Are you a "Storm Stories" addict?

[MoonRiver]

Or am I the only one here? It's on the Weather Channel btw. The Weather Channel seems to be a pretty progressive station, at least as far as weather is concerned. They relate most of their reports about current extreme weather to the effects of global warming. They are actually very outspoken about the subject, and present factual data as well as examples, e.g. those documented in "Storm Stories", to support their premises.

[Skittles]

1. I think that's a good show

I never set out to watch it - just catch it while surfing and continue watching.

[MoonRiver]

2. I've found it to be a really good alternative to the MSM whores.

In fact I have learned a lot since turning off and tuning out those buffoons.

[Skittles]

7. my dad was a meteorologist and got me interested in weather

always amazing to watch Mother Nature in action, he would say

[Skink]

3. In the new issue of Improv magazine......

A writer asserts that the local on the 8's does more to promote Jazz than anything else. I love them.:smoke:

[jojo54]

4. Occasionally

but especially when they do stories on hurricanes. Hub and I were in Ft. Pierce Fl at my sister-in-laws for Jeanne. If there are any Floridians here, I'm not sure if the barrier island is North Beach or South. It's over what the locals call Big Jim bridge. Anyway, we stayed on the island thru the hurricane and it was scary as hell, especially when the upstairs ceiling started falling in.

Lots of damage 'cause both Frances and Jeanne hit at the same longitude and latitude in Ft Pierce. I feel for those people.

[Withywindle]

5. I'm a sucker for the weather porn

especially if it's smart, accurate weather porn.

[MoonRiver]

6. Me too. I draw the line at tornado chasing though.

But I have known some who engage in that.

[Withywindle]

9. I've always kind of wanted to...

...doubt it'll ever happen. I do like that footage, though.

[RoyGBiv]

8. Other ...

I have heard of it and have watched it, but I can't do so very often or I become irritated.

I respect most of what its producers do, such as highlighting the effects of climate change on weather systems, which you mentioned. (I use the phrase "climate change" because I believe it is more accurate, FWIW.) What I don't like is how they turn the very serious activity of field storm spotting into a dramatic adventure. A large number of the people you end up seeing on this show, with their dramatic footage, were, to be blunt, incompetent. They risk their lives unnecessarily, endanger other lives in the process, and make it harder for those who actually do this sort of thing for serious reasons to do their job well.

Of course it is not this show's fault alone by any means. Movies like that horrendous piece of garbage _Twister_ are by far a bigger problem. But, this show at times goes over the top and doesn't do enough, imo, to make clear that "storm chasing" is something few should ever do and that those who do do it should have some clue of how to go about it. As a public servant, I ran across one too many drunk "chasers" out for a thrill that I ended up having to pull out of a ditch just to keep them from drowning not to take issue with forms of popular entertainment that encourage this, either directly or indirectly.

If nothing else, the producers should stop paying people to bring them really good footage. That would cut down on a lot of the nonsense right there.

More in the spirit of what you were getting at, yeah, I must admit it is pretty good. I just had a rant come on. :-)

[MoonRiver]

13. You make good points. At least they often show the chasers

getting in trouble though. I also like the stories of rescuers (I think there's a special section of the program dedicated to rescuers, including canines :)) Many thanks to you for being one of those brave people!!

:toast:

[SemperEadem]

10. I'm a Law and Order addict

between TNT and USA, I flip back and forth for 3 hours straight... what a franchise that show is!

[sharonking21]

11. Has anyone read Isaac's Storm?

I enjoyed that book.

I watch Storm Stories when I can't bear another minute of cable news. I am scared to death of tornadoes; was born in OK city. I guess I love to torture myself. My son scornfully claims that I am such a nut about the weather that my favorite channel is NOAA--local weather radar. Just last Friday had a storm move through and break out my front windows with hail, wind, and gravel. I didn't notice it 'till I got out of the bathtub.

[MoonRiver]

12. Is Isaac's Storm about the 1900 Galveston hurricane?

[sharonking21]

14. Yes, it is (n/t)

[MoonRiver]

16. I would like to read it.

I've read an old but really wonderful book about the same storm. It's called One Weekend In September. You have to order it from a bookstore that sells out of print books, but it's well worth the effort.

[sharonking21]

19. One Weekend in September

Thanks, I'll be keeping an eye out for it when I go to used book stores. (The salve to my conscience about my profligate ways re: books is Half-Price Books).

[MoonRiver]

21. I love Half Price Books too. I'm glad they are becoming so successful n/t

[mandyky]

15. My 8 year old watches every night

and occassionally I watch with him.

[paineinthearse]

17. When did weather become political? NT

[sharonking21]

18. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Since multiple successive hurricanes hit Florida and they still failed to get the point?

[MoonRiver]

20. Actually, I mistakenly thought I was on the GD forum when I posted!

But the thread seems to be getting some action here anyway, so go figure! Maybe the weather IS political!

[unsavedtrash]

22. Come see

:hide: My city is a "storm story" in the tornado season.

[MoonRiver]

23. Yes, indeed. I've had a close call myself in KS.