Wis. Family Spent $20,000 for Y2Kgreenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread |
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20000102/aponline011840_000.htmWis. Family Spent $20,000 for Y2K The Associated Press Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000; 1:18 a.m. EST
HUDSON, Wis. Dennis Olson is a little disappointed: After all, he spent $20,000 on food, drinking water, medical supplies and a generator to prepare for Y2K-related chaos that never happened on New Year's Day.
"It's a little bittersweet to see it end this way," said Olson, a 41-year-old electrical engineer and computer consultant.
Olson, who has a wife and two teen-age sons, feared the Y2K computer bug might bring power shortages or water-system failures or even government-imposed martial law. He said he logged more than 1,000 hours on the Internet chatting with like-minded survivalists.
"I studied everything there was to know about the power grid, the just-in-time supply system, fuel shipments, food storage, communications and martial law," he said. "I even have a medical kit equipped for minor surgery."
As for the 400 boxes of Hamburger Helper in his basement, the 175 pounds of pasta, 50 bars of soap, nine tubes of toothpaste and other supplies they may be needed yet, Olson said Saturday.
"This is hardly over," he said. "Thank God, we got through to night. I did the happy dance. But I don't think we're out of the woods until May or June. Plenty of computer problems can turn up between now and then."
If they don't, Olson said he would likely donate some provisions to organizations serving the needy.
-- Y2k Hoax (rice@beans.net), January 02, 2000
It hasn't started yet.
-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), January 02, 2000.
Hmmm. $20,000 invested in Liberate (NASDAQ:LBRT) at $15.00/share on August 4, 1999 = 1333 shares. Closing price for LBRT on December 30, 1999: $257.00/share. Estimated current value of portfolio: $342,581.00
-- Truk (truk@loa.moc), January 02, 2000.
Andy, why does your comment make me feel better? Am I willing to see people suffer so I don't have to be wrong? This whole thing sure is weird.
-- Gary (nada@rollover.gov), January 02, 2000.
Truk,For most of us this isn't about making a profit ,it is about looking out for out family and friends when we percieve a threat,nothing more.
-- pop (pops@poppin.fresh), January 02, 2000.
Well, Pop, then I assume you won't let your family in motorized vehicles on public roads, let them smoke cigarettes, access mass media, etc. Remember, Joe Blow who bought 1333 shares of LBRT in August still could have sold a few in early December 1999 and bought a few supplies, etc. and still have enough to send one kid to an Ivy League school.
-- Truk (truk@loa.moc), January 02, 2000.
For Gary: I sure wouldn't like to see anyone suffer to have a point proved, either way, frankly. People dying for or from Y2K (as it were) tain't fun. An obvious point, sure, but if nothing happens, use your planning for good -- food for charity, etc., as has been suggested.About all I would wish right now is that Andy would get a really good back massage. Otherwise the poor guy will seize up with the tension. Truly, biliousness isn't cool! ;-)
-- Ned Raggett (ned@kuci.org), January 02, 2000.
So tell me, Truk -- how big is *your* LBRT position?Me, I think I'll keep -- and add to -- my position in HEPH.
-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), January 02, 2000.
Ron, my investment positions are a matter of business for my broker, myself, and my tax guy. If I really thought my positions are worth divulging, I'd be VP of Investments at a brokerage firm or a mutual fund manager.
-- Truk (truk@loa.moc), January 02, 2000.
Turk,Your an Idiot...anyone can in hind site quote millions of missed opportunities for example what do 12 13 19 34 44 and 50 mean to you..
With only one dollar here in BC you could have returned 13.2 million and your a looser if you didnt buy a ticket.
And I bet you dont buy fire insurance either....Ah I wont bother explaaining that to you.....like I said, Youre an idiot.
-- danny (dan_evans@bc.sympatico.ca), January 02, 2000.
Truk, You bastard! Why didn't you tell us last August that you knew LBRT was going to go up 1600% in less than five months?!Give us your next pick...come on, no holding out now!
-- Nathan (nospam@all.com), January 02, 2000.
Fire and earthquake are comprehensive coverages in the association dues here (as well as landscaping, water, garbage, cable television, subsidized laundry machines, and a few other goodies), so in a sense you're right: No, I do not cut a separate check for fire insurance.
Danny, unlike the lottery, there are ways to assess risk in the equity market. You should really read a book on investment. The chances of investing X dollars in the lottery and getting a return equivalent to the S&P500 is very, very low. However, you can pretty much guarantee an S&P500 equivalent return simply by investing in some of the better-performing index funds (there are a couple S&P500 index funds that actually outperform the index).
-- Truk (truk@loa.moc), January 02, 2000.
Nathan, it wouldn't have made a difference. Doomers wouldn't have listened anyway...
-- Truk (truk@loa.moc), January 02, 2000.
Turk, You didnt get my point, What are the odds that your house will burn down? 1 /10,000 so why do you buy insurance the odds are so in your favour.And for your stock market analysis, I dont think I have time to make you look like an idiot here tonignt but were you reincarnated from some stock promoter in 1929... I know its all different now we have greenspam who can take care of anything. I agree histoically you could havre or did make money in the pyramid we call the S&P 500 but logically it can not last...We are in an unprecidented time of inflation right now and its only a matter of time untill buuble.com bursts. I know you have many arguments against that, but give me one that doesnt involve past performance. and if you want to look at historical perspective in the long run youd be better off buying bonds.
-- danny (dan@sympatico.ca), January 02, 2000.
Danny, that's fine. You do whatever you want with your money. I really don't care. Go and buy your bonds. I'm still young enough anyway that my investment strategy can be much more aggressive than that of a retiree or someone with college-bound children. It's really cool how this turned into an investment thread!Nighty night!
-- Truk (truk@loa.moc), January 02, 2000.
I think you ALL missed the most important part of this article:400 boxes of Hamburger Helper in his basement
YUCK! Forget investment portfolios... this guy needs serious help with his pantry portfolio!
But where are the articles like this bemoaning the $50 million on the Kosky's bunker/ICC? Or the training cost for Sacramento which had 4 times the usual number of officers on duty and said they had been in training for 2 years? Multiply that by all the bunkers/command centers around the country and all the extra training, riot gear, generators, etc. that the various local, state and federal government's spent.
Hey... this article is just more of the spin that had us focusing on people with their beans, rice and camo gear instead of focusing on the problem. Same MO.. different day. Rendon Group is still at work. It ain't over till the spin cycle stops.
-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), January 02, 2000.
Linda, allow me to paraphrase you. How about, 'it ain't over until WE say it's over and WE determine what is spin and what is reality'. If y2k taught anything, it was that most media reporting of what-if scenarios was about as appropriate as reporting that little green men MIGHT land in Times Square to say hello.When it got down to it, the DeJagers and Yourdons of the world noted the potential ramifications of y2k and thankfully, most corporations were listening. The dropping off point between the prognosticators came within the basic concept regarding y2k work actually being able to be completed. Some said no, some said yes.
The spin is still going on. Ridiculous factoids are still fanning the flames of paranoia (see up above). Won't you learn your lesson.
The individual who spent 20K on the non-event will face some hard questions on a personal level. There are familial questions to answer. However, the vitriol he posted and the hate he spewed--on this and on other sites--seem to have been concocted if for no other reason to validate his expenditures.
I wish him well in his attempts to put his life back together.
-- Bad Company (johnny@shootingyouknow.com), January 02, 2000.
BOLD off thank you
-- plonk! (realaddress@hotmail.com), January 02, 2000.