Christian Y2K Newsletter - http://www.christiany2k.com Feb. 24, 1999 Subscribers: 6,253 1. Senate Report: A Denial-Buster 2. CIA Sees Chaotic Picture Overseas 3. D.C. A Potential Disaster 4. Mission Critical: The Story Behind the Report Card 5. This Week's Links 6. What's New at ChristianY2K.com -------------------------------------------------------- THE CHRISTIAN'S Y2K PREPARATION HANDBOOK This newly-released book emphasizes a "common sense" approach that combines practical preparation plans with an optimistic Christian outlook. Review this and other Y2K titles for believers: http://www.christiany2k.com/spiritual.shtml -------------------------------------------------------- A huge news week on the y2K front. Let's get to it: 1. SENATE REPORT: A DENIAL BUSTER In the most comprehensive, most "official" and perhaps most credible assessment yet, the Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 describes the Y2K computer problem as a "worldwide crisis" and as "one of the most serious and potentially devastating events this nation has ever encountered." In a 161-page draft report leaked to several major media outlets, the committee warns: "This problem will affect us all individually and collectively in very profound ways ... It will indeed impact individual businesses and the global economy. In some cases, lives could even be at stake." The Senate report will likely be interpreted many ways, but it is clearly a sober analysis that should encourage all Americans to take this issue seriously. This ought to be the "denial-buster" many Y2K awareness advocates have been hoping for. The report, described by one media report as "low key," is careful to avoid alarmist conclusions and rejects some of the more catastrophic interpretations of the Y2K threat. "The committee has no data to suggest that the United States will experience nationwide social or economic collapse," write co-chairmen Sen. Robert Bennett and Sen. Christopher Dodd. "But we believe that disruptions will occur that in some cases will be significant. The international situation will be more disturbing. Those who suggest that it will be nothing more than a 'bump in the road' are simply misinformed." The "bump in the road" argument has been used by several skeptics in the Christian community. It is our prayer that they will reconsider that position and take the issue more seriously - based on the facts. As for those urging people not to prepare, here is the Senate panel's recommendation: "Consumers are urged to keep copies of financial statements," the report states. "Stockpiling a small amount of extra food and water in the event of temporary shortages may also be advisable." Here are two stories about the Senate report from major newspapers: Study Says Y2K Risks Widespread http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-02/24/063r-0 22499-idx.html Senate panel is troubled by gaps in Y2K progress http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/99/Feb/24/business/YTWO24 .htm 2. CIA SEES CHAOTIC PICTURE OVERSEAS Both the Senate report and Congressional testimony Wednesday by Gen. John Gordon, Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, suggest the most serious domestic disruptions may be ripples from more profound problems overseas. Gordon said Y2K could cause serious disruptions abroad, including breakdowns in nuclear reactors and strategic missile systems, power outages and disruptions in world trade and oil shipments. Midwinter power outages in Russia could have "major humanitarian consequences," according to the CIA's analysis, while "China will probably experience failures in key sectors such as telecommunications, electric power and banking." Here's the full story: CIA predicts serious Year 2000 computer problems in foreign lands http://www.nandotimes.com/noframes/story/0,2107,21720-35493- 258927-,00.html 3. D.C. A POTENTIAL DISASTER The General Accounting Office reports that after Jan. 1, 2000 "The District (of Columbia) may be unable to effectively ensure public safety, collect revenue, educate students and provide health care services. As a result, the District faces a significant risk that vital services will be disrupted." A day later, the White House came up with $60 million in "emergency funds" to help fund the District's badly clagging compliance effort. Here's more: The District of Calamity http://www.wired.com/news/news/politics/story/18029.html Y2K Could Bring D.C. To a Halt, Report Says http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-02/19/138l- 021999-idx.html District's Y2K Effort Gets White House Aid $60 Million Promised to Avert Glitches http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-02/20/092l- 022099-idx.html 4. MISSION-CRITICAL: THE STORY BEHIND THE REPORT CARD Congressman Steven Horn's Government Y2K "Report Card" was released this week, and showed significant improvement by many government agencies, although not all. There's no question that the federal government has accelerated its Y2K effort, in some cases significantly. But does the report card reflect the real picture? Dr. Robert M. Alloway is the man behind Rep. Horn's numbers. A former MIT information technology professor, Alloway works with the House committee on Y2K. In a briefing for major media Tuesday in New York, Alloway expressed concern that much of the improvement in the federal government's rankings is because agencies have reclassified many systems, moving them from "mission-critical" to categories of lower urgency. Between August 1997 and November, 1998, the total number of systems classified as "mission-critical" in the federal government shrunk from 9,100 to 6,696. At the same time, the number of Y2K compliant systems rose from 1,762 to 4,054. That means that during that 15-month period, the government redefined more mission-crticial systems (2,404) than it actually fixed (2,292). Expect to see major media outlets begin to report on this very soon. Some background on Alloway can be found here: The Millennium Factor http://www.millenniumfactor.com/ 5. THIS WEEK'S LINKS White House Fears Y2K Panic http://www.wired.com/news/news/politics/story/17986.html Portland, Ore., organizing neighborhoods for possible Y2K glitches http://www2.startribune.com/cgi-bin/stOnLine/article?thisSto ry=70743761 Y2K fears already ruining vacation plans http://www.freep.com/tech/qnofun20.htm Y2K's Effect on the Supply Chain http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/tech/Y2KReady/ratcliffe99 0219.html Y2K and Our Food Supply: Moovin' From Farm to Fork http://y2ktimebomb.com/Industry/Agriculture/creg9907.htm 6. WHAT'S NEW AT CHRISTIANY2K.COM Have you taken our new survey yet? "What duration of Y2K disruptions are you preparing for?" The results thus far: - More than 3 months: 31.9%; - 1-3 months: 37.4%; - A month or less: 25.15% - No Preparations: 5.52% What do you think? Let us know at: http://www.christiany2k.com/survey.shtml We've also added several new books to our online offerings, including one of Amazon's most popular titles, "How To Survive Y2K Chaos In The City" by Ken and Nancy Eirich, which offers specific Y2K preparedness information for urban dwellers. Check it out at this URL: http://www.christiany2k.com/prepbooks.shtml Finally, we need your help on a project. We're seeking to put together a list of denominational website statements about Y2K. If you have a URL for a denomination's Y2K position, please email us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and let us know. We appreciate your assistance! ARCHIVES For past issues of the Christian Y2K Newsletter, check out our online archive at this URL: http://christiany2k.listbot.com Until next week, In His Service Rich Miller ------------------------------------------------------------ --- This newsletter is designed to provide general information about the Year 2000 computer problem and related issues. It is made available with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering legal, medical, financial, technical or other professional services. It shouldn't be used as a substitute for professional legal, financial, medical, or technical advice or services if a professional is required. All statements made on this web site are Year 2000 Statements and are protected as Year 2000 readiness disclosures under the Good Samaritan Act. All statements made on this web site/newsletter are Year 2000 Statements and are protected as Year 2000 readiness disclosures under the Good Samaritan Act. _______ To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Eat the hay & spit out the sticks!" RTKB&G4JC! Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://rangernet.org
