The word is finally out in the mainstream. Look out for Y2K. It is ferociously advancing and there is no escaping it. If we live on planet Earth, we will be affected in some manner. The problem is that we don’t know how serious it will be until the actual time when the clock rolls around to the year 2000.

We are now hearing many fearful words about Y2K from the mainstream and not-so-mainstream media.

In this article we are first going to look at some of the bad or negative aspects relating to this issue. Then we’ll look at the ugly problems that may manifest during this crisis time. And finally we will finish with the good that can potentially manifest due to the Y2K crisis.

We are a technology-based world. No two ways around it. We rely on technology for our everyday living. Even if we have never personally touched a computer in our lives, we are all affected in some way, because whether we understand it or not computers run our lives. Just about everything is computer generated or controlled in one way or another. The world is virtually one big interconnected computer, and we are all tied into it.

We worship technology. Technology has become the mainframe of our existence. Every facet of our lifestyles are dependent upon this technology. We have the best and the worst of life because of our technological discoveries. What we must ask ourselves is: "How is this technology being used? For the good of society? For domination and control? For power? What is the ulterior motive behind the product or service? Is there a covert purpose that is not being disclosed?"

Each part of our lives is in some way monitored, controlled, and run by computers. Each transaction we make, whether it is picking up the phone, sending or receiving mail, buying gasoline and groceries, paying our bills, is all tracked by computers. And those government and watchdog agencies that are hooked into the mainframes can easily study our behavior and every part of our lives.

We are no longer a cash society. Most of us use credit cards and debit cards exclusively. And thus, all our transactions can be monitored. There are databases that are specificially devoted to keeping track of our spending activities.

We are an interconnected global network. We depend not only upon our own resources but the resources of foreign countries as well to keep our products flowing off the assembly lines and into our homes. And thus our vulnerability in all aspects of our life.

Once a problem is experienced in one link of the network, the entire global network is affected. This domino effect will be rampant within all areas of production — one missed operation will cause a whole chain of problems. Multiple failures will ensure around the world, not just in one small community. And then how will we cope with the massive emergency situations? Y2K doesn’t insulate anyone from the effects of this broken chain of services and products. We are all interconnected and will be impacted in some manner.

Our entire society is one big interdependency. And here is where the problem arises. None of us are isolated and free from this bug. Even the farmer who grows his own food relies upon the feed stores to provide food for his animals and seeds for his new crops. He depends upon gasoline to run his farm equipment and supplies to keep his farm operating. Without these supplies his farm shuts down.

The banking system is extremely vulnerable to any break in the chain. A panic situation can easily cause a run on the banks. The Federal Reserve System sees the potential problem and is currently printing $50 billion to keep the banks from running out of cash. Yet, the additional cash doesn’t even begin to cover the amount of cash deposited in banks. Bank merges will continue to occur when small banks are unable to become Y2K complaint. It will be merge with the big guy or go bankrupt.

The stock market is one of the most susceptible areas that will be extremely impacted by the Y2K panic. The public’s lack of confidence can topple the sensitive institution in the blink of an eye.

Credit has allowed families to get into heavy debt. This position is a no-win one. Everyone loses. And we all will feel the effects of this situation.

President Clinton in his State of the Union speech tells us that Y2K is a "big, big problem". While others say that Y2K "is no big deal" the President has actually come out of the closet on this issue to present it before the public. He continues to say "… we need every state and local government, every business, large and small, to work with us to make sure that this Y2K computer bug will be remembered as the last headache of the 20^th century, not the first crisis of the 21^st."

In this miniscule way Clinton is starting to address the issue before the public’s eye. Yet, he doesn’t begin to attempt to explain the many issues related to correcting the bug before it escalates into a crisis situation. It’s a start, but a meager one at most.

Many federal agencies are rated in the "D" or "F" range according to Republican Stephen Horn’s grading scale. Those falling into this category are the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation. If the government can’t get their "act together" how are they going to be the leaders in correcting the Y2K problem in the business sector?

Here are a few questions to think about as we wonder why the government hasn’t been up front with us on this Y2K issue:

• Why has the government been stockpiling supplies?
• Why haven’t they told us that it would be wise to stockpile supplies for our families?
• Why is the National Guard on the ready and plans in place to pay their January 2000 salaries a month early in December 1999?
• Why are the government and major corporations silent about the missed compliant deadlines?
• What happened to Social Security announcing their 100% compliance by their stated deadline of December 31, 1998?
• Why has no industry come forward and excitedly announced that they are 100% Y2K compliant, even though some companies have been working on this project for years and have spent millions of dollars on this problem?

Another aspect of our technology-based world is the decay of our morals. What happened to the basic moral fiber of our innermost being? Where has all this technology led us? Moral decay has been causing disastrous results throughout the family and the larger society.

We place heavy reliance and dependence upon our government. Yet, we should all be self-sufficient to the best of our ability. Those who are unable to do so must be helped by their neighbors. Rarely do we think about others less fortunate. We need to begin looking beyond our noses towards what is going on around us. How can we approach our neighbors with our concerns and work towards a solution for the whole neighborhood? When we have our stockpile of food and water around us and our neighbors are going hungry what will we do? Turn our back to their needs?

We have grown into technology giants with big brains and little hearts. Money pulls us one way, which is towards fulfilling our selfish interests with little regards for others. Money and toys continue to pile up while people continue to suffer in degradation and lack of the bare necessities of life. Is this justice? Why do we continue to allow suffering to persist when we can help correct it by our generous heart and financial assistance?

As I write this article in mid-January ’99, the Y2K deadline is fast approaching. The December 31, 1998 date for meeting the Y2K compliance was missed and not one single industry came forward to enthusiastically inform us that they are Y2K compliant. A single non-compliant company can wreck havoc with an entire industry. Every industry is now behind schedule. This is a fair indicator that there will be major problems on the horizon as we get closer and closer to the deadline that we can’t change.

Medicare was predicted to be compliant by December 31, 1998 in order to have a year to correct any potential problems. That date came and went without any comment. And we haven’t heard any more news since. What happened?

From the government we hear words like "everything is on schedule", but not the words we should be hearing, such as "We are 100% compliant". Banks have been distributing pamphlets to their customers totting the words "Y2 Okay" and "Y2 Ready". But those aren’t the words we are looking to hear. They are either 100% Y2K compliant or not. Public relations firms are working hard trying to appease their clients’ customers and smooth over the potential problems.

Today sitting at the computer putting together the ideas for this article, my computer news highlights a speech that President Clinton gave to the National Academy of Sciences this week. In his speech Clinton warns us of terrorists using chemical and biological weapons as well as "cyber terrorism" which could bring computer networks throughout the nation to a standstill. With this potential threat looming over us, Clinton asks Congress for $2.8 billion to guard against terrorist attacks. This is in addition to Clinton’s $7.2 billion request for conventional counter-terrorism security programs.

The potential for biological, chemical, and terrorist attacks will be the greatest at the time immediately following the turnover to the year 2000. With the excitement, drama, and disruption that will be following, there is a great risk to the citizens of the country.

As an outcome of these potential terrorist threats new more stringent laws are being passed every day. In the name of safety of the people we will end up with a military leadership with individual rights nullified. In the government’s call to protect us, they are taking away our freedoms.

In the name of "cyber terrorism" a vast array of computer technology is being prepared to monitor our words and actions. Sounds like "Big Brother" has officially arrived before the year 2000.

How ugly can this get? Pretty ugly! And when the computer chips are down, chaos will entail throughout every phase of our lives. Every area will experience some form of disruption. And in this chaos those individuals that are unable to get what they want, or need, will go hunting. There is great potential for rioting, pillaging, and disaster throughout our communities. What about those addictions that can’t be satisfied? Then what? How will people cope not being able to satisfy their various additions?

In our failure to properly prepare for the upcoming crises, the majority will panic. There are not enough supplies on our supermarket shelves to keep each neighborhood feed for longer than three days. With not enough food and water to go around, chaos will surely follow. Panic situations will be the norm. The National Guard will be called in to control us. Martial Law will go into effect, and then all sense of freedom will be lost, without hope of return.

The National Guard is already preparing for the Y2K disruption. The COMEX/MOBEX operation is planned in May as a test to see if the National Guard can be mobilized without telephones. The Guard is planning on civil unrest that could be prevented if the public was realistically told in advance of the problems. Public reaction to the failure of multiple institutions that we take for granted will be the seeds of panic.

Now let’s take a look at some of the good that is coming about from this Y2K problem.

People are starting to question their lives. If they have taken a break from spiritual and religious beliefs, they are beginning to return to their spiritual heritage. They are looking to a higher source (by whatever name we call it —God, our Creator, Spirit, Christ, Mohamed, etc.).

Is this the end of times so often spoken of in the Bible? There are some who say so. Are we prepared on all levels of our beingness — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual? If not, how can we be better prepared?

The three basic physical necessities that we must all recognize and prepare for in the event of any disruption in the daily operating procedures of factories, supplies, and stores are:

1. Food
2. Water
3. Shelter

We must prepare an adequate supply of food and water to keep our family and our neighbors self-sufficient for at least three to six months (and preferably longer). If there is an area in which to grow a garden start one now. Grow fruit and nut trees. Enjoy the bounty of nature. Share your gifts with others.

A church in Michigan called the Omega Ministries is storing food for the entire town. Their whole community will be able to subsist upon the gracious, generous, and far-sighted planning of this group. What a way to bring in the new millenium — giving of ourselves to help one another.

An alternative source of heat will be necessary in the cold areas. Look into various sources for keeping warm and cozy during these challenging times ahead.

Remember the words of the wise one — Love your neighbor as yourself. Now is a great time to start our neighborly love. Discuss these issues with neighbors. Work together towards realistic solutions to what is bound to be the most challenging of all times in history.

The important point is to prepare for not only ourselves but our neighbors as well. How? By being a responsible individual. Gather information, give assistance to those in need, and share love with one another as we were intended to by our Creator.

This is a good time to start to look outside of ourselves and turn toward our extended family, friends, and neighbors. Educate everyone about the potential for a disruption of life as we know it. Talk about suggestions and be a source of inspiration, joy, and guidance in effectively preparing for the times ahead.

Become community oriented. Find out how to help the community understand and prepare for these emergency situations. What about setting up a barter system in the community? Pool together resources for sharing and exchanging of goods and services.

This will be a time to return to the basics and rely upon ourselves and our natural resources. This is the way it used to be. Discover how to become self-sufficient. What items are necessary to grow and maintain our own food source. Be creative. Be willing to try new ideas. And the important point is to start now, not three weeks before the New Year arrives, because then it will be too late.

Instill a sense of spiritual values within the family. Look within the hearts of those that surround us. How can we be better citizens of the world, as well as citizens of the heart? What can we do to help? Respect begins within and grows outward. Learn to understand and appreciate others. We are all in this thing together, and we can help each other in times of crisis. There is no need to fear when we are prepared in every way for what lies ahead.

Be creative with ideas to become self-sufficient. Rely upon inner strength, the source of inspiration and guidance. Be a guiding light shining through all obstacles.