Were you one of the folks who wished for the collapse of society? Evidently this person thinks the majority of people who posted here wanted mass death and destruction:

"Markus, I'm sure you have the best motives in mind. But you're dealing in the "micro". The "macro" folks here did NOT have the best interests of the general public in mind.

It'll all come out before too long. Some sinister forces were at work, pushing Y2k Fear. Criminal indictments will result, I have no doubt.

Of course many will loudly protest that estimation. Rats get upset when the basement light is turned on.

-- Chicken Little (panic@forthebirds.net), February 26, 2000."

Kinda sounds like the approached used by Hitler to smear the Jews. Guess what folks? The great majority of you are sinister, evil people who wanted your neighbors dead. It's funny. I only know of a handfull of folks like that on this board. Evidently this simpleton takes an approach like many racists do by painting all persons of a group with the same brush.

Now who's the evil person here? The majority of TB 2000 posters or someone who uses Hitlerian tactics to smear those who do not fit the profile of the lunatic fringe?

-- X (X@X.com), February 26, 2000

Answers

That is beyond dispute. My point is that they don't represent the majority of us.

-- X (X@X.com), February 26, 2000.

I don't think the criminal stuff is the main point, xyx. The 'macro' is what stands out. As if the 'macro' of people here were anarchists wishing for mass chaos. That is flat-out untrue. The generalization is the smear.

-- X (X@X.com), February 26, 2000.

Gotta agree with you on that one. That's why I call them the 'lunatic fringe'. Anyone who wants mass death is obviously a nutcase wacko, regardless of the side they're on. Someone who has that attitude is a Timothy McVeigh wannabe.

-- X (X@X.com), February 26, 2000.

X & x,

To a point I would agree with both of you. I certainly dont believe that the majority of forum posters were wishing for or predicting Armageddon. Unfortunately, the lunatics were the most outspoken and their ugly words and disturbed viewpoints tended to stick out and remain in the memory banks.

When CL speaks of potential Y2K criminal charges being levied at the fear-mongers I hope they go after the worst of all, Michael Hyatt. This scum is still at it and is a disgrace to all good Christians and the human race in general. Gary North is running a close second.

-- Ra (tion@l.1), February 26, 2000.

"This scum is still at it and is a disgrace to all good Christians and the human race in general. Gary North is running a close second."

Well then thank God we have those like yourself to counterbalance those types with your example of proper Christian conduct. I've never been able to stomach Gary North's writings for the most part because of his contemptuous attitude toward opposing viewpoints, but I don't recall him ever referring to a proponent of an opposing viewpoint as "scum."

-- Markus Archus (apxov@mail.com), February 26, 2000.

Don't fret Markus, we all know who the real scum is around here.

-- Hawk (flyin@high.again), February 26, 2000.

XY:

I honestly don't know. My gut feeling is no. But there are a few around here who are on the fringe who get an inordinate amount of attention. They do not speak for most of us. I don't like being lumped in with them, as people like Chicken Little and Y2k Pro seem to so easily do. I am ecstatic that the doomsayers' predictions were vastly exaggerated. I don't cherish the thought of our country turning into a Kosovo for any reason, Y2k or something else. It seems that all of this name-calling and vilification from both sides has to stop. Chicken Little and the Y2k Pros of this world are a part of the problem, not the solution. Just like the A's of the world. A is loony tunes, IMHO.

Peace

-- X (X@X.com), February 26, 2000.

My take is that the typical poster here *started* from the conclusion that we were sure to face some pretty damn big problems. Since such problems were going to happen, naturally the only credible information out there was that which supported this conclusion. And since ALL credible information therefore indicated disaster, the original conclusion was correct, QED!

I think the occasional post wishing evil to befall the nonbeliever was more a matter of style in the heat of Holy Battle. After all, the self-evident truth of the above circular reasoning is so blindingly obvious that no thinking person could possibly miss it. Nobody could be that stupid, and therefore they must be evil and deserve what's coming to them for not preparing.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), February 26, 2000.

So the debate goes on!

Someone said where 50 people are gathered together, at least 1 will possible be celebrating their birthday. How high are the odds, when multiple personalities gather at a forum such as this, someone will arrive from the lunatic fringe? Go figure, but to lump all intellectual discourse in the arena of fanaticism when faced with uncertain odds such as those offered by y2k is but an attempt to demean others who may differ with your viewpoint.

It has become very noticable, some posters who checked out of this forum several weeks ago, are now returning to say "I told you so". My respect for their intellectual "Pollyism" is reaching a low ebb.

-- Tommy Rogers (Been there@Just a Thought.com), February 26, 2000.

Tommy:

And some are returning to ponder just how we managed to miss the boat quite so badly, and what we might do so as to come closer with respect to other complex issues in the future. Even those who Told Us So might try to show us HOW they figured out what they did. I don't see any utility in gloating, but the more nearly correct someone's analysis, the more they've earned the right to instruct. Can we listen?

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), February 26, 2000.

Hot damn, is that you Flint? What's happenin' dude??? <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 26, 2000.

Flint, I'm with you. It does no good to listen to someone claiming they got it right a long time ago if that right conclusion was arrived at by analysis worthy of an Oiuja ("Weejee") board.

-- Peter Errington (petere@ricochet.net), February 26, 2000.

Flint,

I am amazed how smoothly the rollover has become, and delighted with the outcome. This does not diminish the fact this is the Year 2000, and it has only begun to display its' true face. Maybe not y2k, yet the crisis facing our Nation is growing everyday. For that reason I return here to LISTEN, as you say.

We missed the BOAT(your words)because those in authority within our gov't painted a dark picture for the world to see. Remember: Bennett, Horn, Dodd, IEEE, CIA, World Bank reports, CIO for Italy, Gartner, and the list goes on. I submit every one of these failed to allay our fears because they would not set before the public IT examples of what had been done to correct the problem. The prospect of litigation drowned out facts that could have put our fears to rest. Is it any wonder we rejected the Roses offered by Kosky? The conflicting evidence stunk to high heaven.

Now if we are to hold an inquisition, let's begin by calling upon expert witnesses. Subpoena those listed above who having insider information, delivered to those posting on this forum the AMMO to question the validity of their assessments. Their own testimony would express amazement the transition rolled over beyond their highest IT expectation.

I disagree with your statement "..the more nearly correct someone's analysis, the more they've earned the right to instruct". If this statement were true, every polly would try his hand at "instructing" Instruction begins with a factual truth, not gloating, finger pointing, name calling, all of which is an act of self-righteousness. I must admit upon your return, I read with disappointment your response to a post which I took as "gloating". Forgive me if I was wrong. I thought it was very much out of character for you. I once said you were "like the pendulum on my clock". I needed that counterweight. For that, I'm thankful.

I was wrong in my analysis of y2k. But I didn't miss the boat. Matter of fact, I will not return to the point of JIT needs. The transistion in my families lifestyle has not only been amazing, but a blessing.

Case Dismissed! We must do the same. Spring is coming and all is not well. I'll be here listening.

Tommy

-- Tommy Rogers (Been there@Just a Thought.com), February 26, 2000.