I think that all emergency workers should be outraged at the deliberate cover-up being conducted by the govt regarding y2k preparedness. They will be the ones who will have to face an angry public that has been lied to being told that y2k will be no big problem. It is unfair to put such a terrible burden on these hard working men and women who do such an outstanding job day in and day out saving lives. Our govt is making these guys the fall guys if y2k tanks our society. They know y2k has the potential for big trouble they just need to admit it and stop the dishonesty and move foward with preparing our nation as best as it can this remaining week. We need our nation to pull together not be mad at each other. y2k will require all people and all nations to work together to get thru it. Time to start is now. My advice is that if the police dept and emergency workers of every major city threaten to go on strike until the Gov come clean on y2k this cover up will end and diligent full scale preparation can begin for the time that remains.

It will serve to remove blame game and focus on the Houston we have a problem we need to solve we have serious business we need to attend to.

Y2K CONTINGENCY, MOBILIZATION AND ADVANCED PREPAREDNESS NEEDS TO BE OUR NATION'S # 1 PRIORITY UNTIL WE ARE SAFELY PAST THE ROLLOVER DATE.

We need a walter cronkite a winston churchill,and a jack kenndy type of speaker who can deliver the we need to work together to prepare speech here is the plan.

-- y2k aware mike (y2k aware mike @ conservation . com), December 21, 1999

Answers

Sorry Mike, IT'TS TOO LATE

If God himself came down in a cloud of fire and shouted "PREPARE" it would still be too late.

For example count the time between Pearl Harbor day and the invasion of Guadalcanal or the time from JFK's speech until the Moon landing.

The best we can do is prepare for ourselves, our families, and if we can afford it, a few worthy strangers.

If Y2K turns out to be a terrible mess, I envision Joe SixPack backing a cement truck up to the door of some Powers That Be's bunker and unloading 5 cubic yards of wet concret onto their doors.

The slicksters and spin-merchants who run the world will not escape justice if this goes to a 7 or higher. 1=BITR(nothing), 10=TEOTWAWKI (end of our world)

-- woody (woody11420@aol.com), December 21, 1999.

You are most likely right, I just hate to see the emergency workers who will be on the front lines take the blame for this mess they dont deserve it. Even though its too late to effectively prepare our nation there is still time to direct people's energy in these last few days to work as a team to do somethings. This mentality is more beifical then us or them. Like the handicap kids at the special games banding to gether to help each other cross the finish line. We all have parents, kids, families and friends we care about. If we all work together we have a better chance to make it thru if this thing gets really nasty. We need to get it in gear now.

-- y2k aware mike (y2k aware mike @ conservation . com), December 21, 1999.

Think about the problem the dodos are faced with that descend into their nuclear bomb proof bunkers to shield from a possible bomb blast, or to shield from the angry mob of sleepers who are suddenly awakened from their deep sleep of apathy towards the Y2K problem. These elite of society must make a very hard decision. They will be given a quota of the amount of bodies they can bring with them. They must decide if they love wife and children more than parents and grandparents, they must refuse the inlaws, friends and other relatives. Then when they ascend from their holes in the ground, they will have to face the rest of their miserable lives with the knowledge that the cosigned many to death, or even worse, living. Worse still, if this turns out to be a "non-event," as our all knowing government says it will be. These cowards will have to face everlasting contempt and hate from those they chose to leave behind.

-- Notforlong (Fsur439@aol.com), December 21, 1999.

I agree with Woody. It is too late. I "got it" in late 98. In early 99 I tried to inform friends and neighbors. I read a post, I think it was Gary North, "They won't prepare, but the will remember." Since no one showed any enthusiasm for preparing, I stopped talking. Since Y2K arrives in the Far East several hours before it hits my place, I will watch the news. Depending on what I see from Japan, the Holy Land, and Russia, I may make some phone calls to certain people to go to a certain place.

I think I saw a post that says the Red Cross has 40 volunteers for every official worker. If the volunteers are all home with their families, who is going to staff the shelters? It is easy to be a cop, fire fighter, medic if you think your home will be OK while you are working. This time will be different. Would our public servants go to work if they thought their own home would be invaded, burn down, or their wife would have a baby while they were away?

-- That's all folks (end times@stop.end), December 21, 1999.

If they would at least say: "Look, it might go bad...be prepared." Then; at least, there would be less of a shock...less panic and more ready to work to keep things together...all there will be at this point is sheer terror. My grandmother is in another stae and in a nursinghome bedridden. I know of others in similar situations who won't be ready and I have no way of helping. If TSHTF...I'll be more than happy to shovel the cement in on thos motherf'ers...anyone volunteer to drive?

-- Satanta (EventHoriz@n.com), December 21, 1999.

We can't (morally) go on strike. And we're very used to dealing with the consequences of human stupidity. Thank you for your kind words.

-- emerdoc (same_ol'@same_ol'.com), December 21, 1999.

"We can't (morally) go on strike. And we're very used to dealing with the consequences of human stupidity. Thank you for your kind words. -- emerdoc"

__________________________

thanks, emerdoc....i think you said that very well ('cept maybe the sarcastic "thank you" part, but i get your point)

medical personnel are VERY used to dealing with human stupidity....... heck, that's the biggest reason they have a job!

but no matter how stupid us masses can be, i think you'll find that it won't extend to "killing the goose that lays the golden egg" when it comes to medical care

i've seen and heard of people in desperate situations "killing the goose" when it comes to filling their bellies.........grabbing food and even injuring those attempting to pass it out..............but i've NEVER heard of people in panic doing anything less than "standing back" when it comes to an individual who can help them (or anyone else who needs it) medically

in other words........if you were so inclined, you could shoot the person handing out bread and still get the bread............but how do you hold a gun to the medic's head and get him/her to do what you want? (if you knew what needed to be done, you wouldn't need their knowledge)

i think that having such knowledge will get them even more respect in a big emergency situation than it does now

i applaud all those who have taken the time to learn such skills, and pray that we are deserving of their attention.........when their own worlds might be crumbling down around them at the same time

thank you, emerdoc...........and those you represent

-- mebs (andrea@mebs.lurking), December 21, 1999.

I had occassion to call my local OES person yesterday. The county recently designated shelter locations in several communities in case of problems due to Y2K. We had never even had shelters designated before. I called to check on final plans because I work with disabled adults. While we are getting them ready to "shelter in place", we wanted to know what backup plans are available if TSHTF. I asked the OES person if the shelters are supplied with food, water, cots, blankets etc. He was incredulous at my question... "Oh no, no, no...we don't have room to store that stuff. If there is any problem we just call the Red Cross same as we've always done." There is no Red Cross locally... he means calling the regional representative... out of area.

Clueless.

Sigh.

Have you considered the possibility that the reason the emergency workers are not protesting the coverup is because they are DGIs?

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), December 21, 1999.

I had occassion to call my local OES person yesterday. The county recently designated shelter locations in several communities in case of problems due to Y2K. We had never even had shelters designated before. I called to check on final plans because I work with disabled adults. While we are getting them ready to "shelter in place", we wanted to know what backup plans are available if TSHTF. I asked the OES person if the shelters are supplied with food, water, cots, blankets etc. He was incredulous at my question... "Oh no, no,...we don't have room to store that stuff. If there is any problem we just call the Red Cross same as we've always done." There is no Red Cross locally... he means calling the regional representative... out of area.

Clueless.

Sigh.

Have you considered the possibility that the reason the emergency workers are not protesting the coverup is because they are DGIs?

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), December 21, 1999.

Linda, good post. What country or state are you in?

If TSHTF then civilian police/rescue have already said they will be home protecting their families. The national guard (NG) on the other hand is invited to house their families on base so that they CAN work.

Anyone smell a set-up here? The gov "knows" concern for family will cause guys to walk off the job. The gov through the negligence of omission is creating a scenario where civilians walk off and NG under fed command are ready willing and able to take over the show.

If you have any other explanation for the blatant incongruity between how the feds are treating our first verses second string here, then please enlighten me; I could use the pick-me-up!

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 21, 1999.

Hokie.. I'm in CA... in the Sierras. Back in Jan. '98 ALL the communities around here were isolated from the outside world for 3 days when the floods wiped out damn near all the roads. Within 3 days the road crews had managed to get one lane barely fixed enough to let a few trucks in with food. So we have had a "dress run". We have seen the store shelves empty. People then WERE flooded out of homes and there was no shelter, no Red Cross supplies. Neighbors pitched in of course. There were only a few people who needed shelter. And people could be life-flighted out if needed.. or emergency supplies helicoptered in. But that the OES person thinks that this will be just like all the other "winter storms".... unbelievable.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), December 21, 1999.

I wasn't being sarcastic. Thanks. Get your necessary medications NOW. z

-- emerdoc (no@honest.com), December 21, 1999.

Sorry Mike, but we already live with violence, abuse and death threats on an almost daily basis at the ER I work in. Thats under "Normal" times. Yea, its gonna be an interesting ride, if the drugs and alcohol pipelines suffer interruption. I love my job, its more then just a paycheck to me, but if it gets too crazy, I wont be there. The normal risk is bad enough, Ive gotten used it, but Im prepared to do a new threat assessment if the rules change-and walk if necessary. Ive got kids to take care of.

-- LauraA (laadedah@aol.com), December 21, 1999.

Not sure on proper response....

I'm a police lieutenant in NJ with 18 years on, (also an EMT) & the only "GI" in agency besides the computer guy (who just laughs with that "we're toast look" every time I bring up Y2K.)

I've been spreading doom & gloom (as I've been told) for the past year, it started when I first had to do reasearch last year on Y2K, the first article I read was by Capers Jones (Y2K Planning for local governments) and became a "GI" right away. I have personally handed over a 1000 pages of data up the chain of command as well as begged, pleaded, cried, etc to my PTB. Only 2 others in my town government agreed (head of DPW and OEM coodinator.)

I have given speeches (don't scare anyone!!!!) written about it (that's no good, you'll scare someone!!!!) and done everything humanly possible, both where I work and live (handed out Y2K info to 30 neighbors in area...."oh thanks anyway, but we don't own a computer, it wont affect us...") I have also been told, in not so subtle terms, that no one (TPTB) wants to hear what I have to say, and that I had made my point and to drop it. I have. (Of course I have over 200 memos and email messages on hardcopy in case some "maroon" wants to point fingers later.)

So be it.

I never predicted TEOTWAWKI. I still don't know what if anything will happen, but I prepped, and made sure family prepped, and told anyone who wanted to hear, how I *as the private citizen* prepped.

To answer your orginal post, the reason no Emergency service workers (Police / Fire / EMS) come forward) is that they are DGI's. We have been fed the same BITR crap from day ONE (we are NOT HIDING stuff from the public.) We just beleive the spin. Most of us, at least.

-- NameChanged2ProtectTheGuilty (HisDishonor@the mayor.net), December 21, 1999.

Luara A the rules are changing as we speak, Us just stop a critical loan package for much needed oil supplies for Russia. It is winter there. This is not cool, the administraion should have picked another way to protest. This could be trouble. Watch out for your family first. God bless and keep your guard up. Bio war may be the way they strike a lot of people are now down with severe flu symptoms, have doctors investigate causes of flu and type, deeper please, I hope it's just the flu.

-- y2k aware mike (y2k aware mike @ conservation . com), December 21, 1999.

NameChanged,

Just curious, for how many days or weeks might a typical PD or FD be prepared? EG how many days of emergency generator fuel do they have? auto fuel? etc.

BTW my local town council was scheduled to receive a public report detailing such issues in March. It was postponed several times. I made a local name for myself bringing that up (several times) ... and now, of course, I've taken my own worst case guess, thanks to my town "leadership", and prepared accordingly.

-- Zygote (zygote1@zygote1.zygote1), December 22, 1999.

Zygote,

Good question. I don't know. Our Emergency Management Guy is a big "GI", but w/o any support. Our shelters fully loaded with people wouldn't hold 10% of the population. He DID manage to get new generators and a diesal truck ON SITE, but no food/ water. TPTB wouldn't even let him but MRE's @ $6/CASE (yes , not a typo) for the shelters because "Y2K isn't a problem, we said so." And NO, we couldn't but them for ourselves (as in personal) because of gov regs.

-- NameChanged2ProtectThe Guilty (HisDishonor@theMayor.net), December 22, 1999.