Morning all, I'm Administrator of the Michael Hyatt Discussion Forum and I would first like to say thanks to all the terrific people over here who have offered words of encouragement! We are in touch with our tech support and they are assessing the situation right now. I'd like to say this incident has only caused the Moderating team and most of our members to renew their resolve to continue the wonderful exchange of information and experiences on our forum! Many of our members and most all our staff worked the whole day yesterday to download whatever we could get from threads still intact and from our newly established archives, to save as much vital info as we could.

But even if we hadn't, no one could have "deleted", the things we've all gained from Michael Hyatt's site!

Hope to be back, better than ever, as soon as possible!

-- Dorrit (tbungard@iomet.com), November 01, 1999

Answers

Thanks for the update Dorrit.

Good luck!

Diane

See thread...

Hyatt's bboard is down

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001gE7

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 01, 1999.

Dorrit,

See also...

Paul Davis and Patricia explain Hyatt hacking

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001gQE

One... wonders.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 01, 1999.

Dorrit, thank you for the update, and for the devoted work you do day after day to help make Michael's Prep Forum the best on the Internet! I have personally benefitted MUCH from it, and have distributed copies of many, many helpful threads to friends and family. It is the best survival notebook one could ask for, for ANY situation, not just Y2K. May God bless each one of you over there, and thank the others for us as well.

P.S. When I was a kid I never could understand the desire and the relish that some kids got out of vandalism...particularly at Hallowe'en, but all year round. Then I could not understand those who destroyed their environment's beauty with graffitti. Then I could not understand those who choose to hack into someone else's property and do damage to their site. Then I could not understand anyone entering a forum to destroy and disrupt. There is something inherently vicious about it the mentality of which eludes me. I keep thinking of the kids in "Lord of the Flies" and conjecture that some malicious "kids" never grow up into healthy-minded adults.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), November 01, 1999.

Dorrit, thank you for the update, and for the devoted work you do day after day to help make Michael's Prep Forum the best on the Internet! I have personally benefitted MUCH from it, and have distributed copies of many, many helpful threads to friends and family. It is the best survival notebook one could ask for, for ANY situation, not just Y2K. May God bless each one of you over there, and thank the others for us as well.

P.S. When I was a kid I never could understand the desire and the relish that some kids got out of vandalism...particularly at Hallowe'en, but all year round. Then I could not understand those who destroyed their environment's beauty with graffitti. Then I could not understand those who choose to hack into someone else's property and do damage to their site. Then I could not understand anyone entering a forum to destroy and disrupt. There is something inherently vicious about it, the mentality of which eludes me. I keep thinking of the kids in "Lord of the Flies" and conjecture that some malicious "kids" never grow up into healthy-minded adults.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), November 01, 1999.

Maybe it's because you've never been taught to think for yourself, god's-sheep? I know how difficult of a concept it must be for you to "think out of the box", but give it a try, you might like it. Some people call it disruption, others call it discussion, depending on which side you sit on.

Lots of people here say this is NOT a doomer site, but it's only the doomers who are irked at the trolls. (Not to mention the fact that there are alot of doomer trolls here, but they never get reprimanded. I guess it's only "disruption" if it's done by Pollys right?).

-- God's Shephard (one@more.person scared of freedom of thought), November 01, 1999.

GS, thank you for proving Elaine's point. Please keep up the good work--the more you disrupt, the more spiteful and catty you look. It's called shooting yourself in the foot.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), November 01, 1999.

Lots of people here say this is NOT a doomer site, but it's only the doomers who are irked at the trolls. (Not to mention the fact that there are alot of doomer trolls here, but they never get reprimanded. I guess it's only "disruption" if it's done by Pollys right?).

-- God's Shephard (one@more.person scared of freedom of thought), November 01, 1999.

Oh dear aren't we brilliant :o) It has occured to me that the same would hold true at the debunkers site. Wouldn't it be nice to drop in there and them something to debunk. Then we will see what it would be like if the shoe is on the other foot.

I bet the venom would be spewing.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), November 01, 1999.

In answer to your question I went to older entries to look under Friday's. Tried the Genl. Awareness and Misc. categories and didn't see either of the two threads in which the disruptors caused such havoc here. I can cite them to you if you contact me, but I am sure that Diane can find them for you quickly. The one in which Michael Hyatt's site was mentioned said that if I didn't like the sacrilege of a post totally unrelated to Y2K, I should go over to MH's site, etc.

Diane, can you give Dorrit these two references?

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), November 01, 1999.

Dorritt,

About three weeks ago you were abusive to a forumite on Michael Hyatt's site named Applepie. I sent you an email pointing out that you had made an untrue statement about her and that you owed her an apology. I never heard back from you.

-- Rick (rick7@postmark.net), November 01, 1999.

Brian,

You are right and wrong. Yes, there would be venom spewing... but unlike TB2000, debunkers never even considers deleting (and calling it "censorship") posts because they are disruptive. Ask a few regulars over there, they love disruption.

-- (and@that.is that), November 01, 1999.

There is a lot that can be said that is complimentary about Hyatt's forum, and I list it on my website as a resource. However, if you apply a knowledge of history to the prevailing memes on that forum, and follow the logic all the way out, you will likely often end up reaching conclusions TBTB there (such as Dorrit) do not think you should be allowed to think. What a choice; either lie to yourself and/or other posters (possibly endangering lives), or not think very hard/very often. TB2000's moderators are not as sensitive as I would personally prefer on deleting posts that IMO scream for removal, but at least they are not afraid of a nonpolitically correct (but relevant and logical) thought.

my site: www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), November 01, 1999.

"One... wonders."

No offense Diane, but you're about as good at playing Internet detective as you are at assessing the impact of Y2K...that is to say, lots of smoke blowing and pointing fingers, but way off the mark. And by the way, your "outings" and accusations are not exactly a great example of ethics....

Regards,

-- FactFinder (FactFinder@bzn.com), November 01, 1999.

MinnesotaSmith, I had to comment on your post. As one who was "banned" from the Hyatt site I must agree. They say that they are open to "discussion", but nothing could be farther from the truth. If you post anything to challenge a thread or post, or even state your opinion that differs from the moderators..well, you get the boot.

That site had potential, but the excessive manner in which they stifle any person who holds a postion different then their own, well...its just very sad. Their site is beneficial only to those who hold the same opinon as that of the moderators.

RainMan (not the same RainMan that posts here)

-- RainMan! (RaineyDM@aol.com), November 02, 1999.

Gee, "FactFinder", one would almost get the impression that you *know* what happened, and who "happened" it at Hyatt's site.

And "Rainman" -- if you don't like how someone treats their guests, you've always got the option to stop visiting them.

Rocket science? Hardly.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), November 02, 1999.

Hi RainMan!

Welcome to the "Banned from Hyatt's Site" club. Good to see the membership growing. We ought to have a reunion in ten years' time. Or something.

LevelHead/Nobber/Nobbit/PasserBy

-- Richard Dymond (rjdymond@hotmail.com), November 02, 1999.

I'm in the "banned from Hyatt" club, and I think it says more about Hyatt's subordinates than it does about me. Dorritt got P.O'ed at me over: 1) my telling a woman G.I to evict her adult daughter (residing and sponging) who was not only laughingly telling every acquaintance who would listen about her mom's preps (against an express negative directive about this), but was even (!) giving guided tours of the mom's stockpiles. 2) In a section on families, I provided an objective, even dry summary of what Sorokin's highly regarded academic study "Man and Society in Calamity" included about what historically happens to families when under levels of societal stress corresponding to approximately an 8.0 or greater. Now, most G.I.'s will never find the time to read this book, which is widely considered a landmark piece of research on its topic, so I think that this was a useful (as well as reasonable) piece to post. Incidentally, when I posted it here on TB2000, it mostly got either harmless wisecracking or positive responses. As IMO the discussion forum is the main reason Michael Hyatt's website gets repeat hits, one would think that a "big tent" that includes a higher percentage of G.I's would be the desired M.O. there.

my website: www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), November 02, 1999.

Hey levelhead & MNSmith ! The "BFH" (Banned From Hyatt) club is indeed growing. I see that ole' Joe Almond got the boot also, maybe he will be showing up as well?

I am surprised that you, MNSmith, got the boot!! Your posts were always in the GI vien...that is truely absurd that they booted you, it does indeed say much about the moderators.

LevelHead, your posts were always well written and logical, never a harsh word directed at anyone, always focused at the issue, yet they just could not deal with it.

I got the boot because I had the audacity to state that I was starting to hold the same opinion as DeJeager...that there was the potential for disaster but, for the most part, it had been avoided due to the high level of attention that is now being brought to the topic. I also made a comment that I would be buying a generator in February when they would be on sale cheap. Dorrit was really bent out of shape over this.

I am a "GI"...I am preparing, but I guess I am not preparing to the level they deem suitable for entering their discussion board.

-- RainMan! (RaineyDM@aol.com), November 02, 1999.

hey minnesota smith i was there when they tossed you, stopped going when they did, it sucked... I got a few grunts of displeasure when i openly laughed at stupid posts on his site as well. I'd say 80% were worthwhile, but every once in a hwile there would be something so totally dumb i would have to comment... and out came the protesters

-- jeremiah (braponspdetroit@hotmail.com), November 02, 1999.

Yes, the "club" is indeed growing, mostly due to the "iron fists" that SOME of the moderators, and ESPECIALLY "Dorrit" (the administrator, taking M. Hyatt's place, for whatever reason) are using on the members.

This takes the form of verbally abusive postings toward many members, (along with equally abusive private emails) and closing of many potentially instructive threads. While I agree that conspiracy theories need to be held in check, many other questions/posts can and have incited meaningful discourse of the issues.

I find that *I* have been "warned" now, on more than one occaision. ME! I have defended Hyatt (and his site) from MANY personal attacks. And now for some reason, my "thinking" isn't "right". I've got a real problem with that, and have told Mr. Hyatt so privately. I believe that I can count the number of my "off-topic" posts on the fingers of ONE HAND.

At one point Dorrit even castigated me for having too many "must read" headers, saying that "it makes others feel that their posts are unimportant..." You gotta LOVE that. And the quality of the information shared has dropped as well, IMO, as people fear being ridiculed/abused by the "team".

If I am to be banned soon, I consider myself in good company. Bottom line: when you alienate an ever-increasing number of people, sooner or later something like the "hack" is BOUND to happen...

(Minnesota, please email me at the above addy...)

-- Dennis (djolson@cherco.net), November 02, 1999.

I have found that the MH moderators step in on off-topic posts. The forum here is much broader than the one at MH's. This is because it is a PREPARATION forum, not one to debate what may or may not happen. Their forum is much like our preparation forum. It is my understanding that ONLY preparedness issues will be posted at MH's forum. It is their choice to decide which posts are relevant and not abusive or off-topic.

I read both and "enjoy" both forums and take them for their intended purposes. I have learned a great deal from both sources, regardless of how the forums are moderated. MH's is just cleaner.

These forums are not about free speech. They are PRIVATE forums and as such their "rules" should be respected whatever the rules.

as they say, just my two cents worth...

-- booann (keepthefaith@hold.on), November 02, 1999.

"Dennis" is on the verge of bannishment?? !! ?? My gosh, they practically worship you on those boards!!

While you and I seldom agree, I did enjoy your posts on that board. Each member brought a certain flavor to the board. Your sparing with Jaymes was always entertaining.

Man, if Dorrit banned you...who is next, maybe their cheerleader Riverwm? This has to be a joke...Dennis on the verge of bannishment from MH..thats rich.

-- RainMan! (RaineyDM@aol.com), November 02, 1999.

Booann:

It's not the "keeping on topic" that bothers me; it's the ATTITUDE of a FEW of the moderators (and Dorrit), and the verbal abuse they heap on others.

Rain Man:

Yeah, ironic isn't it? Like I said, if banned (and I expect it soon), I'll be in good company. And I really enjoyed my discussions w/Jaymes!

But if I AM banned, that'll show to what level the people in control of that board have sunk, IMHO. I enjoy many of the discussions, and really like most of the people there, but the FEW..... well, YOU know....

-- Dennis (djolson@cherco.net), November 02, 1999.

Since I was mentioned,I figure it must be my turn to talk!*eg*

Joseph A. was banned for insisting on posting about women getting raped with y2k, advertising his activities more than offering tips on y2k prep.

Minnesota am I one of the Moderators you are referring to. That would be strange, since I am also webmaster of your site.I know you-If someone insisted that you post something you did not agree with on your site, you would be livid.You pay for your site-and voicing your opinion.How is this different.

Dennis, you were my first friend at MH site.Your opinion has always mattered to me.You know Michael made Dorrit Administrator because of her patience and positiveness in keeping to the goal of preparing. He made that decision because his personal life also deserves his attention--And he didnt want to shut the board down.If he trusts her judgement and agrees that her outlook is his, then shouldnt we. BTW, does this mean our torrid cyber affair is off??LOL.

Levelhead, even though I disagree with some of your views, you do carry yourself like a gentleman.Unlike Rainman who voices vulgar names at people, throws insults at his host and feigns surprise when that disrespect shows him the door!

In all, Michael Hyatt's Board is not a bastion of free speech. It is a private forum for the soul purpose of preparing for any y2k difficulties. The site strives to be a moderate, middle of the road view. No one is told how long to prepare or what to prepare. We are an equal opportunity "banner"! Please leave all conspiracy theories, scare tactics, personal advertisements, insults to preparers, and arguments about y2k non-events at the door.

Those of you who do not like it, I have a feeling you will not be forced to visit;) We protect the right of purpose to the website as YOU would protect the right to keep or disallow, what you deem appropriate in YOUR OWN HOME.

BTW, which one of you is hiding Linda Courtney??? *evilgrin*

-- River (forgetit@thisissilly.com), November 02, 1999.

This is a letter from Mr. Hyatt posted at his website.

Y2K PREP DISCUSSION GROUP We're Down But Not Out!

November 2, 1999

Dear Friends:

As you may know, our Discussion Group was "hacked" over the weekend. There was more extensive damage than we originally believed, and it appears that we won't have the Discussion Group working for a couple of more days.

Some have speculated that we faked the hacking, so that I could quietly disappear from the Y2K scene. I'm sorry to disappoint those who thoughtor hopedthis was the case, but I have no intention of leaving. We may be down, but we are not out.

We are also taking this occasion to move the entire website to our own dedicated server. This will result in faster, more secure access in the future. While the hacking appeared to be a setback, it will end up being better for all of us. (My thanks to the hacker.)

We appreciate your patience. Please keep checking back. We will update this page as new information becomes available.

Thanks,

Michael

P.S. If you have any leads concerning the hacker's identity, please e- mail me directly.

-- LOON (blooney10@aol.com), November 02, 1999.

I feel compelled to respond to several points raised above.

1) For those of you who are not aware of it, I am a full-blown RGI, rating my perception of Y2K's threat as a 9.5. I think Paul Milne and Julian Gregori are largely on target, and that Infomagic is closer to the truth on Y2K than the pollyannas.

2) The moderator on Hyatt's forum you spoke of, Riverwn, is someone I know well. She is the site administrator and web developer for my website, and IMO she has done a great job since she took over this task this summer. Riverwn has gotten extremely busy as of late with ill/injured members of her family and of course finishing up her own Y2K preps as the end of 1999 approaches, so articles do not make it onto the site as soon after I write them as formerly. Still, my meeting her (in cyberspace) was a stroke of good fortune for the site, and her work on it is something she can IMO justly be proud of.

She has views relatively similiar to mine on the likely severity of Y2K. However, she is not as secular in her worldview as myself, and has a more diplomatic/positive personality; when someone says something stupid or ignorant, she does not feel as compelled as I would to tell them directly where they stand. Thus, she is able to not merely endure as a member over at Hyatt's forum, but also continue being successful as a moderator. Still, she walks a tightrope at MH's (as part of what she has chosen to take on as public service with Y2K education), and this is not an easy task.

3) As far as fixing Hyatt's forum so that it no longer continues to slide toward toward an intellectually monotonal mediocrity (due to purging bright members, and making the rest too cautious to contribute anywhere near as much as they might), I would suggest the following as minimal remediation:

a) Br1ght has to be banned from the forum even as a member, with all of the moderators deleting his/her E-mail address from their E- mail accounts and blocking receiving messages from him/her. He/she has been associated with far too much unconstructive rudeness to forum members for anything less to be appropriate or effective. This individual has a lot of useful knowledge, but it comes at too high a price in information stillborn in transit from other forum members.

b) Dorrit will have to step down as first-among-equals among moderators, ideally becoming just another member that can be told by other members he/she is full of s**t when it is the case, as does happen, as it does to us all. This person has contributed substantially to the forum, but is prone to hubris and worries far too much over whether or not someone can be "caught" violating a rule, as opposed to is effectively moving a thread's content toward saving lives.

c) A culture of tolerance of effectiveness/utility (as opposed to whether or not a post fits the PC memes) will have to come into existence there. This is a large topic that I will not try to cover here and now, but two things would be IMO worth a try: first, change bans to a week or two at a time (unless they act like Flint, Al-d, or Mutha Nachu); second, bring in someone like Cory Hamasaki to run things on the forum for a while.

my website: www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), November 02, 1999.

""Unlike Rainman who voices vulgar names at people, throws insults at his host""

Riverwm, I called you "cranky" once? Is that deemed "vulgar"? I got $5.00 for you if you can find ONE instance where I used a vulgar term.

Truth is whenever I questioned a persons post or Hyatts essays you felt the need to jump in and whip out your standard "you are a guest, if ya don't like it leave yada yada yada I'm gonna tell Micheal" speel that you use because you could not give any other logical answer to a valid question.

I know you feel that MH saved your life, and that the board is your family and that you have this consuming need to protect the "new' people on the board from currupt thinking (ie..anything other then MH thinking) and you know what...thats fine. I say more power to you girl!! If that is what helps you face your day with a smile then give it all ya got baby!

But the criteria for a moderator needs to be one of discerning tolerance, and you do not posess that trait (IMO only). You don't like me and thats fine, but I would strongly suggest you open yourself up to the idea that there are all types of concepts about Y2K, and as a moderator you need to have the integrity to let each voice their opinion in a constructive manner, not choke off anyone who does not see things from your viewpoint.

I never once told anyone to stop preparing, I think in the U.S. we are going to see a 3-5 and overseas a 5-7...so thats maybe not bad enough in your thinking, but its my opinion and like @##holes, we all have one.

I must agree with MNSmith, the banning that is going on over there will only lead to a dumbing down of the board. What could be a great, easy to use site Dorrit has turned into a monochrome mindset.

Also..being Banned only really means you can't use that screen name anymore

-- RainMan! (RaineyDM@aol.com), November 02, 1999.

What the devil meant for harm, God can turn around and make something great out of!!! For Y2K, hurricanes, other disasters, or just everyday living, there has been much excellent information on the Hyatt discussion board. I have learned much and tried to share what I knew to help others too. It is a shame that all who access the board can't come there with love for there fellow man rather than wanting to cause harm. Dorrit is a great Administrator and most of the moderators are great too. I don't go to all of the forums but really have enjoyed the ones I do go to. Thanks Michael, Dorrit, and all the moderators for everything you have done to help us. May God richly bless each of you.

-- Lou (bramble@alltel.net), November 02, 1999.

Looking at this thread I can see why the Hyatt moderators are instructed to keep such a tight lid on where the discussions go. The only shred of positive info I've gleaned from this thread is that I may have to reconsider & purchase some firearms after all.

-- BVJ (jaggerb@mpinet.net), November 02, 1999.

Members of this forum need not cringe at the possibility of an avalanche of posts by those banned from the Hyatt site. There have been less than a dozen since February, including those who tried to return under other names. Any reunion celebration would not require a large meeting room but would be comfortably accommodated in a corner booth with a couple of pull up chairs. :)

-- Lsmith (dwsmith@bellsouth.net), November 02, 1999.

For me, the banning issue is a small one. However, the TONE of some of the "slams" from a few members of the moderating team ARE an issue. I notice that the ones in question are being quite civil on this board. That's good, since while HERE they are subject to the same "flames" as a "regular" citizen, and enjoy no "special protection".

I have refrained from being overly harsh regarding them (and you KNOW who you are), and will not start now. BUT, I suggest that any insufferable "holier than thou" posts by them be carefully thought out prior to clicking "send".

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), November 02, 1999.

I don't visit or post on MH's site, it's tone goes contrary to my secular nature, but I would make a few points.

MH's site is well know for being more religious in nature that most others. It is a PRIVATE site paid for with PRIVATE money. Therefore they are free to enforce whatever editorial policy they choose. You have NO rights there.

If you walked into a church on Sunday morning and started spouting anti-Christian dogma would you be surprised if you were asked to leave and if you refused and have to be forcibly removed have your free speech rights been violated because you were not allow to speak your mind?

Of course not. You can GO SOMEWHERE ELSE where the policy is more to your liking and speak your mind.

Personally I find some people on THIS forum to be rude, insulting, and gererally hiding behind a screen name saying things they would never say to someone in person.

But if I don't like it I DON'T READ IT.

-- John Beck (eurisko111@aol.com), November 02, 1999.

It is sad to me to see what started out on this topic as a message from the administrator of the Hyatt board denigrate into a purging of hurt feelings by former members who have been banned.

I know all of you and read the board carefully and know the reasons you all were banned. None of you were banned without warning. The forum guidelines have been stated over and over again and yet some of you, for whatever reason, chose to push the envelope and make comments that were off topic and against the guidelines set up for the board.

The reason so many like the Hyatt board is because of those guidelines. Many people want information and support in their preparation efforts without drifting into the realm of speculation that proves to be more freightening than necessary. Members feel safe posting there. No one is allowed to use profanity or target and flame other members. It is not the way on all discussion boards.

I think the way some of you have expresses yourself on this topic has been immature and spiteful. You couldn't attack Dorrit and the moderators at Hyatt's so you chose this opportunity when there has been a disaster at Hyatt's board to lower the boom on the people who volunteer their time to help other people prepare for Y2K.

Being an administrator or moderator takes many, many hours a day to do. These people are to be commended for the time they spend, without pay, to help those coming for much needed, lifesaving information. All you have to do is ask a question and they make every effort to search out and get back to you with an answer. Topics on survival that can and will save people's lives if Y2K turns out to be more than a bump.

I think you owe these people thanks for what they do and an apology for the terrible way you've talked about them. I think it was out of line and shows that you have no class or pride. Your behavior reminds me of high school antics.

I hope you all feel better now that you've had your say and now we can all go on. I wish you all well and hope you think about the hurtful words you've posted here.

-- LOON (blooney10@aol.com), November 02, 1999.

RainMan,

I'd say "a$$hole" qualifies as "vulgar", especially when it is said in a manner that implies everyone who disagrees with you, or who fails to tolerate you, is one.

And, yes, LSmith......the group is small indeed. Unfortunately, they won't even enjoy each other's company, now will they? With Dennis Olson and Minnesota Smith dooming it about, RainMan's half-a$$ approach, and poor Levelhead talking his way though mylar bags.....well, I'd say they'll devour each other before the punch is every served.

(and I want to be a fly on THAT wall......tee hee)

-- Econ101 (Middlemann@juno.com), November 02, 1999.

This thread warrants only two comments from me. First, This is an interesting discussion but basically a complaint session for which there is no end result or conclusion except to beg for futher complaining.

Second, I have learned a great deal from Michael Hyatt's Board. I came to the Board seeking advice and tips on Y2K preperations and what I found was a very positive opportunity to change my lifestyle. I have always wanted to learn more about getting back to basics...learning how to do more with less; such as planting a garden, canning, breads, bargain hunting, self-sufficiency, etc... After looking at all the things that made me and my family dependent on society I learned that we had become much too dependent upon outside resources over the past 30+ years and we needed to get back to some basic self sufficientcy. My wife has joined in and we find that their is great pleasure in our time doing "earthy" things. The irony behind this is that we were both engaged in this lifestyle back in the sixties and seventies and some how became part of the "homogenized", "instant gratification" society.

I have no time for the complainers in the world and must admit that I have a personal fault of ignoring their plight. I gravitate toward spending my time with people who are making a difference through positive actions.

The moderators of the MH Board have an extremely difficult task and I would certainly not want to be in their shoes. Like most things in our society that are new the MH Board has helped to identify a population of individuals who will need to seek other mechaninisms (i.e. Boards) that will satisfy their needs. If one does not exist someone will create it. This is one of the underlying tenets of free enterprise and free speech.

I wish you all the very best and hope that you find what it is that you are seeking. To Michael and the people of the MH Board, thanks!

-- Fred (Freddy007@aol.com), November 03, 1999.

I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT AND RESPONSIBLE GROUP OF PEOPLE COULD ACT SO IMMATURE. ALSO, I WANT TO THANK Riverwn for keeping me informed OF CURRENT EVENTS. She is dedicated to helping all of us be prepared for whatever comes our way in the year 2000. And wasn't that the purpose of the Michael Hyatt Forum? Please stop the name calling, and like a GOOD Scout, BE PREPARED!

-- Coleen (mapa54@netcommander.com), November 03, 1999.

I was just forming my thoughts about Y2K when I found the MH site this past year. Generous amts. of articles were there to be read. I didn't visit much more than News/Food/Water areas. I marveled at how hard these members were working and the affection they exchanged. In July I decided it was time to make a plan and finally "Do Something" to get ready for Y2k. We are not a rich PootaFamily so every corner MH's site helped me cut was so appreciated.

Now it seems many have been tying up loose ends on preps. I will be working hard until after Christmas & then will not have much. I have observed people lately who are JUST NOW hearing the TICK TOCK of the Y2K clock & are getting into prep gear.

The past several wks. I began to read the Spiritual & Family forums & found more serious troubles than my worry for Y2k. Quietly & consistently people were encouraging others who floundered. The strain of jobs, family, hurricanes, finances, health & preps can fray the nerves of the nicest of people. And the clock ticks...

I think the ones who are finished prepping want to jaw a little & wonder aloud with site buddies. The nurturers (moderators) don't want the new comers to give up - so we get shushed sometimes. I know it's not the country club. I can be shushed & not die. You can too. But I can NOT tell you how sad it makes me to see those I have come to care for get up & leave (voluntarily or not).

We can come together again - presentable to the task, shaking hands & walking in peace. I ask Blessings for You All. I know this was way too long - but so heavy to carry inside. I believe forgiveness comes from much character. I love you guys. I believe you are good people...

-- Marilyn (Pootabear@aol.com), November 05, 1999.