To Hoff, Flint, and Ken Decker:

I couldn't disagree with you more about most of the points you bring up; in a few areas I agree with you. I'm much more "pessimistic", if you will. But I've now seen more of your posts and you've earned my respect. For the most part you seem to be trying hard to keep it rational and civil; ad hominem is almost non-existent.

Stick around. It's going to get very interesting.

-- eve (123@4567.com), November 02, 1999

Answers

Thank you, but I have engaged in the occasional personal attack. (Guilty as charged, your honor.) When approached in a civil manner, I do try to respond in kind. If you have a question, I will try to answer it based on my experience. It has never been my intent to make people feel badly for having Y2K concerns (or preparing). My focus on this forum has been to encourage THINKING.

I do appreciate your warm remarks and hope you choose to engage in the always interesting dialogue.

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), November 02, 1999.

I agree. Although I may disagree with these guys, I respect the fact that they usually don't post smartass comments like many posters from both sides of the argument. Facts, even if incomplete, are better than sarcasm, which is all that many posters have to offer. (Limited IQ does have a way of limiting one's contribution, you know).

-- haha (haha@haha.com), November 02, 1999.

I've probably been less successful than either Hoffmeister or Decker at remaining civil. Still, I try to address issues most of the time, and treat most people here as intelligent adults.

Like Ken, I don't feel that slogans are a useful substitute for thought. For each clue we read about, I try to ask "What might this clue mean?" rather than "How can I make this clue fit my opinion?" This, in practice, leads me to conclude that bad news is probably bad and good news is probably good. When I'm accused of hypocrisy for doing so, I know I'm on the right track.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), November 02, 1999.

Damn! I hate falling into a group such as these three. Especially that old grunt Decker... but hey, to the small extent I have observer these fellows seem to me to be pretty 'middle-of-the-road'. I have had words with flint and when it was over, I had gained a bit of respect for his position, so... I'm in.

-- (...@.......), November 02, 1999.

Looks like you guys might have a fan club, after all. I don't see that as a bad thing per se. Maybe, it will take some of the edge off your method and madness. (laughing) Perhaps, our conversations can grow up, move from adolescene to adulthood. We'll see.

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 03, 1999.

I have just returned from a mohth in Georgia (perhaps Cory would refer to this as "site C") and this post represents a refreshing commentary.

This forum is made rich and robust by a number of frequent participants, several of the most notable being respondents to this thread.

It is my desire that all will continue to make their thoughts and perspectives known for not only the remainder of this year but throughout Y2K as well.

Ken, I had posed several questions to you before I left concerning the role of gold. Have you read them?

With respect,

-- Dave Walden (wprop@concentric.net), November 03, 1999.