Well, begin by lying to the public and telling them that whatever problems (lack of water,power,sewer service,phone, tv etc.) they may experience will be STRICTLY LOCALIZED PROBLEMS. Then, fortify the lie by controlling the dissemination of actual reports of infrastructure failures come rollover. THE RESULT WILL BE MASSIVE MOVEMENTS (OR ATTEMPTS AT MOVEMENT) of people from one area experiencing "isolated" infrastructure collapse to what THEY BELIEVE EXISTS ELSEWHERE(because of government lies) which is other cities and towns unaffected by the problems they are experiencing! The public panic will not happen until they realize that there is no peaceful way for unprepared families to get food and water and other necessities simply by driving to another town or city.

-- Ann Fisher (zyax55a@prodigy.internet), October 03, 1999

Answers

Then blame Y2K problems on potential public bean-buying panic, but make sure the media, et. al., puts more attention on cyber-war or bio- war, rather than Y2K preparations....

FBI Says Y2K Software Has Been Tampered With (Reuters)

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001Vrb

ABC Report on Bio-Terrorist Attack

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001VYX

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

VERY good point.

It would/will create these sort of wandering tribes of denial. Always sure that Shangrila exists over the next hill. In general one would expect migration to move south towards the warmer climes. The Mississipi and other large rivers will also be a Mecca.

Many will probably return to their place of origin. Just to try to find some familiar touchstone in a world gone mad.

-- R (riversoma@aol.com), October 03, 1999.

Bingo! I remember Sen Bennett being quoted as saying this: It looks now as if the American Power Grid will hold together generally. But this may be of little comfort to those who sit in the dark LOCALLY. WFK

-- WFK (kb2fs@mindpring.com), October 03, 1999.

And, finally, with much Soul Searching and Deepest of Deep Regrets, declare Martial Law. Voila!

89 days.

Y2K CANNOT BE FIXED!

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.~net), October 03, 1999.

... and then....

go to prepared households and confiscate supplies generators, fuel, water, food, cold weather gear - for shelters,

then order evacuations to shelters

then take credit as great government leaders, planning and managing so well as take care of the area needs

then go confiscate all weapons,

then take credit for saving many lives by removing all weapons.

and the keep real quiet about armed looters/possible murderers shot or frightened away by residents before weapons were collected up -

but calculate in dead looters with gun victims to prove killing was going on and how many lives were now saved.

-- Living in (the@real.world), October 03, 1999.