Ken,
I know people who work with Koskinen.
That's puts me HEADS AND SHOULDERS above YOU with regard to access to sentiment in the govt.
Koskinen is not Clinton and for you to make that comparison is seriously flawed logic, as well as downright disgusting. I have met the guy (about 1 1/2 years ago), and he struck me not as a bureaucrat, but as someone who is as straightforward as his position permits (politically speaking).
I do not believe he is a liar. He may not tell all he knows, but I don't believe he is flagrantly lying about what his sentiment is.
And as you can see, they are not panicking as you can see from Koskinen's interview. In fact, an associate of mine who knows Koskinen was rather shocked when I mentioned that I was stockpiling a couple of months of supplies as this person really wasn't concerned enough to act similarly. But I merely stated that anything could take place and Y2K had finally made recognize that it was better to have 2 months supplies in case of ANY EVENTUALITY, Y2K related or otherwise. (I grew up in a predominantly Mormon community Ken. They generally have enough supplies on hand to last a year as per guidance from their church elders. Not a bad idea).
So while every once and a while I get some pretty interesting first hand information (as well as an opportunity to act as an sounding board for some y2k related proposals/projects my associates are working on), all you seem to have is your undocumented rumours and news reports which only fill the need for news organization to make Y2K "newsworthy" enough to generate advertising revenue.
And while I personlly don't believe that all of these associations fully understand the potential of Y2K related issues, neither do I think they disregard it as nothing.
NO ONE I HAVE MET HAS ANYTHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT KOSKINEN RELATED TO HIS INTEGRITY.
And that in itself is a rather remarkable fact in and of itself here in DC where backstabbing has been turned into a fine science.
My only concerns are that associations (like manufacturing or energy related) are not fessin' up with all the facts and giving Koskinen the full story. This is distinctly possible, but there is not much the govt can do since it has no direct authority to demand to check their systems personally (nor do they have the manpower).
So while I can't exactly be specific as to who or what I know, I am trying to act as a weather vane of political and personal sentiment here in the capital.
Btw, did I mention that I have met Cory Hamasaki several times, as well as Rick Cowles (who's opinion I really respect). I have met Jim Lord, Tony Keyes, and a few others that CK was nice enough to introduce me to. (yeah, I've met her as well).
So I'm not a Johnny come lately Ken. I've been around the Y2K scene for some time and continued to learn and analyze all I can.
However, my training and experience as an political and business risk analyst, both civilian and military has well taught me to look for facts, not supposition or circumstantial evidence.
And I'm not sure we'll ever see actual facts since the lawyers keep getting in the way. However, industry fully understands that should they misle the govt officials, they face SERIOUS REGULATORY actions that will completely overrule the current movement to de-regulation of the industry.
That's the hammer that govt has placed over their heads, as well as providing them the necessary waivers that permit them to relate issues freely to the govt without fearing litigation.
As for the 50% lies comment, I have NO IDEA how the survey was accomplished NOR the represented or targeted business sectors. And while you accuse the govt of "covering their asses", don't ignore the agenda of the newspapers who want to sell copy (Y2K panic sells), or the consultants who wish to justify their continued existence (reflect back on those times that we all thought KEA was going to be the only company worth holding this year and through 2000.).
The bottom line?? Don't accept polls unless you understand how they are put together or how the questions are asked.
You should know that by watching politics.
So where are we at with regard to Y2K? Who knows for sure?? No one, I suspect, especially overseas. But I'm going to follow the smart money. If I catch wind here in DC that people are starting to freak out about Y2K, I'll be sure and let you all know.
But right now, my wife and I are both considered extremists for even thinking about stock-piling 2 months worth of basic subsistence items.
So in sum Ken... you can read all you want and spew all the doomsday scenarios you can dream up. But the practical side is to watch the washington insiders and see WHAT THEY ARE DOING. |
