The good, the bad and the drama

Subject: The good, the bad and the drama Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:33 am

The lead-up to Gustav hitting the Gulf was a media blitz. It was called, “The mother of all storms.” Anticipation of disaster mobilized multiple agencies and got the politicians involved – big time. This morning when I heard the news, the reporters sounded apologetic. It didn’t perform as expected. “Although Gustav was downgraded to a tropical storm, there are still 7 deaths attributed to the storm, etc., etc.”

It compares to the hype of a sports team. And then when the team doesn’t
perform as expected, comes the excuses and justifications. “Even though they didn’t get the number of goals (or ribbons) expected, they still made a respectable showing.”

Creating danger to benefit a politician or a political party happened and it continues. The most recent situation in Georgia is an example. Everyone gets caught up in the drama of an bad event whether it is real, fabricated or imagined, and clever people use it for gain.

And that’s the way it is.
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Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:54 pm

I think they're trying to convince us that they're ready for the big one. The government seriously underreacted after Katrina, so now they're overreacting. I think the government and FEMA are just trying to rebuild their reputations, and prehapse, give a boost to the unpopular Bush administration.

Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:19 pm

I still get a laugh from those crazy weather team members...you know, the ones rushing to be in the center of the storm, hanging on to a pole, or lashed to something solid, while they shout into a mic.

um...what part of evacuate don't you people get? Rolling Eyes

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Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:06 am

Rhett,
they'll do anything to dramatize their stories. When I see that, I turn them off - literally.
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Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:55 pm

TV weather people are funny ...

I will never forget the year (waaaaay back when) when all three (ABC, CBS, NBC) weather guys were the parade marshalls for "Bucc pirate

aneer Days".

All three forecast perfect, beautiful parade weather.

It rained. Hard.

As they rode along in the parade ... in the open convertible ... they got drenched!!!!!

They actually were abel to laugh at themselves. Shocked

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Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:14 pm

I agree with Gordon.
Computerized equipment has made the forecasts more accurate but they still get fooled once in a while. Those poor guys who get sent out in the storms and have to hold on for dear life have been ordered to do so and don't have any say in the matter. For them it's a case of do it or hit the unemployment line. Their bosses should know better. Imagine what its like for the cameramen with all their equipment to hold onto. Reminds me of the days when I was sent out to cover fires or storms and live wires were lying all over the ground. You had to step lively.
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Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:44 am

It does get to be tough to know when to take a weather warning seriously -- for me I've been involved in enough storms to know that I have to be prepared. I'd rather be over ready than taken by surprise, and I'm inclined to think the evauation order was a good idea. I am pretty sure that if they had not suggested an evacuation, people would have been ticked off then too. I'm sure glad that I'm not a weather forecaster! We're expecting to reap the end pieces of tropical storm Holly coming through here with fierce winds etc., Saturday evening, so we're stocked up and will be ready!
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Pam Robertson

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Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:28 am

Boy Scouts motto: "Always be prepared."

It is the drama, the sensationalism, the hype, whatever one wants to call it, that moves people to action. Being disappointed that the event didn't live up to expectations does more harm than good.
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Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:01 am

Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:26 am

My daughter lives in Norfolk, near the outer banks, where Hannah is scheduled by the weekend.

I was glad Gustave didn't turn out worse than it was. Have we forgotten 3000 people died in Katrina?

Last November I saw a wonderful I-Max called "Hurricane on the Bijou." It told about how humans had changed the environment and taken away the natural buffers previously there. It was narrated by a young musician who wanted to do something about the wetlands. In the middle of production, Katrina hit, and it told the story of her family evacuation, and the aftermath of those in her family.

The people were blessed Gustave wasn't worse.

Carol

Subject: Re: The good, the bad and the drama Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:03 am

Carol, that is well said. I am amazed at the number of places we lives nowadays where even just 100 years ago the natives stayed away from - places prone to the ravages of nature. We're silly creatures continuing to build in such outlandish ways. Somewhere I saw a picture of neighbourhoods in Dubai that are all stuck out on manmande "roads" into the ocean so everyone has an ocean view. I shake my head.

Hanna arrives here tomorrow afternoon. We'll see what happens!
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