Would the government tell us about an asteroid set to collide with earth?

[Renew Deal]

I have to wonder about this. I don't think they would. They would want to keep order as long as possible, and the possible end of the world is not something any government would want to deal with. On the other hand, I don't think they could keep a secret.

[AllentownJake]

1. They'd tell everyone the day of

After they secured their family and mistresses in bunkers, from the bunkers and would assure us, that the government would continue.

[NYC_SKP]

2. I'd probably just go ahead and take a personal day.

Why wait for them to "let me"? :silly:

[Renew Deal]

6. You gotta keep working for that health insurance

You're going to need it after the big day. :nuke:

[NYC_SKP]

18. Yeah, Emergency Rooms might be busy... nt

[Renew Deal]

3. Could they possibly keep the secret?

I bet someone would talk and the news would get out there.

[AllentownJake]

9. The media is going to go to the bunker to

Well at least the people who determine the on air programming, and seeing the number of news readers that happen to be young women with little talent but pretty faces, there is overlap with the mistress thing.

[yourout]

4. Tiger would need a whole stadium sized bunker.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Academia would spill the beans long before the government even knew of the impending disaster

[varelse]

7. But the deniers would keep everyone in doubt

:P

[Brother Buzz]

10. The deniers would only keep the doubters in doubt

:crazy:

[Renew Deal]

13. I agree

There would be "overwhelming proof" that the "overzealous amateurs" are just trying to get publicity.

[lunatica]

8. If there was a profit in it for them they sure would

And they would build themselves a self sustaining space station in record time. They would also sell tickets to the people on the space station to watch the asteroid destroy life on Earth. Front seat view of the End Times tied into the annihilation of humanity. Money would still rule because they have limited imagination.

[Bill McBlueState]

11. maybe not,

but amateur astronomers would.

[Fledermaus]

12. No!

[thecrow]

14. A few years ago, scientists discussed this point...

I forget where I read it... here?
Anyway...
Their consensus was that they would NOT TELL US!
They figured if the world was doomed, why should they upset the world order?

Makes ya wonder why they're looking to colonize the moon and searching for water, huh?

[Arkana]

15. Only Obama supporters.

[glinda]

16. They are telling us by all the rich asses money grabbing in hopes of a flight out.

[Octafish]

17. You got it. We'd get tipped off by all them helicopters heading for the redoubt in the Swiss Alps.

...Cheney's undisclosed location, just under his own personal Swiss bank.

[rucky]

19. Only to help companies sell asteroid insurance. n/t

[old mark]

20. They would debate about it, and by the time the debate was resolved,

we would all have been dead for a month.


mark

[HipChick]

21. Only 144,000 of us...the rest would be in rapture..

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

22. Since you couldn't evacuate anywhere anyway, what would be the harm

It would be a lot nicer to spend your last hours, minutes in your own nest with your own family and pets than in a cubicle or widget
plant or a traffic jam.

[Renew Deal]

23. I have a feeling that most people would panic

Rather than accept their fate.

[hunter]

24. They'd tell us it was just a small asteroid...

... and that buying compact fluorescents light bulbs and a car with good gas mileage might help.

[Iggo]

25. Too many people looking up.

Making a huuuuuuuuge assumption that all the paid scientists would keep their mouths shut, too many well equipped amateurs are watching the skies.

[superduperfarleft]

26. They'd go on TV and tell us that we need to give another billion to Citibank

in order to prevent the catastrophe.