I'll be the first to admit I sometimes have a sharp tongue and maybe perhaps just one or two possible apparent blind spots. (Who said something about British understatement? Stop that!) However, it occurs to me that there might be quite a number of new visitors to this site tonight and over the next day or so, depending on how 60 Minutes presents its Y2K segment and on a host of other variables, and we ought to show them our BEST side.

I promise to do my utmost when it comes to tongue-biting and mouth-zipping. I do, really, unless somebody flames a newbie, then look out! So if you right honorable gentlepersons don't mind, wouldja just put a sock in it for a day or two? At least let the newbies get used to us a bit before you start in on them and one other--agreed? It's just a cease-fire, okay?

Y'all know what constitutes views labeled "extreme". Let's just keep to the middle ground (like Critt does so well)--it's only for a day or two, just so we don't scare 'em away, not just from us but from Y2K as well. Let's try to live down the stereotype fruitcake image. (Even if we really ARE stereotypical fruitcakes. I know I am.)

Remember that those prompted to visit by 60 Minutes are going to be a little afraid and insecure. They may even be shocked, we don't know. Depends on the program. But let's be prepared for this too, okay? Let's try not to frighten them off. Be gentle with them and one other--just for a day or two. We desperately need every new pair of hands, you KNOW we do.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 23, 1999

Answers

I hardly ever watch TV. Can anybody plese tell me what time 60 minutes is on at Mountain States time? Thanks!

-- woke up (Wokeup@toy2k.com), May 23, 1999.

It's on CBS at 7:00 PM today on the EAST coast. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), May 23, 1999.

It's at 6:00 PM central time. so I would assume Mountain time would be 5:00 PM. I've been known to be wrong.

-- GeeGee (GeeGee@madtown.com), May 23, 1999.

Very good suggestion, Old Git

There is still enough time for people to get prepared, even today, if they are diligent. If some of the folks here start doing Waco stories, that wouldn't be helpful. The idea is to get as many people prepared before Y2K so that they are neither a burden on the government or on the prepared.

-- Doug (douglasjohnson@prodigy.net), May 23, 1999.

Old Git.

Promise to be nice here as well as elsewhere. Very much liked Doug's "...burden on the government..." angle. It might sell well to the media and help remediate our image. Not a fib. As long as we live here it IS our government.

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), May 23, 1999.

Old Git,

Outstanding foresight. I think I will be reposting my newbie thread on preparing. Beyond this, I recommend that some of us deal more gently and reasonably with the trolls during this time. Patience is required.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 23, 1999.

Good idea.

60-min is on at 7:00 pm Pacific Time, S.F. Bay Area.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 23, 1999.

Actually- it will probably take them (new GI's) a bit to find us- they'll have to do some looking first. Soooooo-maybe we can all be nice for a couple of weeks??

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 23, 1999.

Walkin away from the dinnertable (foodfight zone) to the fine dining table (impeccable manners) sound very reasonable. Remember, violence begets violence and bad manners usually gets a return of the same. Hmmmm....maybe some copying and pasting some of the finepoints of the past may not be a bad idea either like stan faryna will do with his newbie posts. I'll try to keep my keyboard shut until I see some way I can be of help.

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), May 23, 1999.

Old Git,

Article idea: Y2K and Ms. Manners?

;-D

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 23, 1999.

Diane, I think you've sparked a new thread. I'm going off to start it now!

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 23, 1999.

Good idea not to alienate any newbies. As a dyed-in-the-wool GI, of course OutingsR will hold off for a while.

-- OutingsR (us@here.yar), May 23, 1999.

Old Git,

I'll be happy to repost my preparation newbie thread when it scrolls off the new messages list. Depending on the rate of new posts, we'll see how often that is. Thanks for the suggestion.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 23, 1999.

I was just at the Debunker's Forum and found a message of seemingly profound hopelessness... I cried over it. I don't know if it is just sarcasm, but I just don't think we can take chances on this. It's bound to come up, again and again. We won't really know who needs help and who doesn't. I think we will need to do more than help the newbies prepare. We will need to give hope and courage to those that do not see hope if Y2K turns out to be anything more than a bump in the road.

Therefore, I propose (1) a suicide watch of sorts and (2) an effort to communicate hope and plant the seeds of courage... on this forum and elsewhere. I am not a social worker or a psychologist, so there is need for clear and practical thinking (as well as the various dictates of professional experience) on how we should deal with those so deeply troubled by potential Y2K problems that they believe death is better. I do not believe suicide is an answer. Any suicide will make us LESS.

I also believe that other forums may not be adequately prepared to deal with things. CPR's reply to the person in question was logical, but it was somewhat hard (as is his style). While Mr. Decker might be of some assistance in providing reassurances and letting us know who needs help, there are some gentle souls here that might be able to better reassure Vera and others. As for me... tonight, I get on my hands and knees and pray for Vera and others to not seek out suicide.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

Vera's message is as follows: http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi?acct=mb237006&MyNum=9 27514967&P=No&TL=927514967

Anyone thinking of compiling suicide suggestions? If even the more dull suggestions of the pessimists happen, then I don't want to be around for it. I'm thinking of arranging for a gun or something else to kill myself with, should the worst happen.

I have no experience in this area, obviously. Are there any books or web pages? Thanks. If the pessimists are right, this is the ultimate preparation for many of us.

Vera

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 24, 1999.

Why the nicey-face all of a sudden?

Oh I get it.

If any newbies see all the terrible stuff you Doomers call anybody who disagrees with you, they might not fall into your web! Oh I see.

That's how all cults work....act real nice at first...until they're hooked. Then back to business as usual (slamming anybody unmercifully who doesn't follow the party line).

An old story repeated. Git you're a party operative, I see. Worst of the worst.

-- Chicken Little (panic@forthebirds.net), May 24, 1999.

hahahahahahahahaha ha ha

ho ho ho ho hahah ho ho

stop it PD, my sides are hurting!

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 24, 1999.

Dear Plucked Chicken- You are seriously an idiot. All Git is requesting is that some people who cannot refrain from flaming others cool it a bit in order to enable newbies to wade thru the morass here and find something useful. That is not the definitiion of a cult. I'm sure you would prefer that all newbies depart this site in pure disgust and utter frustration. Some of us would like them to be able to access the information here and actually think about it. Why are you so scared to let them?

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 24, 1999.

"Dear Plucked Chicken- You are seriously an idiot. All Git is requesting is that some people who cannot refrain from flaming others cool it a bit in order to enable newbies to wade thru the morass here and find something useful." -- anita

Listen to what you are saying. "be nice so we can indoctrinate the newcomers; once they reach acolyte status, back to business as usual."

THAT is EXACTLY how a cult works. If you can't be yourselves *ALL THE TIME* then you are putting on a cult/religious face to 'snare' the unaware.

Welcome to the Cult of Yourdon. Anybody want a daisy?

-- IRONy MAN (marvel@comic.books), May 24, 1999.

Correction- most of us, myself included, are ourselves"all the time". Most of us don't spend our time flaming others and interupting serious posts and threads. Most of us on this forum want to discuss the implications of Y2K and preps for it. It's those who are only interested in debunking Y2k and who persist in trying to detour all conversations about it that this is intended for. If the shoe fits, wear it.

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 24, 1999.

Anita,

I'm not scared of much of anything.

I am bothered by some things, though, such as the things Irony Man and moi just pointed out in plain black and white.

Once again your own words hang your argument -- "most of us, myself included, are ourselves all the time" -- um.....if that were true, why would the topic of this thread even be necessary?

I'm starting to think that a "b" definition of "Doomer" should be "one who cannot detect the most elementary of logical concepts"

If I'm an idiot, yes you're right, I'm a serious idiot. Wouldn't want to say where that leaves you, though.

-- Chicken Little (panic@forthebirds.net), May 24, 1999.