Hurricane 'Imbecile'

Just like clockwork, with the hurricanes come the knuckleheaded TV reporters who are out there in the thick of it to demonstrate that it's really windy and rainy out. In television parlance it's called a 'stand-up' and the challenge in this particular secnario it's a struggle to do just that. It's usually the low man on the totem pole who draws this assignment, though Anderson Cooper seems to be drawing that straw for CNN lately.  I was watching CNN on Sunday and Cooper was out during the brunt of Dennis remarking "I've never seen anything like this before", and "look at that Ramada Inn sign, that sign was up on that pole ten minutes ago" and "look out for that aluminum!", then a a piece of aluminum siding the size of a Cadillac flew past and sent Anderson and the crew ducking for cover.

I wouldn't ever advocate the death of an innocent human being, but when (not if, when) a reporter or cameraperson is killed from flying debris from hurricane-force winds, it will be a perfect example of natural selection. Then and only then will this ridiculous practice of sending reporters out in the field during hurricanes be stopped. Until that happens, enjoy the show and try to keep from laughing, because it is pretty damn funny to watch.

Editor's Note: If you read today's Sun Times and felt that my pal Richard Roper's column seemed a tad familiar, please note that I wrote and posted this just after Midnight, four hours before the Times hit the streets, obviously we both relished the hilarity.

Comments

[Scotty]

A few years ago we had a tornado warning down here in the Plainfield/Joliet area (big news). As soon as we heard the sirens my family and I went to the basement. After things had seemed to settled down, I walked upstairs to take a peek. I looked across the street to see half of my neighbors standing in a driveway. I opened the door and asked if it was all clear. They told me the tornado that touched down 4 miles west of us went right over my house. They chided me because I missed the whole thing. Another good example of natural selection.

[Kent]

Anything to distract from the real news.

[Andy]

You mean missing white girls in Aruba?

[Scotty]

Don't be so cynical Andy. I'm sure Kent meant the news that flag burning is still legal in this country.

[Kent]

What I meant was that we need more coverage of the important things like Michael Jackson and Brad Pitt. I mean come on people, the public needs to know.

I just wish the news would spend less time on that pesky war in Iraq and silly things like the Downing Street memo, and more time investigating why actresses are getting so skinny.

When it comes to mass media, we get what we deserve.

[Scotty]

You are like so right Kent.

BTW, who is this Karl Rove guy and why is it a big deal that he took a leak in the White House?

I'm concerned with Tom Cruise. Do you think he and Katie are moving to fast? Inquiring minds want to know.