Are all the utillity company going to be upgrade to hamdle the turn of the century, so that we have electric , heat. running water and gas for our cars? Will I need to with draw my money from my bank, so I will still have money to live on? How will all this really affect us?

-- Patti Allen (golden_soul@mailexcite.com), January 07, 1999

Answers

Patti, if you're asking these questions now, you've got some catching up to do. Start with this forum, all of it. Archived threads and all. Take notes. Follow links. Print stuff out. Get curious.Think about what you find.

A long time ago a man said:

"Do not be satisfied with hearsay or with tradition or with legendary lore or with what has come down in scriptures or with conjectures or with logical inference or with weighing evidence or with liking for a view after pondering over it or with someone else's ability or with the thought "The monk is our teacher." When you know in yourselves: "These things are wholesome, blameless, commended by the wise, and being adopted and put into effect they lead to welfare and happiness," then you should practice and abide in them...."

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), January 08, 1999.

How will all this really affect us?

If anyone, anywhere on this planet could tell us this with absolute certainty, we could all turn out the lights and go home. There would be no need for research and no need for debate. There would be no need for disclosure and no need for analysis. This forum would be empty.

A few people are certain that they know exactly what will happen and those opinions range from 'nothing' all the way to 'ELE' (extiction level event). None of these people are correct because it hasn't happened yet and there is still some precious time to change the outcome - either for the better or for the worse.

I can't tell how all this will really affect us. I can't even tell you how all this will really affect me and my family.

What I can tell you is that some systems will be fixed and many others will not. Some disruption in basic services in some areas is almost inevitable. Other areas may be fine. Some business will fail. Others may survive.

In the end, I believe personal and community preparation to endure hardship is a prudent thing to do. Precisely what you need to do is entirely unique to your own specific situation.

You'll need to do a lot of research. A lot. And even then you are not going to come to any firm conclusions - there's just too many variables. But don't sit there paralyzed by it all. You can do A GREAT MANY things to improve your odds in the event of disruption in your area.

About the bank thing. In the end you'll need to make up your own mind about what is best for you but I would advise that you listen to as many different sources as possible. It is your money and it your responsibility - not the government's and not the bank's. Be cautious and don't make a rush to judgement. Talk to your bank but don't stop there. Don't be swayed by any one person's opinion. Don't act without thinking. Wait until you have done your research and are willing to live with the consequences of your actions even if they turn out to be wrong.

Good luck and best wishes.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), January 08, 1999.

You Best Plan for Uncertainty by Preparing for the Worst and hoping for the better.

MB

-- Matthew Bonner (Bonnermc@hotmail.com), January 08, 1999.

Are you the same Patti who has the chaffeur?

-- huh? (huh?@dah.com), January 08, 1999.

Arnie, just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your posts. No insults, no arrogance, no hot air. I've learned a lot from you.

-- Maria (encelia@mailexcite.com), January 08, 1999.