If you were the Govt and were convinced that society was not going to make it because of the y2k problem what would you do.

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If it were me I would probably follow what they did on the movie deep impact right after Christmas. With a hope that who ever survives on the surface can be comforted in knowing that enough talent was protected to help society sucessfully rebuild after the y2k fallout runs its course. If I was the Govt I would be transparent and honest about this awfull y2k problem and do what is the right thing to do in the time remaining. #1 Honest disclosure, #2 prepostion all churches and schools as first responder stations and set it up starting now irregardless of the cost. Preposition Food and key medical supplies now and work out how the resupply lines will be kept open. Start traning people now. It will take teams working 24/7 before the event day to get things working again. Make sure they can get to there jobs even if social unrest starts.

-- y2k aware mike (Y2k aware mike @ conservation . com), November 26, 1999

Answers

But, it isn't you. It isn't me. It's Slick Willie and Company. Nuff said.

-- pizzaman (cjwarner@yahoo.com), November 26, 1999.

Mike,a honest disclosure at this point would cause panic.A year or two years ago would have been the time to tell the public to prepare for the posibilities of no heat,water,lights,massive unemployment,food,medicine and gasoline shortages.

I am so concered about the shortage of places where people can go to keep warm and fed.I pray it's not as bad as we think it will be.

I tried to get a ex relative and his wife to tell the people of the church to prepare for y2k and why it was so important to do so.He was the temporary pastor at the time.They looked at me like I was over reacting ,but I really think they just didn't want to get involved.I ask another person if his church was or was planning to inform their members,the answer was no.Call me dumb,but I thought that would be one of the best places to inform and help the community to prepare.The idea of using churches and schools as shelters,prepared ahead of time,would help those who will be in need.How many church doors will be closed,that could have been a blessing to so many?

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), November 26, 1999.


Well, if I truly believed that it was going to be a TEOTWAWKI, I'd, er, um... I was going to say "Declare martial law and use the troops to force people out of their offices and get them working on the land". But it's too late for that in the northern hemisphere. Er... I dunno. Frankly, I'll have to agree with tin foil hatters and say "Declare martial law, sieze all food and guns, allow hyper-inflation, and justify a cull of the unpriveleged by provoking them into food riots." Actually, that is a rather uncomfortable thought.

However, I don't believe that any government really believes in a TEOTWAWKI. I'll point out that they are getting the same mixed information that we are, and - for the third time today - say "cognitive dissonance". In a bump or a grind rather than a crash, I'd do what they ARE doing, i.e. say "Citizens: There is no need to prepare, therefore no need to panic. Institutions, utilities: keep working away at it. Miliary and relief: Prepare for the worst." I'd also stock up myself and then cross my fingers.

Erk. I agree with the government. And I didn't even see any contrails.

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), November 26, 1999.


If I was the (current) gov't and thought Y2K might bring down society I might:

- deflect blame from the administration by setting up a czar

- postpone panic by denying the problem for as long as possible to delay panic and allow status quo for as long as possible to hopefully give more time for the fix

- in that effort I would enlist the major media and also set in motion the "troll troops" to be ready to ridicule anyone who tried to alert the public to the problem

- make plans for marshall law, pass E.O.s, train the military in urban warfare etc.

But.... in my dream gov't I would have:

- had a major speech about the problem 2 - 3 years ago, at which I set up a cabinet level post on Y2K, and started a "war effort" to get prepared for the millennium

- encouraged all americans to be prepared for Y2K or any emergency by stockpiling 2 to 12 months of food and supplies, planting gardens etc.

- set up a panel of experts to set standards for windowing, testing, IV&V etc.

- set priorities on critical infrastructure components and ensure that they had the needed programmers, kept to schedules, and went through rigorous IV&V

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 26, 1999.


In the spring of 1998, the Wall Street Journal had an editorial about Y2K that came to the conclusion that the country should be preparing for the event as if we were going to war (stockpile, develop workarounds for disruptions, alternate communications etc).

That article was before the offical government spin campaign and was the first and last time I saw any major print media take the whole issue seriously.

The government, at it's highest---meaning that group of power-tripping megalomaniacs in the executive branch---has been doing exactly that. Taking it seriously and preparing for virtual war. They have a bunker now don't they? When Clinton is asked to give away some war secrets, such as "Would you prepare?", you get a flat denial.

The huge portion of the populace that expects the government to take care of them in return for their one measly vote is going to be headed straight to the source of their misery and this is what the government is preparing to go to war against. Their vote won't be needed anymore, hence, they won't be needed anymore.

Don't think this could possibly be true? Clinton has all the humanity of Stalin. The elitists for a long time now have been convinced that the population needs thinning. Every weapon or crazy idea developed sooner or later runs into the individual with the proper lack of conscience and the will to use it. And if we protest, we'll be told to go put some ice on it.

-- JIT (justintime@rightnow.net), November 26, 1999.



"Well, if I truly believed that it was going to be a TEOTWAWKI, I'd, er, um... I was going to say 'Declare martial law and use the troops to force people out of their offices and get them working on the land'."

Did you ever work for Pol Pot? You just recommended the Khymer Rouge solution.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), November 26, 1999.


Linda - Exactly.

-- Becky (rmbolte@wvadventures.net), November 26, 1999.

At first, I was frustrated with the lack of publicity y2k was getting in the press, I felt everyone needed to be concerned enough to take the necessary steps to prepare. Yet, as times gone by I'm tending to believe that the way our governments currently handling informing the general public might be the best way to handle things. Although the majority of those contributing to this site are well informed and feel that things will be worse than the government states, many in high, informed places feel it actually will only be a bump in the road. Should the public become concerned or worried about y2k due to governmental publicity of the subject, the economic impact of hoarding, stockpiling of cash, not to mention what might happen to our economy should nations around the world pick up on our fears that y2k will be potentially bad and over react in their own country, all of these things could easily cause more of a disaster that y2k could ever cause. Worse yet, what if public panic takes place and y2k truly is only a "bump in the road?" I can see the headlines now... 12/31/99, "Stockmarket takes major plunge on y2k fears". A week or so later..."y2k causes smaller than expected disruptions". If others are concerned about the lack of preps their friends and family are taking, do what I'm doing and stockpile extra and keep your doing so quiet. That way should y2k be bad, you can distribute this food to those in need quietly and not have everyone in your neighborhood beating down your door. Also, should y2k be a bump in the road, you will not be thought of as a wacko survivalist and you can either eat the food or give it to your local church.

-- Richard (rubeliever@webtv.net), November 26, 1999.

just amazes me. american's don't get it. even those who say they get it aren't very devoted. i have been feeding my sister articles for almost two years and she is very concerned. yet she has done almost nothing--i went to her house and saw her Y2K stash and it consisted of enough to get them by for three days at best.

its like there is no self discipline among the sheeple because that is what it takes to prepare for y2k--self discipline to research, do the preps, and keep them up regardless of what you read/hear. i was amazed to see people scurrying around to prepare for thanksgiving and christmas and these folks are totally doing nothing for Jan 1. they have no idea how bad it could be because they just want to have fun and be entertained and not think about bad things.

-- tt (cuddluppy@nowhere.com), November 26, 1999.


I wonder how many people who slam Clinton would have even listened if 2 or 3 years ago he declared 'war' on Y2k and urged Americans to prepare.

I can imagine that same people who call him a liar would have questioned his motives, too, and would be filling bulletin boards and chat rooms with the REAL reason he was making the announcement.

The man is not believed no matter what he does, so why do anything at all? He can always pass the buck if things go wrong.

-- Lara (nprbuff@hotmail.com), November 26, 1999.



Some references and resources that focus on many of the issues raised in this thread:

1) The video of the 11/23/99 George Washington University Panel on National and Global Y2K Initiatives that is now archived in the RealPlayer format. Click on WATCH for November 23:

http://www.c-span.org/watch/otherevents.htm

2) The White Paper on the Y2K and Embedded Systems Crisis at http://www.gwu.edu/~y2k/keypeople/gordon (Especially see Parts 3, 4, and 5). Part 3 calls for the establishment of a Special Action Office for Y2K, which would among other actions, preposition supplies throughout the country.

3) November Comments and Impact Scale rating (Click on "Comments, Essays, & Op-Ed Pieces" at the above website.)

Part 5 of my White Paper addresses scenarios that are possible between now and the rollover. These are compared with a scenario that is likely to unfold if the Federal government continues on it present course of action, based as it is in a limited definition of the scope and seriousness of the threats and challenges facing the nation and the world.

While the Administration has been basing its efforts in a very limited understanding of the nature and scope of the crisis, it has recently acknowledged that embedded systems pose a far greater challenge than previously acknowledged. An article released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce and a discussion of the article can be found at http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001qX4

The Administration has also failed to grasp interconnectivity and interdependency issues.

For these and other reasons, the Administration has failed to appreciate the seriousness of the situation that the nation and the world are in as a result of the Y2K and embedded systems crisis. There are many actions that could minimize anticipated impacts. These actions can still be taken before the rollover as well as after the rollover. Such actions could minimize impacts that can be expected throughout the next year or two. The C-SPAN video (which can also be obtained through C-SPAN) and the White Paper highlight these initiatives.

-- Paula Gordon (pgordon@erols.com), November 26, 1999.


The only interest those in government have is power. It doesn't make any difference to them if "their" country falls apart, as long as they can maintain power. The only thing they worry about is that their country might become so weak that it could be taken over by some other country, and they would lose their positions.

You will notice that even in all the "wog" countries of Africa (and the Mid-east, Asia, and South America) that even though the peons are eating dirt, the "leaders" still have their palaces, Mercedes-Benzs (or Rolls Royces or Lincoln Navigators ..), servants and fancy women. Sounds good to me :-)

-- A (A@AisA.com), November 26, 1999.


Lara wrote:

I wonder how many people who slam Clinton would have even listened if 2 or 3 years ago he declared 'war' on Y2k and urged Americans to prepare.

First of all, the fact that CLINTON DIDN'T makes your argument defeated from the start, in that he could have but chose NOT to. This is because Clinton is not that kind of man, i.e., honorable or of integrity. So your argument lies less than flat.

Secondly, I think Clinton chose not to inform, and in fact to brassly mislead, for a big reason. It's widely known he loves the spotlight, LOVES power... this could be his saviour-- to declare ML and discard the Constitution, remaining in "power".

Clinton is extremely dangerous, and as you pointed out, cannot be trusted an iota. Anything he says is based from an ulterior motive and should be considered sculpted as such. It is Klinton and his administration that have allowed this Y2K calamity to excell in its worst form (if it turns out to be, and regardless, the absence of sufficient warnings is inexcusable nonetheless).

Seek out the Lord, pray, consult, read your Bible, and make your own decisions and act on them.

-- concerned (ytoomuch@late.calm), November 26, 1999.


The government should have been telling people about the problem for the last 2 years - not Clinton, but reps from all exec. offices, plus Congress. In the last 8 months, they should have passed legislation requiring that every power plant, municipal water plant, nursing home, and hospital have on-site generators and fuel to power their operations for a minimum of six months. Instead, they are preparing to declare martial law and institute a U.N. Police State.

-- cora (cjohnson@seidata.com), November 26, 1999.

A panel of experts to set standards? That's what got us INTO this mess, when the government panel of experts said two digits was perfect because DOD didn't want to reprogram their stuff. And today the "experts" disagree heatedly over the BITR/EOTW choices. Appoint a panel of experts? The best experts you'll find, on how to cope with uncertainties, are right here every day.

I'll take Taz and Will Continue any day, even if my other choices weren't Koski and Jane Garvey.

Experts? Sheesh.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), November 26, 1999.



I'd play golf, by myself, in the rain, then leave the country.

-- Deemon Ulichevonovick (DoctorDee@stet.com), November 27, 1999.

It is not going to be what you expect... It is not THE 'event' you discuss. It is not yet the end of civilization you contemplate it to be. It is only the beginning.

Yes the lights will go out here and there. Yes the phones will be down here and there. It will not come so obviously as you seem to expect. It will come, "as a thief in the night".

Panic is without a doubt our worst enemy. Yes, I do believe the Y2K issue is extremely serious. I do not believe it is the MOST serious issue. I believe the most serious issue is how YOU decide to deal with it.

Oil is going to be the long term issue. Simply oil.

-m-

-- (...@.......), November 27, 1999.


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