Is it just me, about Sandy? (Houston, Galveston: homes, closing, to live)

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by LizzySWW

IMO, it's all about the "NYC narcissism" that the media promotes to the hilt. The Apple is more important than Gulf Coast cities. Grrrrrr.

Cherry we've been thinking the same thing as you!

Why do you blame NY?
The media did the exact same thing with Tampa just a few months ago.


Tropical Storm Isaac postpones Republican convention in Florida - Aug. 25 2012

Isaac following track of Katrina eerily, evacuations ordered - Aug. 27 2012

It appeared early Monday that the storm’s ferocity would mostly bypass Florida’s west coast and the Republican National Convention in Tampa, where the schedule was pushed back a day by organizers over concerns about the storm.
Isaac’s eye is forecast to pass well west of Tampa.

[Whyrallnamestaken]

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

You must have been taking a NAP in 2005 because the Katrina Hurricane in New Orleans had around the clock coverage of that disaster

Yes, and they did very little reporting on other areas that were hard hit.

[cheryjohns]

OK - the storm in the NE was really, really bad.

My whole issue was the media. What we hear is what appeals to them. If they are fascinated with a storm hitting NYC - they go on and on and on and on. If they aren't, they ignore it or just say very little. It really has nothing to do with how big the story really is. That makes it difficult to tell what is serious and what is just overblown.

The media followed every minute thing in the Casey Anthony trial - yet, similiar trials happen elsewhere without national media attention. Why?

I believe it was a big Iraqui surge story that was interrupted to give us a "breaking" story about Lindsey Lohan going to jail for 15 minutes.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

OK - the storm in the NE was really, really bad.

My whole issue was the media. What we hear is what appeals to them.

Because they are based in NYC and LA. If the national media was based out of Houston, the world would hear about every little thing here, too, including heat waves.

[theSUBlime]

I did think the coverage is excessive, but it always is, especially with a storm in the Northeast.

You have to remember:
-structures tend to be a lot older in these areas (I have a lot of friends who live in buildings Houstonians would find gross.)
-more densely populated small states and cities
-Northerners not used to hurricanes
-New York City is not the only city in the US but it is our largest city and urban area and an important cultural, political, and economic center for the US
-and many media outlets are located there

I mean, what meteorologist doesn't get a hard-on from seeing a huge storm approaching? They always have to hide their excitement by qualifying any statements they say with "in the worst possible way." It's a time when they actually are semi-relevant.

[spm62]

I always hear plenty of news when there is a bad hurricane, whether it`s in the gulf or up the east coast. I haven`t noticed if there is more this time, it seems the same to me. But one can use your logic in sports as well. The N.Y. Yankees get an abundance of coverage and more national attention than any other baseball team. And since Texas was mentioned, the Dallas Cowboys get more national attention than any other football team. The Lakers seem to get more media attention than most other basketball teams. Democratic candidates get more favorable press than republicans. So I guess the mainstream national media isn`t fair in their coverage of weather, sports, or politics.

[spm62]

Originally Posted by theSUBlime

I mean, what meteorologist doesn't get a hard-on from seeing a huge storm approaching?.

Female meteorolgist? At least I hope they don`t!

[Oildog]

Wow...over 8 million people without power

[crone]

I'm told by a relative that 36 media executives decide everything we see and hear in the USA. I forget the number of outlets, but they are controlled by the 36.

I guess it will not get any better. There was some controversy during one of those storms about 5 or 6 years ago because all the tv was coming out of major markets. All of the radio had been consolidated and was coming from LA or someplace. There was no way for any local news. Some guy was running a little station out of his kitchen. Turned out, that was the only way to communicate for the small towns . I think he was in Mississippi. After that, the FCC started using that as a reason to allow more little stations.

We need to just turn it off and go to alternative and independents.

[diablo234]

Originally Posted by Oildog

Wow...over 8 million people without power

What is even worse is the fact that in NYC several of the subway/roadway tunnels (which are estimated to take four days to be put back into service) and even the airports such as LaGuardia and JFK were flooded with saltwater which means several electrical componants will need to be replaced.

Not only will this affect transportation within the region but it will also affect air traffic throughout the country.