I heard Gary North for the time ever last night. He was on Art Bell's show, and they did talk quite a bit about the banking industry.

What did intrigue me was something Gary North said about the NERC. Some electric companies are doing a joint test in April, and he was a little surprised the NERC allowed the following document to be seen.

This is a link to the orginal source in PDF format...

ftp://www.nerc.com/pub/sys/all_updl/docs/y2k/drill-preparation-strategies.pdf

Here's a link to some excerpts that are on Gary North's site:

http://www.garynorth.com/y2k/detail_.cfm/3898

And here are some snips I took out of the PDF strategy...

[snip]

Background:

The electric industry in North America is preparing to conduct a Y2K drill on April 9, 1999. The purpose of the drill is to prepare for operation with limited voice and data communications. A drill guide has been prepared defining the objectives and steps to prepare for and conduct the drill.

1. The April 9 drill is intended to install public confidence through success and at the same time be a real test of our ability to operate with limited communications capabilities. How can these two goals be balanced to provide the greatest value from the exercise?

* Start planning for it now

* Prior to drill, test system(s) that will be exercised during the drill.

* Document drill procedures.

* Identify system(s) to be drilled.

[snip]

* Verify that there are no real security issues during the time of the drill

[snip]

Individual companies who choose to should develop their own plans to notify and coordinate with their local media

[snip]

* Do not make the drill to complex. We want to have a successful and meaningful story for publication.

[snip]

* The drill should test partial loss of voice and data communications and partial loss of EMS functionality.

[snip]

* Do not overload communications channels with drill communications. Identify specific phone numbers that will be used during the drill.

[snip}

* Was NERC aware that April 9th is a real Y2K sensitive date? Answer: Yes, April 9th is the 99th day of 1999.

[snip]

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), February 20, 1999

Answers

An important snip I forgot to put in the last message...

[snip]

* What will the final report look like. Work backwards from this in the development of the drill procedures.

[snip]

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), February 20, 1999.

I listened to Art Bell 'n Scary Gary last night too.

This article shows utilities "how to" create a public positive Y2K report (spin) by working backwords on the potential panic problem.

How many ways can one spell "brainless twits?"

Diane *Big Sigh*

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), February 20, 1999.