What's going to happen on June 19th? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ASU2003 · 06-04-2006, 10:38 AM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...060201410.html

Quote:

BACK TO THE BUNKER

By William M. Arkin
Sunday, June 4, 2006; Page B01

On Monday, June 19, about 4,000 government workers representing more than 50 federal agencies from the State Department to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission will say goodbye to their families and set off for dozens of classified emergency facilities stretching from the Maryland and Virginia suburbs to the foothills of the Alleghenies. They will take to the bunkers in an "evacuation" that my sources describe as the largest "continuity of government" exercise ever conducted, a drill intended to prepare the U.S. government for an event even more catastrophic than the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The exercise is the latest manifestation of an obsession with government survival that has been a hallmark of the Bush administration since 9/11, a focus of enormous and often absurd time, money and effort that has come to echo the worst follies of the Cold War. The vast secret operation has updated the duck-and-cover scenarios of the 1950s with state-of-the-art technology -- alerts and updates delivered by pager and PDA, wireless priority service, video teleconferencing, remote backups -- to ensure that "essential" government functions continue undisrupted should a terrorist's nuclear bomb go off in downtown Washington.

...

So, is this really just a test?

Yes, I'm being a little (or a lot) paranoid here. But, if an asteroid was going to hit (one came pretty close last month), an attack on a country using nuclear weapons, or any other known event was going to happen in a few weeks, this would be the perfect cover story. The general population wouldn't be following the congressmen, the aids wouldn't try to get into the bunkers, the media wouldn't care, and normal people would just go on with their lives. Until the doors are locked and the major devistation takes place outside.

Gatorade Frost · 06-04-2006, 11:06 AM

All I know is that I'll be turning 19.

Is that article an editorial? It loses a lot of credibility with statements like:

Quote:

The exercise is the latest manifestation of an obsession with government survival that has been a hallmark of the Bush administration since 9/11, a focus of enormous and often absurd time, money and effort that has come to echo the worst follies of the Cold War. The vast secret operation has updated the duck-and-cover scenarios of the 1950s with state-of-the-art technology -- alerts and updates delivered by pager and PDA, wireless priority service, video teleconferencing, remote backups -- to ensure that "essential" government functions continue undisrupted should a terrorist's nuclear bomb go off in downtown Washington.

It sounds like the person's bitching that the government wants to keep the government going in crisis and they're practicing for it.

Eowyn_Vala · 06-04-2006, 11:30 AM

Heh, it does sound a bit like someone just complaining. But that's my birthday! So hopefully nothing does happen!

macmanmike6100 · 06-05-2006, 02:21 AM

Just be patient, I suppose. Purely from a selfish perspective, if something drastic happened then I'd be quite upset, as I'm scheduled to return to the US about a month after that.

Sticky · 06-05-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatorade Frost

All I know is that I'll be turning 19.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eowyn_Vala

But that's my birthday! So hopefully nothing does happen!

What's with people born on June 19th and paranoia?

Lwang9276 · 06-05-2006, 03:08 PM

ahahah... dang the days coming up only 15 days to go...

Charlatan · 06-05-2006, 04:04 PM

...and tomorrow is 6/6/6.

Gatorade Frost · 06-06-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sticky

What's with people born on June 19th and paranoia?

Unfortunately you're not classified for that information...

Lady Sage · 06-09-2006, 05:40 AM

Whats gonna happen is gonna happen. Not a darn thing I can do about it, so I figure worse comes to worse... I can roast some weenies over a radioactive mass and go back to the old days of livin off the land. Having a plan is always best even if "it'll never happen".
I do, however, believe that is just like our government to be informed of the impending doom of the country and not say a word... heck they have left us in the dark before.

Bill O'Rights · 06-09-2006, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Sage

I do, however, believe that is just like our government to be informed of the impending doom of the country and not say a word... heck they have left us in the dark before.

As opposed to releasing to the media evidence that an asteroid the size of Texas is going to smash into the eastern seaboard at exactly 12:57 EST, on June 19, 2006? I see absolutely no problem with getting that information out there. People, of course, can be relied upon to maintain civil order when faced with imminent destruction. Plus...it gives 'em time to update their last will & testament.

Oh...wait a minute...

In all seriousness...what would you have them do? Would you really even want to know?

Lady Sage · 06-09-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

In all seriousness...what would you have them do? Would you really even want to know?

Yes I would. I could then perhaps prepare for just in case I survived and say some final goodbyes and maybe do a few things I always wanted to and thought I had plenty of time to do. But thats just me

Bill O'Rights · 06-12-2006, 04:08 AM

It could just be my pessimistic view on the animalistic nature of mankind in general, but I believe that the mass panic, hysteria, anarchy and chaos, that would accompany with such an announcement, would preclude you from having the opportunity to say some final goodbyes and maybe do a few of the things you always wanted to and thought you had plenty of time to do.

Imagine New Orleans...multiplied a couple of thousand fold. We'll have destroyed ourselves long before the proverbial asteroid ever would.

Lady Sage · 06-12-2006, 04:40 AM

We shall destroy our planet and everyone on it long before nature ever will anyway *smile* ahhhhh the human way.

Charlatan · 06-12-2006, 07:56 AM

The only reason I would want to know if something like this was going to happen would be so that I could get as close to ground zero as possible.

I wouldn't want to live in the aftermath.

pan6467 · 06-12-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

The only reason I would want to know if something like this was going to happen would be so that I could get as close to ground zero as possible.

I wouldn't want to live in the aftermath.

Amen brother.

As for June 19th....... one week from today.... well, based on the article being the only source that anything is even happening, I think I'll wait and see before I get hysterical..... kinda like 12/31/99-01/01/00 that was impending doom there, 6/6/06 was going to be impending doom, among others in my lifetime.... lived through them all I did..... I guess one of these times some doomsdayer will be right and I'll die.

I mean after all, it's like a very sad movie, a depressing book or even someone's individual life.... you know there's an ending, you can keep guessing and saying it's coming and that it is going to be awful and horrid and people will suffer...... well DUH!!!!!!! Eventually, you're right I guess. Course we'll not look at the 1,000's of times you predicted endings and they didn't happen.

(And by you, I in no way am inferring to any particular you in this paranoid forum.... well maybe I am referring to that one you, and of course you know who you are

)

Martian · 06-12-2006, 09:27 PM

Nothing's happening on June 18th. Everyone knows the world will end on July 5th.

The rupture is coming.

Ample · 06-13-2006, 04:56 AM

At least we will be able to shoot off our fireworks first.

3Z3VH · 06-14-2006, 09:37 AM

Well, I work for the government and I have a clearance (that I am not allowed to tell you the level of) and I can assure you, I have not heard even a hint of anything like this happening then, or any time in the future.

Redlemon · 06-14-2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

Nothing's happening on June 18th. Everyone knows the world will end on July 5th.

The rupture is coming.

Oh, cool, so the ninth time is the charm? Good to know, gotta go prepare.

Bill O'Rights · 06-14-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Z3VH

I work for the government

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Z3VH

I can assure you

Riiiiight.

ASU2003 · 06-14-2006, 07:21 PM

I would take a wild guess and say since only about 4,000 people are going to be taking part in the drill, that no one that high up in the government or military would be posting here. They want to keep it secret from their co-workers so they don't leak it or do something crazy. They also don't want hurds of people trying to get into the bunkers with them.

Zeraph · 06-15-2006, 12:43 PM

I'd want to know so I could play REM's end of the world as it's happening.

warrrreagl · 06-16-2006, 05:38 AM

Well, for anybody who didn't read Stephen King's Dark Tower series, June 19 was the day that all of the various worlds in the multiverses hinged together. June 19, 1999 was also the day King was hit and nearly killed by a van, and the number 19 is a magical, mystical number throughout many of the volumes.

xepherys · 06-19-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Z3VH

Well, I work for the government and I have a clearance (that I am not allowed to tell you the level of) and I can assure you, I have not heard even a hint of anything like this happening then, or any time in the future.

Something above TS/SCI SI/Q? If not, you aren't (at least in the military) prohibited from making note of it, that I am aware. Anything above, I'm concerned to see you here. In fact, you've never seen me. I don't exist! And, uhm... neither do you! Now shoo! :-p

I filed paperwork for my SSBI, but changed MOS before I needed the clearance, so I never had to go through the hoops. It's pretty impressive!

Oh, also... it's 19.June now and I've not heard or seen anything? Doesn't bad stuff usually happen in the morning?

Charlatan · 06-19-2006, 10:07 AM

Why do people assume it will happen today? The article says they will be leaving their families today (June 19th)... I would think that these folks would be given a day of travel to get to their destinations.

I would say if something is going to go down it isn't going to happen until tomorrow at the soonest.

Bill O'Rights · 06-19-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xepherys

Something above TS/SCI SI/Q? If not, you aren't (at least in the military) prohibited from making note of it

I was going to question that earlier. But...It's been quite a while since I was active duty Air Force, and carried a TS SIOP/ESI clearance. Things change. So...I left it alone.

TexanAvenger · 06-19-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

I was going to question that earlier. But...It's been quite a while since I was active duty Air Force, and carried a TS SIOP/ESI clearance. Things change. So...I left it alone.

Been a while since he carried it because it fell out of his pocket when he was doing that "hang from the building by an arm and a leg" thing.

sapiens · 06-19-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

Nothing's happening on June 18th. Everyone knows the world will end on July 5th.

The rupture is coming.

The rupture? Your spleen or mine? Or maybe a dike?

(Kidding)

Lady Sage · 06-19-2006, 04:59 PM

I can neither confirm nor deny the validity or lack thereof of the aforementioned statement.

That is the proper way to put it hahaha.
We are all still here (sanity not included) therefore life is good.

Gilda · 06-19-2006, 05:23 PM

It's a drill. As much as I think the Bush administration has been a complete disaster, and I find their policies and execution range from incompetent to abusive, I can't fault them for this. Having a drill to practice emergency procedures is just good common sense.

Gilda

ASU2003 · 06-19-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilda

It's a drill. As much as I think the Bush administration has been a complete disaster, and I find their policies and execution range from incompetent to abusive, I can't fault them for this. Having a drill to practice emergency procedures is just good common sense.

Gilda

I guess it was just a drill, and I don't blame the government for testing it out. But let's see what would happen in a real situation where their families would die, aids would try and sneak in, and even the military guards would have to kill people trying to get in, only to die because they weren't allowed in. And throw in the chaos of trying to find everyone, and hope that they could all make it to the bunker in time.

That is why I thought the idea of a 'drill' would be the perfect cover story. They might learn the truth once they are inside with the doors shut, but a lot of them wouldn't have said goodbye to their families and massive amounts of people would try to follow them to sneak inside.

I was just waiting for North Korea to launch that missile into California today... I know that we would have responded, but I'm not sure if a certain other unnamed country would attack us.

NoSoup · 06-19-2006, 11:09 PM

Nothing will happen, apparently

Willravel · 06-20-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSoup

Nothing will happen, apparently

Unless it was covered up already!!!!

troit · 06-21-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

Unless it was covered up already!!!!

My thoughts exactly!!

Martian · 06-22-2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

Oh, cool, so the ninth time is the charm? Good to know, gotta go prepare.

No, see, the calender is wrong. Everyone knows that. But this year is really the year. Or maybe next year. Or possibly the year after that.

Either way the rupture is definitely coming and there's no way I'm missing out on the alien sex goddesses.

06-04-2006, 11:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Eowyn_Vala Insane Location: There's no place like home..	Heh, it does sound a bit like someone just complaining. But that's my birthday! So hopefully nothing does happen! __________________ Cain: I know what you're doing. I've lead troops into battle before. DG: And, how am I doing? Cain: Well, there's less hugging when I do it

06-05-2006, 04:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	...and tomorrow is 6/6/6. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

06-12-2006, 04:08 AM	#12 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	It could just be my pessimistic view on the animalistic nature of mankind in general, but I believe that the mass panic, hysteria, anarchy and chaos, that would accompany with such an announcement, would preclude you from having the opportunity to say some final goodbyes and maybe do a few of the things you always wanted to and thought you had plenty of time to do. Imagine New Orleans...multiplied a couple of thousand fold. We'll have destroyed ourselves long before the proverbial asteroid ever would. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

06-12-2006, 07:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	The only reason I would want to know if something like this was going to happen would be so that I could get as close to ground zero as possible. I wouldn't want to live in the aftermath. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

06-12-2006, 09:27 PM	#16 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Nothing's happening on June 18th. Everyone knows the world will end on July 5th. The rupture is coming. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

06-05-2006, 02:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
macmanmike6100 High Honorary Junkie Location: Tri-state.	Just be patient, I suppose. Purely from a selfish perspective, if something drastic happened then I'd be quite upset, as I'm scheduled to return to the US about a month after that.

06-05-2006, 03:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lwang9276 Crazy	ahahah... dang the days coming up only 15 days to go...

06-09-2006, 05:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lady Sage Mistress of Mayhem Location: Canton, Ohio	Whats gonna happen is gonna happen. Not a darn thing I can do about it, so I figure worse comes to worse... I can roast some weenies over a radioactive mass and go back to the old days of livin off the land. Having a plan is always best even if "it'll never happen". I do, however, believe that is just like our government to be informed of the impending doom of the country and not say a word... heck they have left us in the dark before.

06-12-2006, 04:40 AM	#13 (permalink)
Lady Sage Mistress of Mayhem Location: Canton, Ohio	We shall destroy our planet and everyone on it long before nature ever will anyway smile ahhhhh the human way.

06-13-2006, 04:56 AM	#17 (permalink)
Ample Psycho Location: In your closet	At least we will be able to shoot off our fireworks first.

06-14-2006, 09:37 AM	#18 (permalink)
3Z3VH Tilted	Well, I work for the government and I have a clearance (that I am not allowed to tell you the level of) and I can assure you, I have not heard even a hint of anything like this happening then, or any time in the future.

06-14-2006, 07:21 PM	#21 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	I would take a wild guess and say since only about 4,000 people are going to be taking part in the drill, that no one that high up in the government or military would be posting here. They want to keep it secret from their co-workers so they don't leak it or do something crazy. They also don't want hurds of people trying to get into the bunkers with them.

06-15-2006, 12:43 PM	#22 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	I'd want to know so I could play REM's end of the world as it's happening.

06-16-2006, 05:38 AM	#23 (permalink)
warrrreagl pinche vato Location: backwater, Third World, land of cotton	Well, for anybody who didn't read Stephen King's Dark Tower series, June 19 was the day that all of the various worlds in the multiverses hinged together. June 19, 1999 was also the day King was hit and nearly killed by a van, and the number 19 is a magical, mystical number throughout many of the volumes. __________________ Living is easy with eyes closed.

06-19-2006, 10:07 AM	#25 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Why do people assume it will happen today? The article says they will be leaving their families today (June 19th)... I would think that these folks would be given a day of travel to get to their destinations. I would say if something is going to go down it isn't going to happen until tomorrow at the soonest. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

06-19-2006, 04:59 PM	#29 (permalink)
Lady Sage Mistress of Mayhem Location: Canton, Ohio	I can neither confirm nor deny the validity or lack thereof of the aforementioned statement. That is the proper way to put it hahaha. We are all still here (sanity not included) therefore life is good.

06-19-2006, 05:23 PM	#30 (permalink)
Gilda 32 flavors and then some Location: Out on a wire.	It's a drill. As much as I think the Bush administration has been a complete disaster, and I find their policies and execution range from incompetent to abusive, I can't fault them for this. Having a drill to practice emergency procedures is just good common sense. Gilda

06-19-2006, 11:09 PM	#32 (permalink)
NoSoup Non-Rookie Location: Green Bay, WI	Nothing will happen, apparently __________________ I have an aura of reliability and good judgement. Just in case you were wondering...