Below is the comment / rant / vent I posted as a reply to an article on Yahoo News... this had been on my mind all day... upon seeing the headline: "Did media go overboard hyping Hurricane Irene?" made me angry! Please keep in mind the following is only my opinion.
(For a moment, I thought I'd turn off the "allow replies"... but then I realized, it would be kind of hypocritical of me, not allowing any of you to voice your opinion, as well.)
I will say this... YES, sometimes they (the media) can go overboard... However.... (well, read what I said.) ;)
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ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! I think they DID THEIR JOB!!!!
Even though there was loss of life (very unfortunate!) Just think at how much MORE it could have been, had there NOT been the hype!!
It's like the saying goes: "PREPARE FOR THE WORST & HOPE FOR THE BEST!!"
That's what the media (like The Weather Channel! (TWC)) is there for (during storms like this!)... to prepare us for THE WORST!!!
Now most might night think Hurricane Irene was bad... but ask that of those who lost their homes to flood damage... or those who have lost a loved one!!!
YES, it did need to be covered while it was even still in the Bahamas!! How else are we to get prepared!!
The person who said... "I don't think we needed 24/7 reporting of the storm, especially when it was in N.C. & Virginia."... Needs to realize they were doing THEIR JOBS!!! If you don't live in the area being effected OR about to... then change the channel!!
Sorry, but I'm tired of hearing everyone saying this was not worth it... If you don't think so... then ask the people who evacuated & now do not have a home to go to! Think of them!! They could have lost their life if they did not evacuate!!
ALSO, remember what TODAY is... it's the 6th anniversary of Katrina!!
While I'm typing this, I have TWC on & am seeing an image of one of those famous 100's year old covered bridges in VT be swept away by the flood waters! 1st, think of that HISTORY that is gone! Now think of what would have happened IF the media had NOT warned of the impending flooding problems in those areas... imagine the how many would have possibly been driving around that area to see a bit of history.
Now, think of HOW MANY people live in NYC and HOW MANY tourists use the Staten Island Ferry... had their not been all this "hype"... then the mayor might not have closed the Ferry & think of the loss of life then! NOT TO MENTION how many would have been swept away in the waves that were hitting Battery Park.
Do you all get it now??? Do I need to give more examples???
In this instance... I AM WITH THE MEDIA!!! Like I said... if you don't like what you're watching... then either change the channel!!! In this day & age, there are hundreds to chose from! OR just plain turn it off!!!
Worried about missing a show... well, then... look on the internet to see when it will be replayed... for I'm sure the majority of the networks would do it.
Besides, 1. it's Summer, all the network shows are in re-runs. 2. I know ABC said that if your local station went to Hurricane coverage, instead of the Nascar race, that they'll air it on another channel & they'd let you know. I don't know if that happened, because my station didn't have to break away.
What I do know, is... I'm thankful for the reporters risking THEIR life to save OUR life!!!
Sorry if this upsets you... but all the above is strictly MY opinion and it has been festering for awhile.... so, don't take it personally... I'm just venting! Thank you & have a good day / night!
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Again, the above was just me venting, because I saw a BUNCH of replies all up in arms because of all the coverage.
Let me put it one more way... if you were in the path of Irene... do you think the coverage was too much hype??
When I say the path... I mean those who were hit hard, not just with the hurricane force winds... but also all the rain, which led to so much flooding!!
P.S. The photo is of Hurricane Irene! From Twitter.
to add to my thoughts above... I just posted this on Facebook....
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Dr. Rick Knabb (of TWC) said "You can never forecast the intensity of the storm... so you have to give or take at least 1 category level. However, the path forecast is getting better with each year!" (Well, not exactly that... but fairly close to what he said!
The National Hurricane Center started off saying Irene might have been a Cat 3 or 4 when it arrived to the states. She made 1st landfall as a Cat 1... but gusts were Cat 2! (over 100 mph!)
You have to remember, the level is based upon the highest sustained winds. (Which typically are around the eye.)
ANOTHER reason I don't feel the hype was over done... was because of the other effects Irene brought... TORNADOES and FLOODING!!!
Look at those who live on Cape Hatteras, NC... if they did NOT evacuate, they're stuck without access to the mainland, without a boat! If they DID, then they can't get home... without a boat... because the main road is GONE!!!
So, think about those who might have been on that road, had they not called for an evacuation ahead of time!!! Think of that loss of life toll!!
Speaking of... I just saw that 35 people have died in connection with Irene!! ALL in the United States, where she was a Cat 1... NONE in the Bahamas where she made landfall as a high end Cat 3!!
Think of how much more it would have been had their NOT been all the "hype"!!!
(ok, I better stop now... this really is a touch subject for all, I'm sure!!)
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So, NOW do you see where I'm coming from with my opinion???!!!!
Hype = Too much information on a subject that is not useful, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThis however is necessary information, as you say so many more lives would have been lost if it weren't for the warnings. Actually this is not hype, it's a warning.
As you say, if people don't want to watch that kind of thing, then they can change the channel.
As you may be able to tell, I agree with you. :)
*Hugs*
I don't think there was too much "hype", although I do think we were a bit over-prepared where I live since we're so far from the ocean. I think the mayor of NY and others did what they had to do to keep their people safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies!! I really appreciate the "back up" on this one! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm only backing you up 'cos you're right you know. :)
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