Bird Flu

[Giant Communist Robot]

Hey! Where's the pandemic? I told you so!

[shostakovich]

It didn't stay the course.

[OperaTenor]

It cut & run and emboldened the terrorists.

[dai bread]

It's in the same place as the Y2K pan(dem)ic.

[BigJon]

Doomsdayers!

[piqaboo]

The bird flu inspired a lot of focussed research into the flu that will prove its usefulness down the line.

Without the advance y2k panic, it probably would have been as bad as people thought.

A little doomsaying can lead to preventing a lot of doomsday.

[dai bread]

The bird flu inspired a lot of focussed research into the flu that will prove its usefulness down the line.

Without the advance y2k panic, it probably would have been as bad as people thought.

A little doomsaying can lead to preventing a lot of doomsday.

True, Piq, but as regards Y2K, I heard of only one computer system crashing anywhere in the world, and that was somewhere in Central Africa.

[Giant Communist Robot]

I thought way too much was made of this in the media, but if scaring people furthers research, then---Boo!

[Shapley]

As long as we're on the subject, I'll post this:

My company, and some of our affiliates, requested that I draft a Y2K compliance letter. This is what I submitted:

*Rough Draft*

____________(Company Logo)____________
____(Address 1, Address 2)____
______(City, State, Zip)_____
____(Phone 1, Phone 2, Fax,)____
____(Web Address)____
______(date)_______

Mr./Mrs.____(name)________________
__________(company)______________
__________(address 1)______________
__________(address 2)______________
________(city, state, zip)____________

Dear __________________;

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the year 2000 preparedness issue. Please be assured that we at __(company)__ are very much aware of the potential this issue has for disrupting normal business operations, and we are working to ensure that our facility will be prepared for any potential problems that may occur.

We began testing and upgrading our computer systems for Y2K compliance several months ago, and have purchased new systems and software that are Y2K compliant. The new hardware is installed and online, and most of the software is in place. We fully expect to have all software installed in the next few weeks, and all data will be transferred to Y2K compliant software.

Full backups will be made of all critical data daily as we approach the Y2K deadline.

Large sums of cash have been converted to gold and silver, and is stored in safe locations near our facility.

A six month supply of food and water is on hand.

Our employees have been trained in Y2K preparedness, including the safe handling of munitions. Weekly Y2K training sessions are held at a nearby shooting range.

Sufficient small arms and ammunition are on hand for all employees and their immediate families, as well as a cache of higher calibre defensive equipment, should the communists or other undesirables attempt to take advantage of the chaos to overrun our beloved country.

With proper planning and a little luck, we can prevail in these dark hours. Remember, victory is dependent upon our willingness to commit 100% to overcoming the challenges of the Y2K situation, and we at __(Company)__ are fully committed to preserving our American way of life, and the purity of our precious bodily fluids.

Yours,

Jack D.Ripper
Y2K Compliance Officer

Of course, we had to make revisions to the final copy.....