Heres the latest from "Dear Karen"

FREE E-zine "Dear Karen..." Advice for Women on the Concerns and Effects of the Year 2000 Problem (Y2K) By Karen Anderson (c) Copyright 1998-1999 Karen Anderson

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Issue #69 November 13, 1999

Topic: The Oprah Show and Hospital In A Box

Dear Friends,

I heard from the Oprah Show and they have decided to go with "heads of agencies" (meaning government type officials) only and they will not have any preparedness experts on the show. This is definite and the show is scheduled to air Nov 29th.

The producer I was working with was absolutely wonderful and did everything she could to get Mike Hyatt and me on the show but the "powers that be" decided to go a different direction.

I must tell you that I was really disappointed - not just because I wanted to be on "Oprah" (at least I don't have to lose 30 lbs. by Tuesday!) but because I know that her show touches so many and I've always felt that Oprah was the best way to reach women in all walks of life.

Although I genuinely feel honored to have been considered, I told my girlfriend that it was sort of like being 1st runner up in the Miss America pageant - really close but just not the same (maybe I can still get the Miss Congeniality award! ).

-- Taz (Taz@aol.com), November 14, 1999

Answers

I'd die of shame to have Karen Anderson in any way representing those who prepared. She is a child bride who spends much time trying to imitate Shirley Temple. I do not know of one Y2Ker in my own life who can stand her.

If the Opray were to pick a "Y2Ker" to represent us all my choice would be for Chuck Lanza of Dade County, Florida and author with Westergaard.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), November 14, 1999.

Sad, eh, Taz?

I am in disbelief that the "powers that be" will actually allow the NBC Y2K disaster special to air.

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), November 14, 1999.

This is a sad situation since so many people take Oprah's word as gospel truth. She should provide a forum where both sides can present their opinions and allow the audience/viewers to form their own opinions as to the seriousness of y2k.
There's too much at stake and people could be lulled into a false sense of security with such a one-sided barrage.

Why not, Email Oprah and let her know how important it is to provide an equal playing field.

-- Rainman (rainman@uh-oh.com), November 14, 1999.

Taz that was a good effort on your part.

You get today's special merit honorarium. Tah- Tah-

Oh well you get the idea. Could you keep in touch with the Opray contact, just in case they need some help with "whatever". You never know it could be an opportunity.

Just a thought and thank you again.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), November 14, 1999.

Here's the link to write to Oprah about the particular show on Y2K:

What are your Y2K fears?

I used the form to let her know that my current fear is that so many people watch and trust her, that if she only presents a don't-worry-be-happy show and misses the opportunity to encourage preparation then the resulting suffering will be much worse than if her show had encouraged preparation.

I encouraged that she use as background reading:

Y2K and the Global Trading System

Ye ar 2000 Facts, Forecasts, and Areas of Concern

Too bad she's not having some prep people on. Maybe, just maybe, she can at least ask some probing questions - though that's not really her style.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 14, 1999.

Thanks, I have e-mailed Oprah and will also send that link to my mailing list.

The following person was recommended by someone else in an earlier thread: Tony Brown of Tony Brown's Journal would be an excellent addition to the show (Y2K prep, Y2K show with ex-FBI agent, etc.)

-- (normally@ease.notnow), November 14, 1999.

Linda (lwmb@psln.com),

Thanks. Will compose something.

Tried a year ago... ZIP... NADA....(If Oprah Had A Y2K TV Show -- What Should She Cover?)

Diane

Oprah: In The Works

What are your Y2K fears?

Do you worry you won't have any heat, water, enough food, or gas for your car?

Are you concerned about flying on New Year's Eve? Do you have a flight booked?

Do you have financial concerns  like not being able to get cash out of your ATM? Are you worried about your stocks, or the money in your savings account?

How are you preparing for the new millennium? Is your family taking any extra precautions?

The Oprah Winfrey Show wants to hear your Y2K concerns. Let us know because we are going to get you some answers! Thanks, we look forward to hearing from you!

Fill out the form...

http://www.oprah.com/show/be_on_the_show/y2k.html#form

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 14, 1999.

The only way she'd ask probing questions would be if one of the government agency heads had ever been tape recorded using the N-word.

-- Oprah aint (Miss@thing.com), November 14, 1999.

One of the perceived negatives with most preparedness experts is the fact they are in business to sell products. Karen Anderson (Hospital In a Box), Michael Hyatt (Food, Videos, Books, etc.), Gary North (That and More), and others are all peddling products for profit and that could taint their credibility. Unfortunately, the government and industry types are not looked at in the same light but should be. They have something to sell also but it is not so well defined. Whoever participates in this show will have little time to be right or wrongvery interesting.

-- Truth (at@the.ready), November 14, 1999.

--OK, I just emailed that show, too. Put the "shame" on them, politely, of course, but firm and direct. We'll see what we get back. I almost didn't want to do it, given my previous "Oprah" rant, but what the heck, 5 minutes of time. Let's see what the force multiplier effect does. --zog the non ranter in this instance

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), November 14, 1999.

FWIW, I sent them a message, too. Challenged her not to let her show be one more place to parade the happy faces. She'll never see it, but I invested the two minutes to do it.

-- homestead2 (homestead@monreocty.net), November 14, 1999.

So Truth...

You think Koskinen DOESN'T have something to "sell?"

Just different... and a bigger dollar exchange... or not... results from his actions.

Think... status quo... and forget the little folks.

Sheesh!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 14, 1999.

Diane, you of all people. Please read my post again and you will see that I most assuredly think Mr. K has something to sell. Example:

"Unfortunately, the government and industry types are not looked at in the same light but should be. They have something to sell also but it is not so well defined."

Comment?

-- Truth (at@the.ready), November 14, 1999.

Sorry.

Caught the first part and "saw red." You do tend to criticize preparers a tad on this forum, ya know.

Also need to wear reading glasses now. *Big bummer*

I'll try to watch Oprah's Y2K show when it hits. Some of her's are great. Don't hold much "hope" for talking dot gov heads unless there's a truth serum she can give 'em.

Now THAT would be an "interesting" show.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 14, 1999.

Diane, if you are wearing reading glasses now, get a pair that is distance specific between your eyes and the computer screen [I had a friend actually measure with a tape measure]. Regular bi-focals are set to read too close for a screen. Not only will you be able to see better but your neck won't have a crick in it from tilting your head back for hours at a time trying to read screens.

Growing old is such an adventure!

-- Mitchell Barnes (spanda@inreach.com), November 14, 1999.

Diane...

I am myself prepared for at least a year of serious disruptions. This has been an important part of my family lifestyle for many years. My criticism is directed at the lunatic extremists and those that have gone over the edge. I realize that one persons nutcase is anothers savior but, like all the rest of you, I maintain the right to express my opinion.

-- Truth (at@the.ready), November 14, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Here's what I wrote to Oprah:

Dear Oprah,

I heard, today, that you'll be doing a show on Y2K, featuring government spokespeople. I feel this is a big mistake, since the government has gotten plenty of coverage in the mainstream media already. The public is being lulled into a false sense of security. The people who are not being heard from are those who understand that Y2K has the potential to be an enormous disaster. Preparation now, while the supply lines are still open can make a huge difference in allowing more people to survive.

It would be best to choose someone who does not have a stake in the sales of any Y2K product, so that they can be more easily believed. One good candidate would be Paloma O'Riley, the founder of the Cassandra Project, who is now working in the area of Y2K Public Safety Accountability (http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/richard/887/home.htm#head). Another excellent candidate would be Diane Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), lead operator of the TimeBomb2000 forum which was founded by Ed Yourdon, author of some well-respected Y2K.

Please, check out my Y2K page for links to several worthy sites at which you can learn about why Y2K is a much bigger problem than the government is letting on about (http://www.lacarte.org/y2k/). Won't you please take a little while to inform yourself? Maybe the woman who stood up to the cattle industry can become known as the one who was willing to speak truth to the people regarding Y2K as well! People will listen to you. You're well respected.

Tracie (Dancr)

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), November 15, 1999.

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE OPRAH SHOW FOR THREE YEARS NOW , AND I AM PROBABLE STILL DOING THE WRONG THING. I AM A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR I AM ALSO A DISABLE V-VET I HAVE DEVELOPED A BRA FOR WOMEN THAT DEVELOPE BREAST CANCER, THIS BRA WILL TAKE THEM FROM THERE FIRST SURGERY THROUGH THE WHOLE RECOVERY PROCESS THIS BRA WILL BE THE BEST FRIEND A WOMEN CAN HAVE GOING THROUGH BREAST CANCER AND CHEMO, I KNOW THE BRA WORKS I MADE IT FOR MYSELF, I AM NOW AN EIGHT YEAR SURVIVOR, I ALSO GOT THE BRA PATTEN AND IT CAME BACK FROM THE U. S. PATTEN OFFICE WITH TWENTY CLAIMS. I WANT TO HELP OTHER WOMEN SO BAD THAT ARE GOING THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH, AND THOSE THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT IN THE FURTURE PLEASE IF YOU CAN HELP ME OPRAH MY ADDRESS IS 6073 CHEROKEE VALLEY TERRACE LITHONIA GEORGIA 30058 PHONE # 678-418-9634 MY NAME IS DEBBIE BROOKS THANK YOU.

-- DEBBIE BROOKS (DEBI282@BELLSOUTH.NET), January 06, 2003.