News, Many Dutch prepare for 2012 apocalypse. (credit card, student loans, homes)

[John1960]

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, June 23 (UPI) -- Thousands of people in the Netherlands say they expect the world to end in 2012, and many say they are taking precautions to prepare for the apocalypse.

The Dutch-language de Volkskrant newspaper said it spoke to thousands of believers in the impending end of civilization, and while theories on the supposed catastrophe varied, most tied the 2012 date to the end of the Mayan calendar, Radio Netherlands reported Monday.

Many Dutch prepare for 2012 apocalypse - UPI.com

[NightBazaar]

"De Volkskrant said many of those interviewed are stocking up on emergency supplies, including life rafts and other equipment."

If it's going to be the end of the world, how is stocking up on emergency supplies going to help?

Seeing how they won't be needing it, any good giveaways on land and homes there? In fact, I'd be more than happy to accept any sizable amounts of cash and diamonds as well. No need for anyone to feel burdened with such meaningless stuff.

[hj2500]

According to their calender a galactic new year will happen at the end of 2012. The Mayans didn't count past this date, and that is why people think it will be the end. The Mayans and other civilizations that specify that date do not specify that it is the end of the world.

Maybe the Mayans thought they wouldn't make to 2012, and they were right. The world will not end because it has been around for billions of years and galactic new years happen every 26,000 years. A lot happens in 26,000 years, we would have detected the end of the world if it were going to happen 4 years from now.

Scientists currently think the planet will support life for another 500 million years.

[J Arp]

Maybe the whole Mayan thing is right, but I bet if we go out we're going out in style:

SPACE.com -- Asteroid Apophis: Dealing with Earth's Future Troublemaker

99942 Apophis (2004 MN4) Impact Risk

Here is the big list of near earth objects NASA has observed:

Current Impact Risks

[norcalmom101]

Didn't the world already end?

[hj2500]

In a certain sense it has ended many times before.

[chispirit]

The Mayans wanted to give us a bit of excitement in our boring existens ....LOL

[northsider]

According to the calender on my wall the world ends at midnight on 31st Dec 2008. Next page is blank!

[fjtee]

Well, let's look on the bright side.

Northsider, if you stop paying all your bills (what's the point? the world's gonna end?), then you should have lots of cash to wildly spend for the next 6 months. Just think of the fun?

For those believing the end is 2012, well, you'll want to keep your electricity humming, but student loans, shmudent loans. Credit card bills, shmedit card bills. Run 'em up as high as possible. Why bother paying anyone back when we're all gonna be gone soon, anyway.

I think I'm going to go buy myself a nice yacht now. See ya!

[pirate_lafitte]

We do not known when the end of the world will come. Not even Jesus knows. I wish people would quit trying to predict the end.