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Technology Stocks : Discuss Year 2000 Issues -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jeff Redman who wrote (3679)	2/5/1999 11:30:00 AM
From: O. H. Rundell	Respond to of 9818

<< Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman says it is unlikely the Year 2000 computer problem will cause widespread food shortages, partly because few U.S. farmers use high-tech systems that might be susceptible. >> Jeff, This is great news. Must mean that electricity, petroleum, transportation, etc. will all be AOK, too. Otherwise only the Amish farmers will fit Glickman's description. The happy talk blitz has hit. O. H.

To: Jeff Redman who wrote (3679)	2/5/1999 11:46:00 AM
From: flatsville	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 9818

Jeff--So glad that Ag. Sec. Glickman believes that it is unlikely that the Year 2000 computer problem will cause widespread food shortages partly because few US farmers use high-tech systems that might be susceptible...Something about fewer than 3% of farmers using automated systems for feeding, ventilation or cooling of animals?... When I lived in farm country QUITE A FEW of the farmers I was acquainted with used a very high-tech system know as the "oil/fuel import, refining and delivery system." Perhaps Glickman should put on his propeller beanie and think a little harder and perhaps backwards for some answers here? Look at remediation/contingency plans in some other key industries which might affect farming? Think about those pesky interdependencies and relationships? Hmmm...? "flatsville"

To: Jeff Redman who wrote (3679)	2/5/1999 1:09:00 PM
From: C.K. Houston	Respond to of 9818

SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE'S COMMENTS DEC '98 "I must confess that until recently I hadn't thought very much about the connection between the food on our tables and computers. But, as the new millennium approaches, the link becomes all too clear." "The [President's Year 2000]Council has asked the USDA, working with the Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, State and the Community Futures Trading Commission, to lead the government's awareness campaign to the food supply sector." fsis.usda.gov ====================================================== If things are so rosey ... why do you think USDA's working with DEPT OF DEFENSE, HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES, STATE and COMMUNITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION? ====================================================== NOW 2 MONTHS LATER, SECY OF AGRICULTURE SAYS ... WASHINGTON (AP) _ Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman says it is unlikely the Year 2000 computer problem will cause widespread food shortages, partly because few U.S. farmers use high-tech systems that might be susceptible. "The American public can be confident that the major domestic companies, which provide most of the key foods, will continue to operate,'' Glickman wrote in prepared testimony for his appearance today before a Senate committee. Glickman warned consumers against "needless and frivolous stockpiling of supplies.'' y2ktoday.com ====================================================== FROM USDA "FOOD SUPPLY WORKING GROUP" SITE: Feb '99 As mentioned before, agriculture producers and food suppliers are heavily dependent on computerized processing and information exchange. For example, farmers and ranchers use electronic equipment to water fields, feed animals, and transport what they produce. Processors rely on automated systems that help prepare and package consumer-ready products. Distributors, wholesalers, and retailers depend on computer-driven equipment to transport, deliver, store, display, and sell food products. Any interruption along this farm-to-fork chain can result in a direct loss to those who supply food. That can mean more expensive, less available food supplies ... Equipment with time-dependent embedded computer chips is vulnerable: harvesting equipment, milking machinery, grain elevators, plant and truck refrigeration systems, store and plant security systems, grocery and restaurant cash registers, telephones, gas and water facilities, and plant assembly lines... USDA "FOOD SUPPLY WORKING GROUP" - Feb '99 usda.gov ============================================= FEDS PLAN Y2K SPIN CONTROL Fears of Y2K panic have prompted the federal government to begin quietly preparing a media strategy designed to assuage public fears of blackouts or other potential infrastructure failures... wired.com ============================================= Jeff, All of these departments are working together to SPREAD AWARENESS of problem to those in the food supply chain. Eleven months to go ... and they're working together to SPREAD AWARENESS. This group was only created last quarter in D.C. If you're comfortable that everything is going to be fine. That's cool. Meanwhile, I encourage my family and friends to have at least 3 months of food & meds on hand. No one's buying bulk grain (including me). They're just buying extra quantities of what they normally eat. Good luck to you, Cheryl

To: Jeff Redman who wrote (3679)	2/5/1999 1:35:00 PM
From: flatsville	Respond to of 9818

Jeff--From someone who saw Glickman testify on CSPAN courtesy of csy2k. Maybe Glickman needs to think a little harder on those food to table connections and he'll feel more self-assured the next time someone asks him some difficult questions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I saw him testify this morning on CSPAN. I wouldn't be too pumped about this. Not only did he not sound like he had any idea what he was talking about, but he couldn't hardly respond when Bennett challenged him by questioning his optimism. Bennett pointed out that the figures the AG Secretary was using were based on self-evaluations and had nothing to do with honest expert third-party analysis. The food chain is in deep trouble. Don't let a spin doctor like Glickman tell you otherwise. Preston