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Rafleet's Thoughts on Y2k...
By Richard A. Fleetwood - May 2001
(This story was written before the ACTUAL Y2k events...still useful if you read all the way to the bottom.)
There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the Y2k conundrum is going to
fixate the entire population of the civilized world on one moment in time
at the end of this year, when the worlds time system starts changing from
1999 to 2000 in every computer and computer controlled device in existance.
Will it be a problem ANYWHERE? SOMEWHERE? EVERYWHERE? No one knows....at
least no one knows FOR SURE how, where, and how bad it will actually get
in any specific place in the world. My best bet? It will cause problems around
the globe, but not be the end of the world. It might be a gentle nudge here
or there, or it might be a burned down building from no fire alarm...or maybe
people WILL panic for no other reason than that the mob rule effect took
hold when the lights went out in downtown where ever. Below, I list some
areas that everyone should take into consideration for the coming holiday
season. Pay heed to it...act on it where you can...and know there are many
truths buried in it.
Regarding Y2k specifically, here are my thoughts....
a) there ARE going to be some problems with many computers, computer controlled
mechanical devices, and anything that has an embedded chip that has non-compliant
date programming (whether its on a telephone, a delivery truck or a
communications satellite. This is a FACT.
b) there are going to be people who WILL panic, driven by "the" media machine
(print, radio, tv, cable, whatever) that thrives on "giving" to the audience
the "(b)leeding" edge of the most emotional, gut wrenching, stuff they can
find, and y2k is an easy target to focus on.
c) MANY mainstream, mostly right leaning, talk shows have taken the y2k guantlet
and are using it to either (1)make money, (2)build audience share, (3)prove
the opposition wrong or (4)prove themselves right. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY,
knows just how BAD or how LITTLE the y2k bug "event" is going to be. This
means that ANYBODY might be correct, or everybody might be wrong.
d) being prepared for NORMAL events (storms, unemployment, unplanned emergency
guests, huge civilian accidents [aircraft, chemical spills, trucking accidents],
technogical blunders like y2k, or just smaller paychecks than expected) means
a person has to have the same basic preparedness needs, which can be listed
on the fingers of one hand, and are ALL just good, common, sense.
1. Some kind of FOOD storage (even FEMA recommends at least a couple weeks
on hand)
2. Extra WATER storage, either portable or standing, or a good filter, as
in those used for camping or backpacking. Humans can live a month without
food, but only a few days without water.
3. Shelter...any kind. A home, a vehicle, a tent, a culvert...anything to
stay out of the weather and increase comfort WHEN NEEDED.
4. MONEY. Everyone needs some on hand, especially for emergencies. At least
a few days worth.
5. INFORMATION....some way to know "whats going on". A pocket radio, a tv,
a shortwave radio....anything to give anyone human contact no matter where
they are, and a way to know what to do, where to go, and who or what to expect
in hard times or good.
e) People, of any city, nation, or continent, NEED to know what is going
on and what they can REALLY expect from all different perspectives, when
it comes to a planet shaking event, as y2k just might grow to.
My family is prepared. Some of my extended family is as well, while several
think it's NOT worth doing any prepping for. Some of my friends are preparing
in areas THEY feel need attention. And LOTS of people all over the world
have let ME personally know THEY are preparing....including those in high
places, with much long term vision available to them.
I AM listening to all, and paying attention to those that KNOW more in areas
that I don't. You and any loved ones around you should truly take this event
under serious scrutiny...pray on it, fast on it, think long and hard on ALL
aspects of what may be at stake.
If NOTHING happens from y2k...power stays on, groceries don't dry up, there
AREN'T maurauding bands of spikey haired, glowing-in-the-dark, screaming
meemie ninja mutants raiding house by house for precious treasures....then
GREAT. What you MIGHT have set aside will ALWAYS be useful, will last for
months, and can be shared if need be with those LESS fortunate around you.
If you bought it...you WILL use it at sometime, and it will be cheaper when
you DO use it, than if you went out and bought it the day you needed it.
Consider your supplies gathered now as LONG TERM survival insurance.
Now....what if something DOES happen? The power goes away for weeks...the
gasoline tankers get blown up or commandeered by loose cannon national guard
guys, the United Nations Blue Helmets come marching into your town to drag
you away to "re-education" camps to help you during CRISIS RELOCATION exercises?
You DIDN'T take time to get ANY supplies. Your friends WON'T share any
supplies/food/water/whatever with you. What then?
You choose....and choose now. Like the bad guy in "Indiana Jones and the
Last Crusade" did...choose poorly and suffer the consequences. Choose wisely,
like Indie did, and you'll get thru ANYTHING, AND be able to help and assist
others that may need it.
Its up to you.
Updated May 2001 - © 2001 By Richard A. Fleetwood |
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