NHC Director Bill Proenza re-assig,Ed Rappaport new director

#121 Postby **Toadstool** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:42 pm

Certainly NOAA's follow up has been very poor and CYA. Rappin "Baby-face" Eddie (as he's called in the agency) will hopefully do a good job, but Frankie and Avie may not want to sign their names on the forecasts for a while.

superg77 · #122 Postby **superg77** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:41 am

I still can't really get passed the "Good for him - he was interested in the public having a new satellite - the spoiled staff shouldn't have forced him out" feeling.

HurricaneJoe22 · #123 Postby **HurricaneJoe22** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:54 am

Proenza hearing may stir new fury

http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/172748.html

#124 Postby **Downdraft** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:20 am

Now, having read the Miami Herald story on congressional hearings I smile at my critics who said politics should be kept out of this. Anyone that worked in government, especially the federal government, knew and knows where this was going to end up from the start. Now it is in the hands of the politicians and with their agendas I'd expect all of them to make hay from it.

Berwick Bay · #125 Postby **Berwick Bay** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:58 am

I hate to say I told you so, but I TOLD YOU SO! Talking about the fact of a congressional investigation into Proenza's firing. And these forecasters, are they in la-la land or something. Saying 'we thought this was all behind us, but it keep coming back'. Geez. Anyway here was my post about a possible congressional investigation (posted over a week ago).

Berwick Bay Post subject: Re: NHC Director Bill Proenza re-assig,Ed Rappaport new directorPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:47 pm
Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 9:37 pm
Posts: 421 Nimbus asked why this was the top story in today's news outlets. This agency and what goes on within its concrete walls is very, very important. Now, I'm not saying that this is gonna happen, and I don't know that it would be particulary helpful if it did, but there have been instances in the past where congressional investigations have occured inquiring into how decisions have been made within critical agencies.

Frank2 · #126 Postby **Frank2** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:47 am

There seems to be a lack of understanding the situation - all parties need to sit down together to discuss what happened, since it seems every side has their own version...

I'm also sorry at the split between the NHC and HRD - there has always been a bit of tension between the two, but, now it seems worse than ever...

Nimbus · #127 Postby **Nimbus** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:57 am

From the article:

Democrats on the House committees have had NOAA in their sights for some time, with two ranking members earlier this year calling for Lautenbacher's removal over perceived failures to maintain or improve the nation's weather satellite capabilities

interesting, I'm all ears

#128 Postby **tolakram** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:08 am

I'm confused as to why anyone is surprised. In my opinion Proenza is the one who made this a political issue, probably because he thought he would get sympathetic ears in congress. Again, all his fault, not the forecasters. Who went political? So now we have congress getting all excited because they can investigate and interfere with something else.

If I was a forecaster and I caught wind of what he was doing I would react the same way. Keep your politics silent!

Berwick Bay · #129 Postby **Berwick Bay** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:52 am

Gentlemen, the reasons for the congressional inquiry are really quite apparent. You have the new director of a major govt. agency who's primary function is the protection of life and property. This director is replaced without proper procedure or protocol. Isn't that OBVIOUS? I know that many of you have personal friendships with the forecasters and loyalty to the agency, but really, whether or not the forecasters or nice guys (which is what I keep hearing) is totally IRRELEVANT. Proenza was replaced without proper procedure or protocol, the only way allowed for him to contest this, is to go over the heads of NOAA and the Commerce Dept. He is acting according to his rights as an American citizen. And for our sake, regardless of who is right or wrong, I hope that the hearings are PUBLIC. I have a feeling that there's a lot of rot in the upper echelons of NOAA and the Commerce Dept. I spoke about that earlier too, in another post about cozy relationships between govt. officials and the private sector in regards to govt. contracts. I wouldn't be surprised if thats not what comes out of these congressional hearings.

vacanechaser · #130 Postby **vacanechaser** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:44 am

congessional hearing?? just another witch hunt to me.... cant they wait until the season is over??? the dems are looking for anything to put blame at the foot of bush for anything... it pretty much said that in the article... they are not even talking to the critics of proenza.... just what we need now.... congress causing more trouble and distractions as we approach the heart of the season...

Jesse V. Bass III
http://www.vastormphoto.com
Hurricane Intercept Research Team

Berwick Bay · #131 Postby **Berwick Bay** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:53 am

The way Proenza's dismissal was handled was totally inappropriate at best, and downright sleazy at worst. Mr. Proenza has chosen to contest this action. That is his right. Since the dismissal, Proenza has not said a word to the media (that I know of), he let the forecasters make very vague and suspicious allegations (which were probably irrelevant anyway in regards to Proenza job status at the NHC) to the media. Proenza quietly took his case (as is his right) over the heads of NOAA and the Commerce Dept. I say again, that I hope that the hearings are public.

vacanechaser · #132 Postby **vacanechaser** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:59 am

Berwick Bay wrote:The way Proenza's dismissal was handled was totally inappropriate at best, and downright sleazy at worst. Mr. Proenza has chosen to contest this action. That is his right. Since the dismissal, Proenza has not said a word to the media (that I know of), he let the forecasters make very vague and suspicious allegations (which were probably irrelevant anyway in regards to Proenza job status at the NHC) to the media. Proenza quietly took his case (as is his right) over the heads of NOAA and the Commerce Dept. I say again, that I hope that the hearings are public.

you can say vague all you like... maybe that is how it appears to you and others through the media... like i have said, we do not know what went on or has gone on behind closed doors and what other emails and such have been discussed...they may have made the their case to the right people and not in the public for other reasons... maybe it would all come out at the end of the season, i dont know... but to do it now as we approach the heart of the season is just as silly and dangerous as others said proenza's dismissal was... maybe it was handled wrong, but now in my opinion is not the time to figure it out...

Jesse V. Bass III
http://www.vastormphoto.com
Hurricane Intercept Research Team

Berwick Bay · #133 Postby **Berwick Bay** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:08 am

I do agree with you Vacanechaser, that the timing is poor and not helpful, to say the least. Of course that could also be said of the firing of Proenza, as it occured during the hurricane season itself. I guess if Proenza's firing couldn't wait, then the inquiry into his dismissal can't wait either.

vacanechaser · #134 Postby **vacanechaser** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:21 am

Berwick Bay wrote:I do agree with you Vacanechaser, that the timing is poor and not helpful, to say the least. Of course that could also be said of the firing of Proenza, as it occured during the hurricane season itself. I guess if Proenza's firing couldn't wait, then the inquiry into his dismissal can't wait either.

good point! however, he was dismissed when there was little going on in the tropics... mr rappaport has been there for some time and knows whats going on.. he could step right in and not miss a beat... thats why to me it is not a big deal... however, with congress getting into the mess, it is only going to get worse, drawn out, and a possible distraction to everyone at the center and coud cause more problems in the long run during the heart of the season.. then of course, they (congress) will blame NOAA and the white house for the problems and distractions as they usually do... jmo

Jesse V. Bass III
http://www.vastormphoto.com
Hurricane Intercept Research Team

Category 5 · #135 Postby **Category 5** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:30 am

Ed will be a fine director, good choice.

Frank2 · #136 Postby **Frank2** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:48 am

Berwick, I can't agree - sometimes a person is removed from a position if it's decided that perhaps the person was not the correct choice for the position, based on their performance.

I've seen that happen more than once, and, I look at it this way - at least the Government tries to reassign the person so they can continue to earn a living (at least they are forgiven and given another chance, in a sense, which is the Christian way) - private industry would just fire them coldy, without a second thought...

vacanechaser · #137 Postby **vacanechaser** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:04 pm

Frank2 wrote:Berwick, I can't agree - sometimes a person is removed from a position if it's decided that perhaps the person was not the correct choice for the position, based on their performance.

I've seen that happen more than once, and, I look at it this way - at least the Government tries to reassign the person so they can continue to earn a living (at least they are forgiven and given another chance, in a sense, which is the Christian way) - private industry would just fire them coldy, without a second thought...

thats the truth... thats why i work for a state govt... :lol:

Jesse V. Bass III
http://www.vastormphoto.com
Hurricane Intercept Research Team

#138 Postby **vbhoutex** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:39 pm

Please continue this discussion without the politics involved that I see popping up. There is no need to make this a Dems. vx or whomever vs. discussion. Keep it about the persons and agencies involved and keep the political opinions out of it please.

vacanechaser · #139 Postby **vacanechaser** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:44 pm

vbhoutex wrote:Please continue this discussion without the politics involved that I see popping up. There is no need to make this a Dems. vx or whomever vs. discussion. Keep it about the persons and agencies involved and keep the political opinions out of it please.

well, i thought it was fair game considering the article... and the others have bashed the white house in this thread and nothing was said... i mean considering this is a political debate...

sorry for any problems

Jesse V. Bass III
http://www.vastormphoto.com
Hurricane Intercept Research Team

#140 Postby **vbhoutex** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:50 pm

vacanechaser wrote:
vbhoutex wrote:Please continue this discussion without the politics involved that I see popping up. There is no need to make this a Dems. vx or whomever vs. discussion. Keep it about the persons and agencies involved and keep the political opinions out of it please.

well, i thought it was fair game considering the article... and the others have bashed the white house in this thread and nothing was said... i mean considering this is a political debate...

sorry for any problems

Jesse V. Bass III
http://www.vastormphoto.com
Hurricane Intercept Research Team

Jesse, this was directed at everyone, not you alone. I didn't just read your posts and post this. I think this can continue to be discussed without the bashing and the political opinions.

With "everyone" getting involved now and with Proenza's actions this could get very interesting. My biggest concern though it the NHC itself and how they will be percieved and how this will work out in the end. I know the scientitsts there will do their jobs and do them as well as they always have, but will the general public see that?

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