Top Story on local News is Senate Bill S.786

[Andrew92]

I guess I already signed the petition last year too (though I don't remember it LOL). Santorum obviously didn't figure that perhaps some industries RELY ON forecasts as well as warnings to go about their businesses. Or maybe he did, and wants their money. Either way, just sick.

-Andrew92

[terstorm1012]

It appears it's still in committee. Hopefully our noise (and other noise, noone anywhere likes this bill except those organizations that must not be named) will keep it there and it will die.

ironic he is making noise about it now, given he was just up here in a helicopter touring the flood damage. perhaps he stopped in State College on his way back to the DC area.

[george_r_1961]

Money talks im afraid. Unless we bombard Congress with phone calls, emails, and letters we will soon be paying for what the NWS and its predecessors have been providing for free since 1871.

[caribepr]

here, I found this petition against S. Bill 786: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveTheNWS/

Thank you so much for providing that link, you saved me a lot of time (not that I don't HAVE a lot of time, but it is more fun using it for other things).

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

If I have the data to make my discussions. I will keep doing them in they will be for free. If they do this I might add the eastern Pacific, and do them next year.

People are going to be warned if the pro's go paid.

[brunota2003]

hey...if they yank the data...I will provide it for free, maybe even the U.S. forecasts...the companies cant say a thing because it would not be the NWS hampering them...it would be some private citizens...

[terstorm1012]

ok..it appears it's still in committee...BUT it COULD get attached to a non-related bill, which always happens these days, so keep those letters going.

they work for US anyway, so we should be keeping them on their toes, crackin' that whip, and so forth.

[brunota2003]

isnt the Bill techinically unconstitutional? Amendment I states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

It is abridging the freedom of speech of the NWS and it is also against the freedom of press, since the NWS/NHC sites are pretty much news, or at least it is to me...so IMHO this bill is techinically unconstitutional therefore can never pass...anyone else have any comments on that?

[SouthFloridawx]

isnt the Bill techinically unconstitutional? Amendment I states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

It is abridging the freedom of speech of the NWS and it is also against the freedom of press, since the NWS/NHC sites are pretty much news, or at least it is to me...so IMHO this bill is techinically unconstitutional therefore can never pass...anyone else have any comments on that?

There is something seriously wrong if it were happen to pass.

Not much going on with this bill actually...

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z ... 00786:@@@X

S.786
Title: A bill to clarify the duties and responsibilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Santorum, Rick [PA] (introduced 4/14/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/14/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.ALL ACTIONS:

4/14/2005:
Introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3658)
4/14/2005:
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
4/21/2005:
Star Print ordered on the bill.

[Terry]

Without any sponsors this bill isn't going anywhere. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't contact you two Senators to tell them briefly and politely that this bill stinks.

[Derek Ortt]

NHC is an RMSC; thus, their function will remain unchanged.

Duties required by international agreement are not affected

[Stratosphere747]

I have a feeling that WINK may have been in a time warp and may just now be bringing this issue up.

Looks like this bill has been buried....

[SouthFloridawx]

NHC is an RMSC; thus, their function will remain unchanged.

Duties required by international agreement are not affected

Or anything that affects aviation.

[NCHurricane]

here, I found this petition against S. Bill 786: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveTheNWS/

Thanks brunota for the link. Just signed it. Go everyone!

Chuck Copeland
http://www.nchurricane.com

[Regit]

isnt the Bill techinically unconstitutional? Amendment I states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

It is abridging the freedom of speech of the NWS and it is also against the freedom of press, since the NWS/NHC sites are pretty much news, or at least it is to me...so IMHO this bill is techinically unconstitutional therefore can never pass...anyone else have any comments on that?

It would be nice to invoke that, but the government can censor itself all it wants. The First Amedment applies to the people and private sector. NOAA is neither. What that does allow, however, is for the people to raise holy H%@# when they disagree with an action of Congress.

[clfenwi]

I searched Google and Yahoo news and the only recent story I found on the bill was in the Marco Island Sun Times... from June 29... Senate Bill would jeopardize voters... Given that the newspaper is in the same area as the TV station that ran the story, it seems to me that someone has someone in that area has some tactical reason for trying to make a stink about it...either that or Marco Island is well behind or slightly ahead of the news curve.

[snooksan]

I just signed the petition. Dont know if it will do any good, but signed it anyway.

Sandy

[Stratusxpeye]

This is not the brightest idea, Ill put it that way and be nice. I signed one of those petitions online a while back when it was brought up here.

[Rainband]

I did too and I signed it again

[angelwing]

I also signed it again