1. I was trying to figure out why the government has been so vigorous in declaring everything to be just so completely Y2K ready. Since the general populace hasn't been alerted whatsoever and there isn't any sign of panic, I supposed that this everything-is-ready stance could be an outgrowth of national security--which is possible.

Then I was thinking about a recent post commenting on how there was no mention of the government's nonmission critical systems. Out of the blue, suddenly, the government tells us 97 percent of those are ready. If they are reacting to our feedback (due to monitoring this site, which is fairly obvious), then their interest IS in what the populace thinks--maybe plus national security, on the side.

2. My other thought for the day was how grateful I will be if there's only a terrible economic downfall and some slender degree of normalcy remains. I am so psychologically prepared for an end of all structure that any hint of people carrying on a civilized effort will be an enormous relief, no matter how much is wiped away.

That's because I'm ready mentally for what might come. What about the mass of the population that has no idea--and only expects bigger and better, as each news report promises. Those people will feel terribly bereft, while I'll feel sensationally grateful for some meager existence. (Go figure.)

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 16, 1999

Answers

Mara, your second thought has been my worry for a long time. Most households will be just waiting for things to get back to normal and when normal doesn't come....

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), December 16, 1999.

1. I was trying to figure out why the government has been so vigorous in declaring everything to be just so completely Y2K ready.

I have been trying to figure out why the .gov, .mil, and .states have all built bunkers, spent millions of dollars on preps, and will be on alert during the rollover when everythings Y2K-ok...

2. My other thought for the day was how grateful I will be if there's only a terrible economic downfall and some slender degree of normalcy remains.

Ditto...

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@AOL.COM), December 16, 1999.

Mara, Carol and Bob...you have hit it square. I agree completely. Thanks a lot!

-- Irving (irvingf@myremarq.com), December 16, 1999.

Do you honestly think that THIS website would be used a template for the entire population?

All I say is... yikes.

-- (get@real.already!), December 16, 1999.

I Know, Mara, I keep hoping for something less severe as well. But then I read threads like the one about the Massachusetts 'elite' going into their underground bunker for the Rollover(they're such chickensh!ts..)(and I wish I had a bunker!), and that excellent article by Bonnie Camp (put up by RPGman)on how this is going to be a Grimms Fairy Tale ending, and not a happy Disney version.

And I read the article today on Gary North's site about: "Now It's 14 Chernobyl-style Plants That Are Not Compliant". As of Dec 16, 1999. Oops. Where DID the time go?

So yeah; if we have 'only' a financial meltdown, I'll be relieved.

Keep the faith(I tell myself this as well...)

-- Doorbaby (tomG@h.com), December 16, 1999.

Hi Mara...

.....I think they are "ready," (not to be confused with compliant). My guess is that they are as ready as they can be for things to start falling apart, and possibly hoping that they can stay on top of it.

-- Patrick (pmchenry@gradall.com), December 16, 1999.

I don't agree, Patrick.

As I posted yesterday, with this burst of total victory declarations, the USG has painted itself into a corner, with no wiggle room. The government has positioned itself such that it cannot now claim ignorance if the outcome is bad. These people are not ignorant, althogh they do many things that we consider ignorant. They have far more information access than we on this forum will ever enjoy, and likely know better that us what our future is to be.

These victory statements are made as though as though no retreat or correction will ever be necesssary, no matter what happens past the rollover.

What do they have in mind?

dave

-- dave (wootendave@hotmail.com), December 16, 1999.

OK Dave...

.....I'll bite; What DO they have in mind?

-- Patrick (pmchenry@gradall.com), December 16, 1999.

Nah. The government can always say that THEY were lied to! All that self-reporting, you know...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), December 16, 1999.

I think the .gov and .media spinmeisters have set it up masterfully. Dave, I think you are right, and I think you are wrong, too. There is no way out of the Y2K corner. But, if you are to believe the spin, terrorism will be the reason for technology failures, not Y2K, thus creating a secret escape hatch for .gov.

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@AOL.COM), December 16, 1999.

When I find out, Patrick, I will post it. But I really do not expect another center fuel tank explosion.

dave

-- dave (wootendave@hotmail.com), December 17, 1999.