I guess I need a reminder as to why I am here. I feel like nothing will ever happen. Other than the NE, there are no shortages of anything that I can see. Sure, gas is going up but it's still affordable. Maybe there is a little price manipulation going on? There has been no dramatic increase in price for food or anything else. Plenty of cash for everyone. I just get so frustrated when I walk or drive around and everything is the SAME as it always is. People spending too much money on stuff, buying the most expensive house they qualify for, filling it with brand new furniture, driving new cars.

This is not class envy, folks. I know how quickly it can all tank(whether Y2K or other). For the life of me I see nothing on the horizon to stop it. Every day someone guarantees the "market" will tank, the next day it is up again. If TPTB are manipulating it now, why not forever?

I feel like as long as the vast majority of people can live as they please, none of the scenarios will come about. Why does Klinton have to declare martial law? As long as the stores are full and our credit cards work, he can do anything he pleases, "we" don't care.

I've read about the planes dropping, that one will take some explaining. But all the leaks and water problems, maybe we are too sensitive about this. We really haven't even had a BITR here in my part of Texas. Maybe it will hit us this summer? Who knows, and nobody out there really cares.

It's all so FRUSTRATING. Maybe it's the malaise from the chemtrails striking me?;) I thought people writing a post like this on Jan. 1 were jumping the gun. I kept expecting something more earth shattering was coming around the corner. When? Feb. 29? Next year? Ten years? It gives me a headache, just thinking about it.

Sorry to be so long, thanks for the rant.

-- Just Curious (jnmpow@flash.net), February 10, 2000

Answers

6:2 What. except that the smart money is on crazy.

-- Can't resist (earthgirls@re.easy), February 10, 2000.

No - you're not crazy. You're just sick and tired of all the greedy, hedonistic, lying, scumbags who are sucking the lifeblood out of all the poor people of the world and out of the environment we all share. That's all.

Keep the faith - their demise is close.

-- Henry Howfambofergilfer (howfambofergilfer@hotmail.com), February 10, 2000.

>If TPTB are manipulating it now, why not forever?

Nothing is forever. I share your unease, but I look at it as remaining at "condition yellow" for the rest of this year at least. What has made it easier for me is to quit watching for specific events and just concentrate on keeping my stores rotated.

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), February 10, 2000.

TROLL!!!

Things are very bad NOW, and they are going to get worse REAL SOON as the market crashes, the buffers fill up, 2/29 rolls over, chemtrails sicken or kill us all, oil skyrockets, and planes continue to plummet from the sky.

DON'T BE FOOLED!! The government is killing those who are trying to inform the public of these TRUTHS!! Get back to your bunker, Mr Just Curious--that's what killed the cat, and it may kill you!!

-- ImSo (lame@prepped.com), February 10, 2000.

Well, I figure I lost 40K (money I could have made) by not having my money in the stock market. Makes you feel like shit. I heeded to the warnings and got burned.

I am a programmer, so I understood the warnings, something terrible could have happened, but it didn't. Somehow most programmers got the job done. I can't figure it out (especially on the legacy systems), but it seems like a miracle to me.

The problem now is that for the most part, there was no wake up call. The message is that "Nothing can go wrong." I think we're locked into this mindframe.

-- Larry (cobol.programmer@usa.net), February 10, 2000.

>> If TPTB are manipulating it now, why not forever? <<

All that TPTB can do is take advantage of existing conditions to drive the markets in directions pretty near to wherever it is they already want to go.

Think of cowboys driving cattle. So long as the herd is content going where the cowboys aim them, they go. If the herd balks, changes direction, or stampedes, there is a limit to what the cowboys can do (except pretend they wanted the herd to go there anyway).

-- Brian McLaughlin (brianm@ims.com), February 10, 2000.

Hey Curious,

I KINDA know what you mean...geez, a little 3-day nationwide power outage wouldn't have done too much damage, and would have saved alot of reputations.

BUT, I am sure glad we're not sitting here at a 9 or 10. My ego is not wrapped up in whether I was "right" or "wrong." I think all of us preppers were PRUDENT, and the pollies were foolish - they just lucked out this time.

Nothing is forever. Everything has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Beginnings and endings are usually short, and the "middle" can be long. Where we are in the bell curve is the only question. The stock market WILL go down, crises WILL occur. We just don't know when.

Hang in there.

-- No Polly (NOPOLLY@HOTMAIL.COM), February 10, 2000.

I hope the economy remains solid. However, prudence dictates that we run on reality, not the hype. A "new paradigm" in the markets? I cannot believe something so silly. Everyone thinks "this time it's different," but why should it be?

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), February 10, 2000.

Dear Just curious..... When "it" happens, it may happen quickly. Solar flares, bombs,terrorism, who knows what, but God's judgement on America is sure. He is patient and longsuffering, but a country that has worshipped the economy and put it ahead of justice and morality is sure to have its idol toppled. We may have a depression that makes the 30's and the dustbowl look like easy street in comparison. The old fashioned help your neighbor attitude, and self control, has been replaced with selfisness, greed, and violent anger quick to erupt. The social climate will probably be much worse. I know A LOT of people, us included, who feel strongly led to hang onto preps that'll only last a couple years at most ( not that survival stuff). We are either not hearing from God, or"it" will happen in the next year or so is my guess. I've struggled with your impatience; go read Habbakuk, Ezekiel, jeremiah. Things can happen in a flash, and they surely will....this country has hit the pits. Enjoy these last golden hours and make the best use of them you can instead of getting frustrated. Thanks for the post.

-- also (waiting@for.the.crunch), February 10, 2000.

also--

Will it be raining on the just, or only the unjust?

Were the people on 261 all naughty?

-- ImSo (lame@prepped.com), February 10, 2000.

Just, I pretty much agree and feel the same way.

Brian M., Excellent analogy. The stampede...never heard it put that way.

-- Kyle (midtnbuddy@juno.com), February 10, 2000.

One thing is for sure, keep earning money while you`re still employed. Use that $$ to invest wisely (i.e. S&P "LEAP" put options, gold & silver, or perhaps short certain stocks like airlines) and continue purchasing additional preps. The longist bull market in history is gradually coming to a close. We are unknowingly entering the final chapter. May God be with all of us who care.

-- NoJo (RSKeiper@aol.com), February 10, 2000.