The government can't lose, in my opinion.

If y2k causes only minor problems, they can say "they were right" and that they did the "right things."

If, however, there are problems -- or major problems -- they can instantly "demonize" U.S. business, who "self-reported" that they were almost totally "y2k ready." NERC told us...you know...

In other words, the government can then say, with a straight face: "They lied to you and to us. It's their fault, not ours."

Slimey, isn't it?

joe

-- joe (joe@develop.net), November 26, 1999

Answers

Plausible deniability. Yes that is slimey.

"To protect the public safety, welfare and ..."

---

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), November 26, 1999.

Government will buy the people, floor the people and shove the people, so help us trod.

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), November 26, 1999.

Oh please! Like there's a chance in hell .gov is going to blame the companies that grease their wheels (and palms). Nope, we'll hear something from Clinton like:

"My Felllow Americans, despite the expenditure of over a hundred billion dollars by Government and Corporate American it has become apparent that some Y2K problems remain. We are confident that they will be resolved quickly and actions are being taken to ensure that any side-effects caused by these problems will be minimal for the majority of the public. It is important that we pull together as a Nation to meet this challenge by not allowing false rumors to fan the flames of panic. I urge you to cooperate with local law enforcement agencies which may temporarily be granted additional authority in enforcing the law and allocationing resources to ensure the safety, well being, and comfort of those effected by this last head-ache of the 20th century.

It has become apparent that at least some of these problems are the result of cyber-warfare attacks on both corporate and govermental computer systems. We are conducting an investigation to determine the individuals and nations originating these attacks and will deal with them appropiately when we have determined their source."

Which translated will mean:

We're screwed. We have no idea when any of this stuff will be working again. I'm giving the 'troops' power to do whatever it takes to keep people in control. Please don't burn down our cities.

We haven't decided which country to pin the blame on yet, but when we do you'll see the bombs dropping, live on CNN...

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), November 26, 1999.

TECH32:

When the time comes, which it will in early January, Clinton's BEST PR speech writers couldn't and WON'T write it any better or different than they way you just did. Absolutely "write" o

-- DarkestjustB4thedawn (publicrelations@spin.com), November 27, 1999.

If Y2K causes only minor problems, the government can say "they were right" because they were right.

If they turn out to be wrong, I don't think the people will let them get away with it. In the 30's, people held the government responsible for the depression and voted in a new administration because of it.

-- Lurking on the sidelines (Alw@ys lurking.com), November 27, 1999.

If things are hard next year there might be more than one party to choose from in the next election.

Personally, I'd prefer the current corporate-party stay in control by keeping us all fat and happy. If they can manage that then I'll continue to support them by not voting.

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), November 27, 1999.

I think TECH32 is right. If we have problems they will be blamed on cyberterroism rather than y2k. Clinton is just fabulous at offering excuses rather than taking responsibility. He will lie as long as there is no proverbial "blue dress"!

-- (formerly known as nobody@nowhere.vvv), November 27, 1999.

Why of coarse it will be Reagan's fault.

-- chicken farmer (chicken-farmer@ y2k.farm), November 27, 1999.

No to all of the above, at least according to Tom Benjamin, journalist and flamer of the obvious egotists (read, Charles P. Reuben, Y2k Pro, Doomers Suck, etc.) in the "polly" camp.

He wrote:

"The rules are very easy to understand. Before 2000/01/01, computer programmers are heroes fighting the millennium bug and can do no wrong. Therefore, there can be no Y2k problems prior to the one true date. No matter what. After 2000/01/01, computer programmers will magically morph into the incompetent, arrogant a**holes who - at best - are completely responsible for very expensive inconveniences. If it rains in January, it is their fault."

The guy has a way with words. Memorize them.

-- inquiring minds (want@to.know), November 27, 1999.

inquiring minds,

I don't think that'll work. I mean, why demonize the ONLY people who can get everything working again? Blame it on the programmers and they will walk, and NOTHING that is broken will ever work again...

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), November 27, 1999.

Folks:

I vote that we blame Flint ;-).

Best wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), November 27, 1999.

Flint is to blame

-- zoobie (xoobiezoob@yahoo.com), November 27, 1999.