I write a financial newsletter as a hobby and depend on the federal government for most economic data. For over two years I've included a column on Y2K progress. For this subject, the federal government has had a "You don't need to know the truth" attitude that's made me more anti-government than ever, and I've been a libertarian since 1974!

For example, the federal government has told us 90% of their systems are "non-mission-critical" and never mentioned them again! I don't believe "non-mission-critical" systems are part of the 'we're 99% done' announcements. Am I wrong about this?

Do you think the federal bureaucrats: (1) Really don't know what's going to happen?, or (2) Have been instructed that keeping the sheeple calm is their top priority?, or (3) Really think we can't handle the truth?

My guess is (1) and (2)

-- Richard Greene (rgreene2@ford.com), December 02, 1999

Answers

Not to be rude, but I guess you just got here. So as not to waste your and other's time, why don't you read some of the past articles.

At this late date, I like to see current reports on events, breaking changes in PR stance, insider or programmer revelations, etc.

Clearly, to anyone who has looked in to Y2K for more than 5 minutes, knows we are being lied to. The rest is speculation but does not lead to a rosy scenario.

-- Gregg (g.abbott@starting-point.com), December 02, 1999.

Richard, Yes, I think it's one and two, maybe even three! It is making me crazy--the disconnect. Look at the markets. When will the pop? What are you advising your readers?

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 02, 1999.

After all, they did purposley overinflate the casualty and refugee figures in Kosovo to win support of the American population. I think the quote was 66% overinflated (intentionally).

-- Rob (maxovrdrv51@hotmail.com), December 02, 1999.

More on the Mision critical vs non-mission critical issue... link

-- TA (sea_spur@yahoo.com), December 02, 1999.

More on the mission-critical vs non mission-critical issue... link

-- TA (sea_spur@yahoo.com), December 02, 1999.

Since you follow the markets do you find it odd that the data from the gub'mint seems to ebb and flow with the market?If the market gets a little too hot a "bad report" or number comes out, if the air starts coming out bang a "super" inflation number, housing starts whatever. I know we have a "goldilocks" economy but the data seems to be a little too perfect. The world around me isn't any where near that neat.

-- squid (Itsdark@down.here), December 03, 1999.

My guesses would be 1, 2, AND 3 depending on where said bureaucrat exists on the foodchain.

-- Ludi (ludi@rollin.com), December 03, 1999.

The bureaucrats can only lie if they know the truth. They don't.

They are being lied to as well. (NERC's silliness, for example, has been swallowed hook, line, and sinker by most government officials.)

This is the Age of Clinton. Lies are the coin of the realm.

Whether they are dangerous or harmless lies will become much clearer in the coming months.

-- cgbg jr (cgbgjr@webtv.net), December 03, 1999.

A round of applause for cgbg jr. That's exactly the problem, and it's always been the problem. There's rose tinting, hyperbole, downplaying, exaggeration, misunderstanding and downright lies all the way along the chain.

For news about the Y2K position of large companies, the chain goes something like: engineer to lead engineer to project manager to software manager to IT manager to IT executive officer to CEO to PR executive officer to PR project manager to PR front line. At every level content is removed and spin is added.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), December 03, 1999.

It's like Colin describes it.

Observing such a universal complex of lies has convinced me that our economic and political systems are not founded on very sensible principles. And we're about to pay a heavy price for this. :~(

-- number six (Iam_not_a_number@hotmail.com), December 03, 1999.