Hurricane reporters WTF?

What the fuck is wrong with these people? Even more, what the fuck is wrong with the people who send them out there?

There's debris flying all around, trees are being snapped like twigs, and these people are sent out in their local affiliate's rain coat and asked to describe the bad weather, the whole time risking their lives.

Hurricane coming? Board up your house, and send out your local weatherman.

[Edited on Jul 11, 2005 by crispy]

It's not as bad as it looks.

I just saw a thing on the news where there were huge chunks of aluminum siding and parts of billboards flying through the air ... and the dude almost got swept away by the wind.

The whole time I'm thinking, "Just go inside, asshole!!"

Am I the only person who finds no fun in watching a hurricane on CNN?

ya those people and reporters standing in the middle of the war with bullets flying all around "all to get information to the people" its bullshit, its to get yourself the report that will get you the prestigious award or some other fame. Its all silly and selfish...I mean it does give us a good laugh.

Was thinking the same thing yesterday when I saw this reporter trying to yell loud enough to be heard over the wind roar, while holding onto a steel post with one hand so he didn't get blown out of camera range.

Anybody remember the old "Wild Kingdom" TV show, where Marlin Perkins would sit in the studio while his assistant "Stan" did all the insane stuff that would possibly get himself killed by some critter?

I think all these weather reporters are "Stans."

Two the weatherman covering a hurricane is a rite of passage. By going out into the hellish storm clad only in the ritual vestments of the news station a weatherman demonstrates his commitment to the tribe, and also his faith in the prescience of the weatherman elders. Upon returning from his hurricane ordeal a weatherman is welcomed as an adult, and a full member of the tribe.

And is given his choice of virgins.

I think it was Jim ... Jim Fowler, I believe ... I don't know why I know that.

do we really need coverage of a hurricane? can we not assume its all sideways rain and debris?

Jim was one of the guys, I do remember that... maybe something ate Stan...

clearly none of you northerners or westerners have ever experienced the sublime joy on running along a beach through intense gale force winds

Seriously.

Marlin perkins was the first host

Jim Fowler was the 2nd host

That made me smile.

we get gale force winds, but not hurricanes. and we have the sense not to go out when we might get hit by a flying Buick.

but I'll prolly wind up surfing my state into the sea after we have a "big one" (earthquake) someday.

It's not a day at the beach unless you can sit huddled in a sand dugout watching ten foot waves slam into the shore while the sky overhead is nearly black and rain drops the size of marbles are scourging the earth all around you. Lightning is likewise mandatory.

Do you remember the Flintstones episode where Fred considers driving a dynamite truck instead of working in the quarry because it would pay better?

Perhaps reporting on Hurricanes has a similar danger pay?

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

Yeah, I know I dated myself with the analogy, but Flintstones reruns may still be on TV.

Or would you rather have me make the Iraq War battle pay analogy and then rant about Bush and the Iraq War again?

It happens a lot in Florida minus the waves of course. Lightning is a bitch..I got knock down from the shockwaves twice...so I don't know what the hell is the fun behind it.

Also wanted to add...if it is a fox weather reporter out in the hurricane..do you really have a problem with that?

I could see that turning into a fun sort of dead pool game.

"Okay, Bill, I've got five dollars on 'Squished by a windblown condominium'."

"Okay, that's Mark with five on Condo, Terrence has twenty bucks on 'Terminal Trauma of the Cranium by Pelican, and Bruce just laid a ten-spot on Lost at Sea. We've got Larry rounding it out with a nickel and a rubber band on 'Makes it home alive', so let the games begin!"

The Rooster would approve.

"No," we said, "It's a shithole, let the Spanish keep it." But you just had to have your fucking orange juice.

John Stewart should have fun with this tomorrow night.....

There must be a certain excitement level to it as well.
It would be pretty exciting to stand on the streets in New Orleans and watch as waves crest 10 feet higher than the levee and innudate the city, submerging an entire metropolis. Especially if it wasn't your homes and livelihood being destroyed and you could go home at the end of the day to your nice safe, intact, city.