Happy July 4th & comments on waves and controversy

First of all.. Happy July 4th!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day!

Seriously... hope you all have a wonderful day spent with those you love the most.
I'm here with a few friends and my kids (grown kids) making a big BBQ and party in the backyard. Well..weather permitting or we bbq inside and shoot off all their fireworks between rainstorms. So far no rain but the forecast has it raining by now. Hoping it's a busted forecast. Maybe the rain in the bahamas some are watching as a possible system pulled in some of our rain? We can only hope..

Went to breakfast with two of my sons.. eggs, grits, whole wheat toast and strawberry jam!! so good.


As for the storm of controversy at the NHC or about the NHC.. let me say this..

I think that NOAA handled the whole thing badly, from start to finish.

First off.. bringing in someone from the outside ..from their NWS was not a popular decision among the old guard at the NHC who thought maybe Franklin or Rappaport or someone else might get the job. Mayfield was brought up from the ranks. I was surprised, not happy either but have come to respect Proenza a lot and would like to see him do this season and everyone can re-evaluate later whether they are happy with subtle changes he made and whether he is or isn't allowed to speak his mind freely and openly.

I think NOAA underestimated the public's reaction and overestimates their importance in matters. And.... this being a political year when many candidates..especially democratic ones are looking for big issues to talk on I would think that this might be an unpopular hot potato.

Doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that if this sat was doing secret military surveillance in IRAQ that it would be properly funded and have a replacement ready to go.

When the needs of the people, the general public take a backseat to the needs of the military establishment during a time when many do not happily support the continued war in Iraq MAY comeback to bite them badly.

After two killer seasons of 2004 and 2005 and lots of promises of money to be given for hurricane research and other environmental problems they have all been back burnered and forgotten about.

It really is a crime on some level that the needs of the people of New Orleans were not properly addressed when every geology and meteorology and history student around KNEW from government studies that thousands would be killed. This was high priority and yet.... no one did anything. We found money to invade a few countries, put together a massive Homeland Security agency and yet... we have not done much when it comes to the needs of people living in hurricane coastal regions.. except after the fact have government discussion of what went wrong, more committees, more senate hearings that cost money... etc.

So.... maybe they should have just let the sore heal a little as they say. Not come in with the big boys doing inspections and interviewing every forecaster who has issues with the original decision of his appointment... maybe they just should have let it rest. Before some candidate or other politician uses the lack of funds for the NHC and other agencies in a time when funds are being channeled into an unpopular war.

Just my opinion.. let it go, let them work and don't let everyone air their dirty laundry. Do we really need to know Avilla is afraid to go to his local Publix where people will ask him if the NHC can track storms or not? Personally, I think the guys at Publix are just having fun with him.. teasing him... And, I am sure they will be able to track storms... issue warnings, etc...

But... there is a bigger issue here that has now been highlighted?

What are our priorities?
Money only goes so far... if you put it in one place there isn't enough to go to the other.

What does the public feel about funding for agencies like the NHC and NOAA?
Do they just assume that when a satellite breaks a new one is sent up to replace it?

This highlights a whole lot more than whether or not directors of the NHC should be allowed to give their personal opinons while working for the government.

So... something to think on... and again, however you feel about this write your local politicians. Wasserman down here is beginning to get involved, a lot more people will before this is over trust me.

Oh..............and the wave is still wandering westward trying to maintain enough convection to get a designation.

Happy July 4th.. very happy to be an American and Love the USA!

and..Redsox winning so far... watching with my son.