Or did they cancel them because they don't believe y2k is an "event" anymore?

Probably no one can answer these questions except the good Congressman.

These kinds of things get under my skin because lately I've been doing that teetering thing on the fence again. We were having about 3 stories per day about y2k in our local paper; and since 9/9/99 there have been hardly any at all. You subconsciously start to feel like you have over reacted. Sheesh! I know! I'm prepared.....but still...I think, truthfully, I just wish it would go away and I'm easily swayed in that direction.... weird.. Okay, help!!! I'm typing and I can't shut up! sorry....

-- Anonymous, September 16, 1999

Linda,

I often go through exactly the same fence sitting problem you mention. That is the hardest part of this whole Y2k,maintaining a personal forecast agenda when others around you,and the media,keep issuing "mild" reports that wouldn't require much preparation. It's very frustrating, but I bet that most people feel that same way from time to time, week to week. We are just human, with emotions and feelings, not simple logic programs. So, since we really don't want something bad to happen to our little world, at the deepest personal level, we are ripe for doubt. I call it the "This can't really be happening to me" syndrome. I have seen this in other areas of life, even in aviation, where the tendency to deny is sometimes stronger than the tendency to accept possibly life changing bad news.

Also, preparation is just something a small minority of the population do. I saw a recent statement that only 1-2% of people make serious preparation for *any* impending life problem. We are in a tiny group, but can't help it. Perhaps it's a genetic drive, that works to our advantage in any survival of the fittest scenario. I live in southern New Jersey, and as hurricane Floyd was working its way up the coast I started looking at the forecasts for direction of travel. It was showing a path directly over us, with winds of 70mph or more. So, I spent a couple of hours out in the heavy rain, moving all the yard and porch furniture inside the garage, and generally making sure that things that could blow around were secured. I have been through a few hurricanes in Florida and have great respect to them. Anyway, all we got from it was some heavy rain and no more gusty winds than I have seen in a good thunderstorm. I mentioned to my wife that it didn't turn out that I really had needed to move everything and she said "I didn't think it would be a problem. I told you so." Thus, from her standpoint, I wasted my time. From my standpoint, I was protecting against the frightening sight of blowing furniture and other things that I had seen happen down in Florida. I just can't take a light hearted attitude about possible heavy wind storms or Y2k, and if it turns out better than I was concerned about, fine, I never look back and say I wasted my time.

If the storm had turned out as bad as some of the forecasts thought it might, I was prepared. I found out previously that you can not go out in 75mph winds to start moving furniture. Stuff gets ripped right out of your hands, *if* you can even stay on your feet. So, I will continue to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, with Y2k.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 1999

I read a day or so ago that a person should not prepare because if the preparations were not needed, their friends and family would call and ridicule them and say in the process, "I told you so."

Now hear this, one and all, there is a possibility that electricty may fail. Due to that possibility I bought food and will store some water. I have wasted nothing. I will eat the food and drink the water no matter what. It just means less trips to the grocery store next year. I hope all my friends and family call and ridicule me. I prefer that to friends and family in need.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 1999