Just came from a thread below where the poster was commenting on how angry they were at their inability to convince people to prepare.

I look at the calendar and it says Nov.15,1999.

99% of our society has not enough food to last two weeks, much less heat or water. I have lived the last 8 months with a duplicitous mind. I have been mocked (not severely) by my own family. I have put my business on the back burners. I have studied this subject more than any other in my lifetime. Some days I've thought--"No Way, Cant happen", other days the evidence has been overwhelming which led me to spend money to buy preps. I realize the government is in a catch-22 with this Date change.

When I contemplated the potential outcome of supply disruptions a while back. I knew if it happened, most people who have never gone a day without food would be in deep doo-doo and wondered how they would effect me if I had prepped thoroughly. At that time I knew I did not want to go around my neighborhood (suburb of D.C.) with flyers.

As I write this post I find myself thinking about the neighborhood,who,what,when,where etc. the LAST thing that I would be doing at this point in the year is talking to anyone about Y2K preps. ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!! No maybe it is you really don't believe that you may be sitting in your house in two months or less and there is no food at the store, no gas for the car, no heat in the house and no water or anyone of the above. And then you look at all those people you tried to convince over the weekend to prepare.

Hang on a second---I hear a knock at the door!!

-- D.B. (dciinc@aol.com), November 15, 1999

Answers

Yes, it's time to clam up. It has been for some time now. There's not much point at this late stage, unless it's a very close relative that is close to getting it. It's amazing though, an individual can still prepare. They can walk into Sam's Club and stock up today.

Noah didn't open the ark doors after it started raining and I don't plan on opening my doors either. Those pollies will have to die, just as they did in Noah's day.

-- Larry (cobol.programmer@usa.net), November 15, 1999.

I've been worrying about y2k for the last two years now. Most people still think I'm off my rocker, but I have managed to convince some people I care about that there might be a problem. Now I'm starting to feel the same way you do.

Let the chips fall where they may. Ive learned in the past few weeks that we have more to worry about than y2k. For instance solar flares, War with China or Russia, worldwide terrorism. I could go on and on. I have a feeling God is about to test the faith of his people.

-- tired of worrying (halyman@bellsouth.net), November 15, 1999.

Hmm ... hadn't thought o' that! Yeah, guess it might not be such a hot idea to do that anymore ... you're just identifying yourself as a place for them to come get supplies!

-- Bruce W. Roeser (broeser@ccgnv.net), November 15, 1999.

Some people, however, are just beginning to get nervous. Lots of Y2K talk is hitting the media these days, what with the movie about to air on national TV and all. Can't hurt to have a prep list (like Stan's) on hand to give to those who show an interest in wanting to get ready.

If you're in PA, call the Penn State Extension office nearest you and ask for a few copies of their wonderful checklist-laden booklet, "Consumers and the Year 2000 (Y2K)". Nobody can do a thorough job at this late date, but I take comfort in the idea that maybe a few more families can at least stock enough to give them some thinking time.

I'm not promoting door-to-door efforts here. But even if you haven't mentioned Y2K in awhile, chances are that lots of people know you were interested at one time. I'm just saying be ready if they approach you. Don't talk about your preps; just help them figure out where to begin with theirs.

-- Faith Weaver (suzsolutions@yahoo.com), November 15, 1999.

I just convinced the inlaws to prepare for two weeks minimum. I informed them to do it now as the last week of the year will be to late.

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), November 15, 1999.

I have also been trying to convince people to research this, if they understand the way the global economy works, which most do, they would understand the impact... only if the read the compelling information available.

However, the PR on this has been incredible and most people believe what they hear and see on TV. The last mention of this to a friend, and I pushed my argument pretty hard, his response was if their are problems, I will just come to your house. So, you're right people in need will seek. Good luck to all.

-- Rich (rluck@aol.com), November 15, 1999.

The only reason the you would now try to convince someone to prepare is that you really care about them...that and they live far away!

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), November 15, 1999.

It is as Gary North said, "They will remember!"

That's right. I REMEMBER the Hispanic family down the street on the corner sneaking in live chickens! And I expect my share of goat meat brought in from Mexico.

I'm just kidding about eyeing these people though what I described is true. Be a little careful not to burn bridges. Some of these clueless folk have powerful and deep networks to supplies.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), November 15, 1999.

On the other hand, if you do convince someone to prep, it's one less person to worry about...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), November 15, 1999.

I just visited relatives three hours away, taking them their xmas gifts in case we can't make it back there due to premature Y2K foulups. I have been completely unsuccessful in persuading them to prepare, but I did take them small (sports-bottle sized) water purifiers and packages containing the rehydration fluid recipe and all necessary ingredients. These were not wrapped up, so they could see them. I realize that a purifier that only cleans 200 gallons and the fluid recipe won't save them, but I hoped that it would make them see how serious this is. It was also my mother's birthday, and among her gifts were a new flashlight with batteries and a non-electric can opener. As for my neighbors, they're on their own. I mentioned it carefully to a few and got the old, "Oh, I'm sure they will get it fixed" speech.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), November 15, 1999.

Well, I for one, am kinda dissapointed in myself. I GI'd quite a long time ago, in 1997, and have not caused a single soul to GI in that time (the hubby GI'd at the same time I did so he doesn't count). No one. Not a soul. And I can be one of the most persuasive, convincing people you have ever met.

I thought about giving only practical, can be used post-Y2K gifts for Christmas, then I just said screw it, I am so tired of being the family kook. It is too late. I just hope and pray that things aren't too bad b/c I really love my family and I don't want them to die. I AM getting them non battery operated stuff and some warm sweats and entertainment type stuff--books, etc--nothing frivolous

I just want to say here, that I remember at the beginning of this yr everyone was talking about how many plans people would be making for celebrating, etc. And I know not a SOUL who is actually going out on New Year's Eve. I mean, I know some people must be, but I don't know of any, and I know a LOT of people and have asked them their New Year's Eve plans. Weird, huh? There must be some kind of low level awareness anyway, just not enough to translate into action.

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), November 16, 1999.

Sure, but that limited food supply may as well go to the DGI's that YOU care about rather than to the masses of suddenly awoken Joe Blow DGI's all over the tech-reliant world.

The point about making yourself conspicuous to hungry DGI's is a very valid one. How about this: if you truly believe that there are going to be food problems, then buy, buy, buy using plastic. If you can manage it, buy three times what you planned to for yourself. Buy as cheap as you can, and use plastic. When it becomes obvious that things ARE going wrong, go to your immediate (DGI) neighbours on either side, get them together, show them how much you have (watch their eyes bulge) and offer to trade or sell (not give, SELL) them food to equalise all three stocks. Ask them if they want to split further, but make it clear that you want an equal split between an agreed number of households. Further, suggest that after the initial split, if any of these households are later approached by THEIR begging DGI friends/family/neighbours, that you are willing to consider contributiong to a further group split, IF ALL THE ORIGINAL HOUSEHOLDS AGREE.

Why do it this way? It's not to make money (sell at sticker price), or even because you think cash or cheques will be worth anything. It's simply to start a neighbourhood co-op on an equal footing. This way, it's not so obvious that you are handing out charity. You now have three or more households who have a common interest and an idea of how it's possible to stay civilised and reasonable even in adversity.

OK, it's not an ideal solution, but it's the best that I can think of, and it's something that *I* can see myself doing with my neighbours. It's easy to say "Turn 'em away," but there's two problems with that. One, I like them, and two, they'll be back and next time they might not ask. :(

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), November 16, 1999.