Since the report does say not to pay any attention to us internet wackos, this could be worthless. But I would like to ask our leaders a few questions.

1) How could "one of the most serious and potentially devastating events this nation has ever encountered" turn into a "bump in the road" in just a few short days.

2) We've been working on this problem for years, but in just 72 short hours after 1/1, all will be OK. Please explain how this is possible.

3)...

What would you ask? Should we do it as a group? Any other comments? <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 03, 1999

Answers

We should definitely do it as a group, with the most knowledgeable among us composing the letter--a letter full of facts they haven't stated publicly. I'm a relative newbie to this group--but you all know who the researchers are in this group. I have something to offer in my own way, but this is something I'd prefer to share via private email with names I know and respect (you're one of them Sys). Just my two cents worth. Email me privately if you wish. (F.Y.I., generally speaking--a phone call to these people represents 100 people. A letter represents 1000.)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), March 03, 1999.

In trying to sway public officials on national illegal-immigration issues, this issue comes up a lot. My observations:

• "All politics is local". It works best for constituents to contact THEIR own reps. Politicians don't care what voters outside their districts think.
• Email is useless. FAXes are better, but letters and phone-calls are best.
• If you are a constituent, include your address. Your rep MUST respond, in writing (an aide, actually).
• I think a lot of individual letters would be better than a single letter from the "Yourdon Wackos".
• Someone like Diane would definately craft a more influential letter than Paul Milne.
• For the truly motivated, it would be possible to setup a web-site with CGI-bin capability (or similar functionality) which allows people to submit pre-written FAXes. People could register, and the system would only FAX to their reps, based on their address. If such a web-site is connected to even a single phone-line and FAX-modem, this can be quite effective. (Not my idea, BTW. One of the anti- immigration sites does this)

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@anonymous.com), March 03, 1999.

I am surprised that no reporters asked what Bennett's own family are doing to prepare. I think it was a planned program from the speeches to the media questions. I think it was a very controlled meeting.

I turned the channel and caught the press sec. taking questions about Clinton and Broderick. The press certainly was not shy about what they were asking. The press sec. was dodging questions and looking very unhappy. The reporters tones were harsh and condeming.

-- Linda A. (adahi@muhlon.com), March 03, 1999.

Individual letters, yes. If anyone is unsure of how to address or word a letter to a politician, please post here with your real e-mail address and I'll try to help. But YOU have to find the names and addresses of people you want to write to! Don't worry, I'm not thinking of the same letter to everyone; each letter will mirror the thoughts and personality of the originator. Politicians certainly DO take notice of letters from their constituents, particularly if note is made of some local project or pet charity they've been involved in. If your letter is properly addressed and in business-style, it will have that much more effect.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 03, 1999.

Sysman,

Thanks for bringing up the possibility. I have never been a letter-writer, marcher, or protester, but the wheels have been turning since I joined this group. I keep asking myself:

Can I really afford to sit back, be silent, prepare for the worst, and still have a clear conscience? ans: no.

What will happen if my neighbors are not prepared, and 30 days into Y2K they are knocking on my door - cold and hungry - can we turn them away? ans: no.

Am I strong enough, by myself, to carry a message to local, state or federal levels? ans: no.

Can we as a group have an impact on these entities? Yeah, I think so - at least we could make some noise. How about a petition? I'm not sure how the logistics of an electronic petition would work, but we should respond with a single, eloquent voice. There are a couple of people here who have the skill to craft our messages into a single, coherent cry from the wilderness. We owe it to ourselves to do this.

Hell, I am generally an introverted systems geek with few real friends. I have lived in the same house for 15 years, and we have never associated with anyone on our block, other than a wave or a greeting. There are two other geeks on the block and they are both DGI. I guess what I am saying is, I want to get a message to them and others across the country (the factual message), but I have a hard time getting thru to people.

I thought about a bumper sticker yesterday - it would say "Y2K GI" and it would serve the purpose of letting other GIs know that they are not alone. The same could apply to T-shirts, ball caps, and key rings.

Whatever you folks decide to do, you can count on me for participation and support.

I want to say more, but don't have the words. The rage is building in me. I am so mad and disappointed at the lack of leadership and courage in this country, that I could just shit.

Mike Cumbie

-- Mike Cumbie (mikecumbie@aol.com), March 03, 1999.

Sysman and Yourdonites,

You can e your report comments to the Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem at Year2000@y2k.senate.gov or else phone them at (202) 224-5224.

Address:

Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem
United States Senate
SD-B40, Suite 3
Washington, DC 20510

Or ...

No matter what side of the impeachment equation you found yourself on, there was an internet organization called Move On that had quite a digital impact on the political system.

They could act as a role model OR perhaps get behind Y2K as well?

Diane

Access them at:

http://www.moveon.org

A letter they sent out shortly after it was all over ...

The President has been acquitted. Although it took far longer than all of us had hoped, the country will now move on.

You have made a difference. Many of you worked very hard to be heard by Congress. You were heard. Attached below is a letter we received this week from Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren confirming your impact. Our grassroots effort played a key role in bolstering opposition to impeachment.

We've also established the Internet as an important new democratic medium: 500,000 petitions signed, millions of emails to Congress, more than a quarter million phone calls, $13 million in pledged dollars, seven hundred thousand hours of pledged time. You've made history.

The damage done by impeachment will depend on how Americans respond. If we take this episode as a wake-up call, and make a real change in Congress, history will record this chapter as the end of an era of partisan warfare and the beginning of a democratic renaissance.

MoveOn's mission in the next two years will be to make effective citizen participation as easy as possible.

We will:

* Monitor and oppose renewal of the Independent Counsel statute,
* Monitor emerging congressional candidates in your area and across the nation,
* Make it easy to contribute time, money and support to campaigns. < br>

It's time for a change in Congress. We need new talent and new vision. We need a focus on issues, not partisanship. Our early money, time and support will be key elements in making this possible.

If you'd like to take an active part in forming MoveOn's future plans and are not already a MoveOn volunteer, sign up at

http://www.moveon.org/ volunteer.htm

There's a lot of good work to do.

Signing off for now,

-Wes Boyd and Joan Blades
MoveOn.org
__________

Letter from Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren:

February 10, 1999

When Radical Republicans hijacked the Constitution and misused impeachment for partisan purposes, I worked on the House Judiciary Committee in an effort to stop them. We lost all the votes along party lines. But, as we worked, Americans spoke out. Thousands of people, many working through moveon.org, helped give me and my colleagues reinforcement for our effort

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 03, 1999.

Oops, sorry ...

Letter from Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren:

February 10, 1999

When Radical Republicans hijacked the Constitution and misused impeachment for partisan purposes, I worked on the House Judiciary Committee in an effort to stop them. We lost all the votes along party lines. But, as we worked, Americans spoke out. Thousands of people, many working through moveon.org, helped give me and my colleagues reinforcement for our effort

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 03, 1999.

Hummn? ...

...While we couldn't dissuade Republicans in the House of Representatives, the overwhelming voice of Americans helped the United States Senate to end this madness.

Your voices made a difference. But your job won't be done until Americans deliver an "electoral rebuke" to Republican Impeachers in the 2000 Congressional elections. That will dissuade later Congresses from the future partisan misuse of impeachment.

Best,

Zoe Lofgren.
__________

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 03, 1999.