This is what Clinton said in last night's State of the Union adress about Y2K:

We also must be ready for the 21st century from its very
first moment, by solving the so-called Y2K computer problem.
(Applause.)
 
We had one member of Congress stand up and applaud.
(Laughter.) And we may have about that ratio out there
applauding at home, in front of their television sets. But
remember, this is a big, big problem. And we've been working
hard on it. Already, we've made sure that the Social Security
checks will come on time. (Applause.) But I want all the
folks at home listening to this to know that we need every
state and local government, every business, large and small,
to work with us to make sure that this Y2K computer bug will
be remembered as the last headache of the 20th century, not
the first crisis of the 21st. (Applause.)

Question: What should he have said?

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), January 20, 1999

Answers

I resign?

-- Mark Hillyard (foster@inreach.com), January 20, 1999.

"The recent financial crisis, global warming, and Y2K are evidence of the instability and failure of our current systems. We need new ways of relating as individuals and communities.

Remember this is a big, big problem.

I want all the folks at home listening to this to know that we need every state and local government, every business large and small, to work with us."

And this could have been the response:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch- msg.tcl?msg_id=000PAq

~C~

-- Critt Jarvis (Wilmington, NC) (critt@critt.com), January 20, 1999.

We also must be ready for the 21st century from its very first moment, by solving the Y2K computer problem, or by insuring that we protect ourselves to the best of our ability from the havoc which it will cause.

Unfortunately, we only had one member of Congress stand up and applaud, even though Congress has been well informed over the past year of the magnitude of the problem. And we may have about that ratio out there applauding at home, in front of their television sets. This is a disasterous state of affairs, for which this Government must take responsability. Remember, this is a big, big problem. We have been working hard on it, but it's been too little too late. I want all the folks at home listening to this to know that we need every state and local government, every business, large and small, to work with us to make sure that this Y2K computer bug will be remembered as the last headache of the 20th century, not the first crisis of the 21st. (Applause.) However, since there are only 11 months remaining before 01/01/2000, I would like to take this opportunity to advise all citizens to begin NOW to make personal preparations, as the American Red Cross and FEMA recommend. I am declaring a National Day of Prayer since that is truly our only hope. May God Bless America and each and every one of you.

-- Sheila (sross@bconnex.net), January 20, 1999.

C Much as I completely agree with you, at the same time, you can't expect a Bilderberg Puppet to do or say anything that is going to be helpful to the American general public.......they're too busy planning and purpertrating the New Global Environment with Socialistic government to line their own pockets. They don't have time to worry about who(as in John Q. Public)loses or gets cheated/destroyed in the process.

Sandy

-- Paul & Sandy Stambaugh (patches96@worldnet.att.net), January 20, 1999.

I admit that I have lied to you and have lied to the Grand Jury about almost everything, But I am not lying to you now about Y2K. It is a big big problem. Government won't be able to help you when the power goes off and the telephones don't work. When the stores run out of food with no way to re-stock, what are you going to do? You must start now to make provisions for your own survival. No one is going to do it for you. You have been depending on government for too long. Now, start taking this seriously and, DO IT, NOW.

-- Herbert Johnson (HERB87@JUNO.COM), January 20, 1999.

Ditto Herbert!

-- James Chancellor (publicworks1@bluebonnet.net), January 20, 1999.

Exactly! What should Clinton have said? My fellow Americans, now is the time to buy generators, stock up on food and water, take a few weeks of savings out of your bank accounts, and by all means, don't panic! It would have taken him another hour or more to explain the computer problem, y2k, to the country. What percentage of the population could begin to fathom the enormity of the problem? I'm a 52 year old mother of two grown sons, a registered nurse by profession. Up until two years ago I was completely computer illiterate. A small column in our local paper brought y2k to my attention in August, 1998 as it related to PC's. I did a search on y2k and found Gary North. That was TEOTWAWKI for me. Since then I've spent untold hours reading and printing information and preparing. I don't feel stupid and don't consider my self a "survivalist" just an informed citizen trying to maintain some balance on this matter. Don't laugh when I refer to an old 80's movie, The Karate Kid. My sons loved it, we saw it several times. What bearing could this have on y2k? The theme of the movie was balance. Don't be swayed by all the radical opinions out there. Y2K could be anything from the "bump in the road" to the "Armageddon". How could we possibly know or predict the future? But what good does it do to allow paranoia or radicalism to cloud our thought processes? What good does all the arguing about the possible outcome do? The extremists on y2k disservice everyone as they rant and rave and will the outcome to fulfill their selfish agendas. The Gary Norths and Jerry Falwells push the limits of the discussion. Don't ignore them but don't let them control your minds either. I've visited your forum for the past week now. Your sharing of ideas and suggestions for preparation are invaluable. You bring a sense of reality to this surreal situation. Continue to inform us GI's and give us the sane moderation we need to meet this challenge. Don't go off the deep end and plant reasons for suspicions of Federal Government plots to keep the citizenry in the dark. The Federal Government has over 2 million people to consider. Would the interests of this country be better served at this moment to have 2 million people panicing? As you prepare and realize how much more difficult it is to aquire what you want personally, consider the dilemma of the government. Be thankful that you've had the good fortune and knowledge to make an informed judgement about y2k and all its possibilities for disruption. Keep the balance, keep searching for the truth, be patient with the DGI's, and don't fear the criticism. Stand up for what you believe to be true, put your necks (reputations) on the line. I, for one, value and need your ability to get the facts out. I'm grateful to the Ed Yourdon's, and the Ed Yardeni's, the Vanity Fair Magazines, and anyone in the programing field that can shed a balanced light on this problem without terrifying me into a panic. I'm certain there are others that share my views and my appreciation of those of you that are sounding the alarm and taking the heat for it. As I said, TEOTWAWKI has already taken place for many of us, I'm certain!

-- Y2K READY (jdufrene@laci.net), January 20, 1999.

Doesn't matter what he could have said, who can believe a liar? We have been telling people we come into contact with that it's a serious problem, and do they take you seriously, do they believe you? Clinton couldn't have said anything to stir the masses, he can't create public panic just yet, that will all come when it's too late.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 20, 1999.

I wish the population of the United States was only 2 million people. Over 2 hundred million would be more accurate. Please excuse me, I'm a lowly freshman at this! Thanks.

-- Y2K READY (jdufrene@laci.net), January 20, 1999.

Probalby would be more like 2 million panicking if it's TEOTWAWKI, the rest will be dead.

-- (Sorry@ss.com), January 20, 1999.