Curious Parallel to the Year 2000 Computer Date Problem?

"Owing to past neglect, in the face of the plainest warnings, we have now entered upon a period of danger.... The era of procrastination, of half measures,... of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.... We cannot avoid this period; we are in it now.... Unless [... management] resolves to find out the truth for itself, it will have committed an act of abdication of duty without parallel."

• Winston Churchill, Nov. 12, 1936, during a House of Commons debate regarding national defenses. [Please note that in this quotation, the word "management" has been substituted for Churchill's words "this House."]

"There has been gross neglect and deficiency in our defenses.... We have sustained a defeat without a war, the consequences of which will travel far with us along our road.... This is only the beginning of the reckoning."

• Winston Churchill, Oct. 5, 1938, during the debate in the House of Commons regarding the ratification of the Munich Pact.

"It must be remembered that we are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history.... Many preparations have to be made."

• Winston Churchill, May 13, 1940, first speech after becoming prime minister on 5/10.

"The situation is a grave one ... and it would be a fatal error on our part not to acknowledge it. I try to get the facts, because unless you really face the facts you cannot overcome the difficulties.... There is a grave case for pulling ourselves together."

• David Lloyd George, May 7, 1940, during a House of Commons debate following the disastrous Norwegian campaign.

Compliments of Dr. Leon Kappelman: email kapp@unt.edu, phone 940-565-3110, fax 940-565-4935, url http://www.year2000.unt.edu/kappelma/