Ted Blames the Media for Flood Coverage
Looks like Governor Ted seems to have hit a few tender nerves with his latest comments about the weather… yesterday he pointed a finger squarely at the news media for blowing the flooding out of proportion to the actual damage. In his words “And the truth of it is, it has been raining in the state for years and years and years. The Wilson River goes up and down for many reasons. This is nothing new.”
In one respect, he’s absolutely correct. Ten or fifteen years ago, the various local news outfits didn’t have “Storm Teams” involving groups of people all over the region making the weather a huge deal. He says that “because of the way the television treats weather, the crisis team, you’ve actually elevated the weather — rainy in Oregon — to a national crisis.”
Is it just media sensationalism? Or is it legitimate reporting on a situation that’s affecting thousands of people in various ways? I suspect the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Lowland flooding around the Wilson River in Tillamook really isn’t HUGE news. Cliffside houses on ocean bluffs falling down really isn’t something that’s totally unexpected. Sandbagging the downtown seawall several years back? Newsworthy. People building houses on a riverbank then being amazed that they flood? Not newsworthy.
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Did AARON just agree with TED?
I’ve had this feeling since Tuesday evening that I’m living in Bizarro world, and I think this is the last thing I needed as proof.
I LOVE Bizarro world!
And there’s nothing I hate more (well maybe, but I try not to be a hater) than “Storm Team Coverage” so hurray on calling it!
I agree with the Gov, the media are out of control. Last night on Channel 8 they had Keely Chalmers out in Tillamook standing in a parking lot, talking about how it was completely full of water earlier in the day. Honestly, who cares? Report on some real news Channel 8!
Remember that clip last year with the chick in the canoe, talking about flooding, and then the firemen walking between her and the camera?
It’s rainy in Oregon. Meh.
Tree falls on Hwy 26 due to rain? That’s major. Streets shut down due to flooding? That’s news.
But heavy rain needn’t be reported short of significant human drama attached. It ends up just making people drive slower in the morning, in my opinion, and ruins my day when I get to work late due to irrational fears.
I mean, am I the only person that’s noticed how slow people are driving in the rain now? I mean, my GAWD, it’s OREGON, people! IT RAINS ALL THE TIME! If you’re not used to it now, GET OFF THE FRIGGIN’ ROAD SO THE REST OF US CAN GET WHERE WE NEED TO BE!!!
(Can you tell I’m a little bent lately?)