Sen. Bennett on Y2K

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Hey folks, what do you make of this?

http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Nov-18-Wed-1998/business/10069789.html

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), November 18, 1998

Answers

# # # 19981118

Here's my gut take on this piece of journalistic, propaganda crap ...

Regards, Bob mangus

[BEGIN] Wednesday, November 18, 1998

Senator discusses Y2K glitch The chairman of a special Year 2000 panel expects the problem to cause economic turmoil.

By John G. Edwards

Review-Journal

The chairman of a special Senate committee Tuesday said he expects the Year 2000 computer problem to have repercussions around the world and cause "an economic downturn."

{ That should be, "ECONOMIC DUMP!" }

Sen. Robert F. Bennett, R-Utah, made his comments after a private meeting with executives at the Comdex computer trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

{ Hmmm! Private, eh?! Why all the secrecy?!! That'll enlighten the public! }

"I am one who thinks we will have an economic downturn" because of Y2K computer problems, Bennett said in an interview.

{ How humble of Bennett to say so! }

Bennett is best known in Las Vegas as the former public relations director for Summa Corp., the company once controlled by the late billionaire Howard Hughes.

{ I guess we know where Bennett's "hens" are roosting! }

Bennett has been in the Senate since 1993 and serves as chairman of the Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem.

{ Not a bad charade, er ... job for a former PR lackey! }

The Year 2000 problem, also known as the Millennium Bug, stems from the former practice of designating only the last two digits of years in computer programs. Computers using programs with this deficiency may confuse the year 2000 with the year 1900, which could create havoc with many computer systems and records.

{ Hmmm ... "confuse" ... try "broken" infrastructure!! How lame!}

The United States is in the lead on correcting Year 2000 problems.

{ SO WHAT?!! We'll take the lead, alright! Right off the Y2K land slide! }

"Potentially, this could tie up huge parts of the economy," the senator said. "There will be a problem. There is no question that we can't fix everything that needs to be fixed (over the next 14 months).

{ "There will be a problem." ... No sh*t, Sherlock! Still handing out the Prozac! }

"My current assumption is that the United States will overcome this without overwhelming crippling problems."

{ Is this so!? Prove it! Where's the evidence? }

Some companies may fail as a result of Year 2000 problems, nevertheless, Bennett said.

{ ... And cause devastating domino effects to, and throughout, the business partner food chain. }

A supplier, for example, might lose a key Fortune 500 company as a customer because of concern about Year 2000 compliance, he said.

{ ... And the Fortune 500 company won't find a COMPLIANT REPLACEMENT -- ANYWHERE, IN TIME! }

"I'm terribly sorry," Bennett suggested the Fortune 500 company might say. "I can't run the risk of having you in the supply chain."

{ ... ZAP! POOF! KABLAM! ... So begins the mass unemployment meltdown. }

Other companies may be unable to obtain components from foreign suppliers. The foreign exporters could encounter Year 2000 problems that hinder production, telephone communication or shipping, Bennett explained.

{ Further heating the Y2K economic meltdown. }

Bennett said he believes less developed countries in Asia, Africa and South America will be most affected by Year 2000 problems, but are working hard to resolve potential computer glitches.

{ Don't think so! The US makes up 35% of GLOBAL "GDP" (sic)! Who's going to be most affected? }

Bennett said he is concerned about how Y2K will affect the health care industry. Although big hospitals and hospital chains probably are prepared, smaller ones may be less so, Bennett said.

{ ... "probably are prepared." Just what ARE the probabilities, Bennett?!! Arrrgggghhhhh!!! }

"I wouldn't want to get sick in some rural hospital."

{ Discouraging "rural flight," (with this statement) maybe?! PR ... "Pure Rubbish!" }

These smaller hospitals may have old equipment and may lack resources to make changes in computer programs, Bennett said.

{ Make that _ALL HOSPITALS HAVE OLD EQUIPMENT_, Bennett! Billing's a mess now ... after Y2K? }

Bennett said his top priority is the electric utility industry and he is becoming more confident that problems will be avoided here. Large telephone companies, his second priority, appear ready, but they may encounter problems connecting through smaller telecommunications companies that aren't prepared.

{ Priority?!? .. TO DO WHAT?! Harp a little, carp a little, then harp some more?! That's productive! ... NOT!!

Banks are DOAY2K; transportation's DOAY2K; water's DOAY2K; food's DOAY2K; e-commerce is DOAY2K; military's DOAY2K; USPS's DOAY2K; prison's are DOAY2K; fire/police/emergency are DOAY2K; Y2K REMEDIATION's DOAY2K; etc, etc. etc.

The priority has got to be individual/family/community Y2K preparedness for long-term ( 5-to-15 year recovery and ) lifestyle adjustments. That should be PRIORITY! Where's that message going to finally come from and WHEN? Certainly NOT from politicians or corporations.

We're on our own! That suits me, just fine! Just don't dare get in the way! }

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-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), November 18, 1998.


Aw come on now, don't hold back on how ya feel. Bennett. Yep, and he's the Paul Revere of the Senate! Only the real Paul Revere didn't go through town whispering 'The British may be coming, the British may be coming'. No siree bob. He galloped through town yelling at the top of lungs that 'they ARE coming'. We're on our own, and so's the rest of the world.

-- Robert Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), November 18, 1998.

I'd hate to be in Senator Bennett's shoes, or Peter de Jager's. Bennett is doing everything he can to bring this to public attention, without sounding like a doomsayer. I'm sure the Senator also does not want to be known as the one who started the Panic of '99.

Since panic is close now, expect to hear the bad news only from people who don't worry about their reputations or lawsuits. Bennett did bring us a long way, though.

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), November 18, 1998.


Just when Senator Bob was lulling me into a stupor, our Bob slapped me back into reality. Thanks, Bob. I needed that.

-- Steve Hartsman (hartsman@ticon.net), November 19, 1998.

I have almost stopped reading Senator Bennett's remarks now. My eyes start glazing over when I do. Tsk tsk Senator....can you spell "waffle"; how about "tap dance"?

-- Bobbi (volfnat@northweb.com), November 19, 1998.


Robert, "We're on our own, and so's the rest of the world."

Slight shift in perspective, "We're in it together, and the rest of the world joins us."

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 19, 1998.


# # # 19981119

diane,

everything'll be local, post-y2k. there'll be no 'all'-together, i say. to fantasize otherwise, is otherwise, denial.

... obviously, i'm not much of a bard! [e.g., e. e. cummings] ;-)

regards, bob mangus # # #

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), November 19, 1998.


I think Senator Bennett is doing what he should do. As Y2K gets closer, he is staying calm to prevent bank runs, etc. What's he supposed to do, yell fire?

Hey everyone!!! The shit is going to hit the fan..Get your money out of the banks now!

He has caused more awareness than almost anyone in Washington.

-- Dave (dave22@concentric.net), November 19, 1998.


"A supplier, for example, might lose a key Fortune 500 company as a customer because of concern about Year 2000 compliance, he said."

ROFLMAO on this one. So what?!? Have you seen the 10Qs on the Fortune 500 companies Mr. Bennett? OK. So I missed that word "key" that qualified your statement. Now please define for me what you meant by "key". Do you mean the ones that will still be in business and be able to pay their suppliers?

I think it would have been more prudent to say it the other way around. A Fortune 500 may lose a key supplier because the supplier may be concerned about the Fortune 500 company's Year 2000 compliance.

It looks like the little guys will have an easier time getting ready than those big old dinosaurs to me. Who was it? Chrysler? Who wasn't aware that they were about to lose one their key suppliers to kitty litter? They just took it for granted that everyone wanted to be their supplier. Let's just face it. Big business is on it's way out. They are the ones who are totally dependent on computers. The little guys aren't.

But that's just my opinion.

Anna

-- Anna McKay Ginn (annaginn@aol.com), November 19, 1998.


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