Now that we are beginning the year 1999 and the countdown is on to the new millenium, are we thinking about preparing for the time ahead?

It is responsible and commonsense behavior to prepare for all eventualities. During the winter we stock up on food, water, and necessities in case of storm related emergencies. On the West Coast we stock up on food, water, and first aid supplies in the case of earthquakes or power outages of some sort. And it is natural to now prepare for the inevitable problems (whether massive or insignificant depending upon who is reporting) that will entail during the changeover to the year 2000.

If you haven’t heard already, the Y2K glitch or the millenium bug has been coined to cover the problems that we will encounter as the computers switch over from the year 1999 to the year 2000. When computers first were introduced into our culture they registered years in two digits (99 for the year 1999). When the computers will now roll over to the year 2000, they will indicate 00, which will be recognized as the year 1900 or not recognized at all, causing disruption in the operation of every facet of life that is run by computers.

Since everything in our world is interconnected, this computer glitch will affect just about everything on our planet. This includes the minutest to the most monumental structure of daily life. Some failures will be minor whereas others will have serious consequences for all of us. Our lives are virtually controlled by the technology age, and we can’t go back to the good old days before the computer technology. We’re stuck with computers, and we’re stuck with this massive problem.

The majority of us are still in the denial phase. We don’t believe that this could cause a major disruption in how we function in our daily lives. How could this little glitch cause a serious problem? And the media still has not come forward and realistically discussed this problem. We hear the words "we are ready", "we are compliant", "we don’t see any major problems" spouting from the mouths of those who want to keep us in the dark about this issue. They don’t want to cause any panics, and they don’t want us to prepare. Why? That’s the big question. Why aren’t they truthfully discussing this issue with us?

Some say that this lack of openly and honestly presenting to the public the seriousness of the problem is a deliberate manipulation. Those in the minority who are reporting on this issue state that this may be the chaos that will bring a natural disaster to the country and the entire world. We will fall right into the hands of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the government asking for support and welcoming martial law to bring a sense of security to us and our disturbed city dwellers. In this panic we will then play right into their hands by willingly giving up our personal freedom (including guns and property) in exchange for food, water, medical aid, and protection from loiters.

This sounds like panic being deliberately created by not properly informing us of the potential for Y2K problems and their solutions. We have had at least two year’s warning of this impending crisis, why haven’t we been told the truth by our leaders? Why do they mysteriously remain silent?

The government may not have created this Y2K disaster but they are now using it to their advantage in keeping silent about the extensive ramifications that are heading our way. In this way they are silently creating massive panic in the unaware public when they discover that it is too late to do anything about it. This panic will lead to chaos, and we will become the victims of disruption in every part of our daily lives, ultimately leading to martial law and the control of the masses by government troops. This thing is too huge for our local and state police to handle. This is one crisis that will affect everyone in every state. The government is stockpiling their supplies. Why aren’t they suggesting that we do the same? For control purposes?

Those individuals that are starting to question what is really going on in regards to this Y2K problem are called "fanatics", "alarmists", "whackos", and even "militants". Why is it promoted as a crime to "stockpile" food and supplies for the protection of our families? It is the only responsible thing to do.

Why don’t the leaders of our country announce in the major media the Y2K potential problems and give time for the people to prepare in order to avoid a panic? Why is the public not being informed of the seriousness of the problems including the civil liberty issues that will be at stake? This seems to be a conspiracy of silence. We will beg for intervention for government rations, increased surveillance, and extensive control and manipulation. What price will we pay for this dependence? The price of freedom?

This upcoming crisis is seen as an excellent lead into increased government control over the populace. In a national emergency we do not have the right to disobey commands from military personnel. We will willingly give up our freedom for safety and food (just as we would during a war time emergency). And when will we be getting back those freedoms we handed over? Government will be seen as the benevolent Big Brother helping his little brothers and sisters during this time of crisis.

Y2K is a big problem, and the major news media is not giving us the full story because they don’t want us to stockpile supplies and create a panic situation. Since just about every business transaction requires computers it is logical to think that this will not be an easy transition for anyone. Thus, the need for us to be sensible and realistic in regards to what the near future will bring to all of our doors.

Why are private and public companies and the government spending millions of dollars to repair their computers to make all systems Y2K compliant? If this wasn’t a real problem why did the IRS budget one billion dollars to make sure they are Y2K compliant? The Social Security Department has been working on this problem for 10 years and still is not finished with their repairs. This is serious business.

We must learn about our vulnerability and prevent potential problems from happening. What are the areas that we should be looking at now and putting together a plan that encompasses the entire family?

The American Red Cross recently advised the public to stockpile one week’s supply of food. That’s a good start but nowhere near adequate.

A minimum amount of one month’s supply of the following items are necessary, with a maximum of five year’s supply. Why? Because when the factories start closing down, the farmer’s can’t get the seeds and needed supplies for the next harvest, the retailers can’t get their goods because the suppliers can’t provide the raw materials, and the pyramid begins to collapse around us and all areas of business are affected.

• Food — Plan on food for the entire family, including your pets. Check out freeze-dried food for it’s long shelf life. Decide on the best place to store this emergency supply.
• Water — A fresh water source is essential. Store bottled water and city water in large containers. Or better yet create your own well in your backyard. Store all water in a cool place.
• Favorite Goodies — Stock up on favorites for the entire family, such as specialty coffee, tea, snacks, and candy goodies.
• Cash — With computers inoperable, how will you purchase items you may need? Will they even be available? Cash will be used for trading for essential items you may need. Checks and credit cards will not be acceptable.
• Gasoline — Will you be planning on driving in emergency conditions? How will you purchase gasoline if the gas stations are closed? Storing gasoline in safe containers would be a good idea.
• Energy — A generator or some type of self-sufficient energy source will be useful. Include lots of candles, matches, and firewood.
• First Aid Supplies — There probably will not be outside medical assistance available due to the high demand and the chaotic conditions. Stock up on bandages, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, regular medications, vitamins, aspirin, and cold medications.
• Dental and Medical Supplies — Be sure to have on hand an adequate amount of dental supplies, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, etc. Also include prescription drugs that are essential.
• Emergency Items — Make sure you have flashlights, lanterns, a portable radio and television, and enough batteries for all items to continue working for at least several years.
• Personal Items — These include items that the entire family uses on a daily basis. Have a complete set put together for each member. Included are items such as the following — soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, deodorant, face and body lotions, cotton balls, swabs, etc. Take a day and observe everything your family uses (items that are not electronically operated) and then include all items in the emergency kit.
• Clothing – Cold weather — Even in sunny southern California, the weather gets cold in the mornings and evenings. If electricity and gas is unavailable for long periods of time, how will you and your family cope with these cold conditions? Warm coats, sweaters, pants, socks, thermal underwear, and hiking boots are important. Remember children are growing; be sure to have adequate clothes and shoes to outfit them.

• Camping equipment — If your home is damaged, or there is a need to move out of doors to a safe location, you will rely on those items that will get you to safety and keep you feed and warm. Sleeping bags, space blankets, and various camping supplies will be useful.
• Protection — How will you protect your family? Is your home safe from intruders? Are your fences secure? How will you prepare in the event of civil unrest? This is a very serious question that needs to be addressed and all issues discussed with the entire family.
• Books and study material — Last but not least include your favorite books and study books for the children in the event of long-term disruption in the school system. Books will become the main pastime activity when all electronic toys are inoperable.

Read about the Y2K problem. Learn about the potential for a real crisis situation. Learn and then share this information with everyone. Don’t be fanatical, be sensible and realistic. Be an example of preparedness in any situation.

It is to our advantage to inform our family, relatives, neighbors, church groups, school associations, and acquaintances, because the more people that are ready and prepared, the better off we all will be. There will be less chaos around us. Enlisting the help of neighbors will be one of our greatest assets. Talk to them about pooling together to buy supplies. Search out the best buys and the best place to store those supplies.

How would we feel if our neighbor came to our door begging for food for his children who haven’t eaten in several days? What would we do? Would we turn them away? In a more drastic scenario, what will we do if someone forcefully breaks down our door and steals our supplies? This is a possibility that can happen in the best of neighborhoods when disorder and chaos is now the norm.

Y2K is coming; there is no escaping from this fact. The longer we delay in purchasing our supplies, the harder to find and the more expensive those supplies will be when people start waking up to the true potential for major disruption in our every aspect of our daily lives. We may say this can’t possibly happen and that they’ll get it resolved in time. Most of the major corporations have spent millions of dollars on this upcoming crisis, and still are working on it. This isn’t something that is going to silently go away or be resolved in a few days. This disruption may take months (or even years) to get the country back to normal operating conditions.

We are in for a national and global shakeup. How will we fare? Are we going to bank on the presupposition that it will be fixed and everything will be okay by the time the clock rolls around to the year 2000? Are we going to have to rely on government support, or are we going to be self-reliant? And if we find ourselves in the position of accepting outside assistance, what freedoms are we giving up in exchange for that assistance? These are questions to seriously ponder as we go about planning for our family’s future.