Texas Legislator wants to define 'meteorologist'

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#21 Postby Guest » Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:20 pm

vbhoutex wrote:If indeed any of this is necessary, I think there should be different levels assigned and IT SHOULDN'T BE BY SOME STATE LEGISLATURE!!! It should be by the NWS or some other meteorological association agreed upon by those in the field. Make the certifications for the "levels" available to all by testing. Those with the education should definitely have Professional as part of that name. I can see a need for different levels of "certification" or somthing similar. There are indeed some out there who call themselves mets who are not, some who call themselves "hurricane specialists" who are not, etc. However, and it is very evident here at S2K there are some out there without the formal education who have taught themselves who could be certified at high levels. JMHO.


Thank you. Very well said and put. Agreed 100%
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SouthernWx

#22 Postby SouthernWx » Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:56 pm

Oregonian wrote:I agree with the proposed legislation. If someone appears on television or radio giving legal advice to the public and doesn't possess a law degree, they are subject to arrest. The same statutes apply to other professionals. I may have taken first aid courses, but that doesn't mean I can appear on the evening news calling myself a doctor.

Why should pretenders who didn't put forth the effort and earn their education be allowed to legally give the public warnings or forecasts of potentially life threatening storms, while claiming to be something they clearly are not: a professional meteorologist.
I don't see any difference in meteorologists and doctors/ attorneys.


Friend, I see a tremendous difference between doctors and tv meteorologists. With tv weather forecasts, if the consumer doesn't like the accuracy of the forecaster, just change the channel...or better yet, purchase and turn on a NOAA weather radio.

I've been a Skywarn spotter over twenty years....so know full well the reason most folks die in tornadoes isn't the bad forecasts they recieve from tv forecasters; it's because of apathy...the failure to leave unsafe mobile homes when tornado warnings are broadcasts; the failure to act immediately when tornado warning sirens begin blaring. What kills most people during tornado emergencies? LACK OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!



I also understand perfectly the animosity true meteorologists feel toward those who didn't earn a degree in meteorology, yet falsely claim to be "professionals". I worked my butt off for this degree in elementary education and teaching certificate. It would offend me deeply for someone who never went to college, never earned a degree in education, mathematics, language arts, etc; yet was running around the neighborhood (or internet forums) claiming to be a teacher simply because they "had a lifelong passion for teaching children"; were self taught, knew more than teachers with college degrees.


That sounds more like petty jealousy to me than anything else. If that non-degreed person knows more about teaching than you, who's fault is that? I know degreed pro meteorologists who've ask me for advice and past storm info. Is it my fault they learned less in four years at Texas A&M or Penn State than I have in my 31 years of dedicated storm research? ;)




I won't mention names, but there are far too many unqualified men and women; both on television, and the various weather forums I visit who provide their own forecasts as official and competent; and in many cases, mislead anyone watching/ listening/ reading into believing they are truly knowledgable when the facts are most likely otherwise.


This is a public weather discussion forum....not a television station.
If I'm prohibited from posting my forecast analysis here...why should you be allowed to post analysis and opinion on subjects other than teaching? Do you have a degree in political science?....I noticed you post opinions on the political forum :P

This legislation is foolish....and IMO is being pushed by professional tv meteorologists such as Rebecca Miller with an agenda....to limit and diss their tv competition. I hope it never gets out of committee. There are far more important and potentially harmful things in the great state of Texas than the title of the weather forecasters on tv from Amarillo to Brownsville; real issues that need to be addressed. IMO this issue is a NON-issue.

PW
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Re: Texas Legislator wants to define 'meteorologist'

#23 Postby P.K. » Sat Feb 05, 2005 3:12 pm

Portastorm wrote:The bill, which has the active support of a Dallas TV meteorologist from Truitt's district, would make it a very minor crime (misdemeanor) to call yourself a meteorologist unless you meet specific academic requirements included in the bill.

The standards used by Truitt, R-Keller, are tantamount to having a four-year bachelor of science degree in meteorology and are identical to those needed to get an entry-level job with the National Weather Service. They would be the only state-set standards for meteorologists in the country, according to the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society.

.............

Failure to meet requirements: Individual has committed a Class C misdemeanor if he or she is billed as a meteorologist.


Sounds fair to me although I'm not sure about the punishment bit. (I'm doing a met degree although they only last 3 years here)

What is the punishment for a "Class C misdemeanor"?
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#24 Postby SouthernWx » Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:08 pm

Here's an article written by Dallas tv meteorologist Rebecca Miller nearly three years ago. Of particular interest is the last paragraph (bottom of the page); as I stated, Rebecca has an agenda...and a very good friend/ ally to push it for her in the Texas house and senate (i.e.- Vicki Truitt).

Here's the final paragraph of the 2002 article by Rebecca Miller:

"No matter what the weather is doing, WBAP's three degreed Meteorologists are with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No other radio station in North Texas can boast of even one degreed meteorologist. WBAP has three: David Finfrock, Scott Chesner and Rebecca Miller". :roll: :roll:

http://wbap.enewsbuilder.com/e_article000055198.cfm

PW
Last edited by SouthernWx on Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Texas Legislator wants to define 'meteorologist'

#25 Postby SouthernWx » Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:19 pm

P.K. wrote:
Sounds fair to me although I'm not sure about the punishment bit. (I'm doing a met degree although they only last 3 years here)

What is the punishment for a "Class C misdemeanor"?


No friend, it's not fair....it's honestly disgusting; a farce. It's fraudulent legislation at it's worst; a proposal supposedly needed to save lives, when in fact the reason most Texans die in tornadoes is THEIR failure to heed timely tornado warnings and seek shelter in a safe place. This legislation if passed will not save anyone.....it won't stop people from dying in Texas tornadoes.

This legislation is result of an egomaniac arrogant tv meteorologist's lust to eliminate more experienced, more competent... but less educated forecasters; eliminate her competition in the DFW metroplex by either forcing them to retire, or be arrested.

Rebecca Miller is on an ego trip (that apparently began several years ago..read the article I just posted that she wrote in 2002)...and has a friend in the Texas state house to assist in decieving the public with this sickening farce. :grr: :grr:
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#26 Postby jeff » Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:41 pm

I am surprised she even mentioned the NWS. Next in her line of fire are NWS staff for not getting her the forecast on time which could cost someone's life (or should I say her ratings).

NBC5 is really pushing their degreed mets, I am starting to wonder how much of this is being driven by her superiors at the station.

We have degreed mets here in Houston on TV (Neil Frank) and it is not really that big of a deal. The important part is if they can communicate with the public (and the only thing the public wants to know is the 5 day forecast).
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#27 Postby Aslkahuna » Sat Feb 05, 2005 7:17 pm

Well, it used to be that unless one had the AMS Certifictaion then they couldn't call themselves Meteorologists on camera or on the radio. The AMS IS the Professional Society for Meterologists in this Country and they should have the final word on the matter. For the record, to receive AMS Certification does not require a degree but does require a degree of training in the subject. The criteria used in the legislation is the same used by the US Government for all Civilian Met hires-so if you want to work for Sam, you better have that degree (and then some now since a Bachelor's doesn't always get you on board)-that includes NOAA, Navy, USAF, Army, NWS and any other Civilian Mets with Sam. However, to be a weather forecaster in USAF does NOT require a degree and I have met enlisted non degreed USAF forecasters who could forecast circles around most any froecaster alive degreed or not. One in particular worked for me when I was Chief Forecaster at Whiteman AFB.

Steve
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#28 Postby ColdFront77 » Sat Feb 05, 2005 7:23 pm

Aren't those with National Weather Association (NWA) Certifications professional meteorologists?

There's a meteorologist on one of the local Orlando stations who has certificates from the AMS (American Meteorologial Society) and NWA.
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#29 Postby therock1811 » Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:20 pm

Oregonian wrote:I agree with the proposed legislation. If someone appears on television or radio giving legal advice to the public and doesn't possess a law degree, they are subject to arrest. The same statutes apply to other professionals. I may have taken first aid courses, but that doesn't mean I can appear on the evening news calling myself a doctor; I cannot drive down the expressway and pull over speeding cars while dressed in a law enforcement uniform and calling myself a highway patrolman (thats called impersonating an officer, and is illegal).

Why should pretenders who didn't put forth the effort and earn their education be allowed to legally give the public warnings or forecasts of potentially life threatening storms, while claiming to be something they clearly are not: a professional meteorologist.
I don't see any difference in meteorologists and doctors/ attorneys. All are professionals who are entrusted by the public for potentially life or property saving advice; the same standards should apply.

I also understand perfectly the animosity true meteorologists feel toward those who didn't earn a degree in meteorology, yet falsely claim to be "professionals". I worked my butt off for this degree in elementary education and teaching certificate. It would offend me deeply for someone who never went to college, never earned a degree in education, mathematics, language arts, etc; yet was running around the neighborhood (or internet forums) claiming to be a teacher simply because they "had a lifelong passion for teaching children"; were self taught, knew more than teachers with college degrees. :grr:

I won't mention names, but there are far too many unqualified men and women; both on television, and the various weather forums I visit who provide their own forecasts as official and competent; and in many cases, mislead anyone watching/ listening/ reading into believing they are truly knowledgable when the facts are most likely otherwise. In my opinion, these individuals without proper legal authority to do such (appropriate degree) should be held legally responsible if someone dies or is injured as result of their weather forecast.

In my opinion, if an amateur "meteorologist" is willing to post or broadcast a forecast warning of severe storms and doesn't give their (lack of) qualifications clearly beforehand, they should be willing to pay the legal price (lawsuit, arrest, etc.) when their "forecast" is incorrect, and someone is injured, killed, or faces property losses as a result.


To keep this from turning into a total free-for-all. I TOTALLY and respectfully disagree with all of this. That would effectively end your ability to come to these VERY forums. Are you for that?
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#30 Postby jeff » Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:32 pm

therock1811 wrote:
Oregonian wrote:I agree with the proposed legislation. If someone appears on television or radio giving legal advice to the public and doesn't possess a law degree, they are subject to arrest. The same statutes apply to other professionals. I may have taken first aid courses, but that doesn't mean I can appear on the evening news calling myself a doctor; I cannot drive down the expressway and pull over speeding cars while dressed in a law enforcement uniform and calling myself a highway patrolman (thats called impersonating an officer, and is illegal).

Why should pretenders who didn't put forth the effort and earn their education be allowed to legally give the public warnings or forecasts of potentially life threatening storms, while claiming to be something they clearly are not: a professional meteorologist.
I don't see any difference in meteorologists and doctors/ attorneys. All are professionals who are entrusted by the public for potentially life or property saving advice; the same standards should apply.

I also understand perfectly the animosity true meteorologists feel toward those who didn't earn a degree in meteorology, yet falsely claim to be "professionals". I worked my butt off for this degree in elementary education and teaching certificate. It would offend me deeply for someone who never went to college, never earned a degree in education, mathematics, language arts, etc; yet was running around the neighborhood (or internet forums) claiming to be a teacher simply because they "had a lifelong passion for teaching children"; were self taught, knew more than teachers with college degrees. :grr:

I won't mention names, but there are far too many unqualified men and women; both on television, and the various weather forums I visit who provide their own forecasts as official and competent; and in many cases, mislead anyone watching/ listening/ reading into believing they are truly knowledgable when the facts are most likely otherwise. In my opinion, these individuals without proper legal authority to do such (appropriate degree) should be held legally responsible if someone dies or is injured as result of their weather forecast.

In my opinion, if an amateur "meteorologist" is willing to post or broadcast a forecast warning of severe storms and doesn't give their (lack of) qualifications clearly beforehand, they should be willing to pay the legal price (lawsuit, arrest, etc.) when their "forecast" is incorrect, and someone is injured, killed, or faces property losses as a result.


To keep this from turning into a total free-for-all. I TOTALLY and respectfully disagree with all of this. That would effectively end your ability to come to these VERY forums. Are you for that?


You could still have weather forums, you just could not have meteorologist calling themselves that if they did not have the educational backing. I think S2K checks all their forecasters and pro-mets to make sure they have degrees if I am not mistaken. This forum could continue as is. I doubt the bill will pass anyhow, especially considering the lack of support. Although I must say there is more support for this than I thought there would be.
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Texas Legislature

#31 Postby stormcloud » Sun Feb 06, 2005 9:32 pm

Gee, why just limit to meteorologists? Since it's obvious that the Texas Legislature has nothing else to do and there obviously are no problems here in the Lone Star State to take care of, why limit it to just meteorologists. They should pass that bill for anyone whose profession ends in -gist.
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#32 Postby JenyEliza » Sun Feb 06, 2005 9:52 pm

Why stop there?

How about anyone with an "ist" at the end of their title?

Hairstyl-ist
Dent-ist
Podiatr-ist
Orthodont-ist
Proctolog-ist
Psychiatr-ist
Psycholog-ist
Pharmac-ist
Ornitholog-ist
Icthyolog-ist
Archaeolog-ist
Radiolog-ist

. . .and the list goes on and on.
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#33 Postby Aslkahuna » Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:57 pm

Actually, most of those -ist's ARE licensed and governed by the individual States-and that does include Hair Stylists as they do need a State license to work in that profession. Certainly those in the Medical Profession do as well.

Steve
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#34 Postby themusk » Mon Feb 07, 2005 7:15 am

JenyEliza wrote:Why stop there?

How about anyone with an "ist" at the end of their title?



Yes, but who will be responsible for certifying an anarch-ist?? :lol:

On a more serious note, any kind of certification for professionals that fails to consider actual skill and experience, IMO, falls short. Remember that the licensed professions are usually not solely based on degrees or other formal academic training: they're usually contingent upon on-the-job training, sometimes years of it (as in doctors) or examinations (lawyers, CPAs), or both.

And in many states, in some licensed professions normally thought of as degree-dependent, it's possible to completely substitute examinations and on-the-job training. For example, here in Vermont, it isn't necessary to go to law school to practice law: apprenticeship under a lawyer and a passing score in the bar exam is sufficient. I wouldn't think twice about hiring one of our mere handful of degreeless attorneys: the degreeless route, it turns out, is much harder than the law school route, and, IMO, turns out lawyers who are better prepared for the real world of the courtroom.
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#35 Postby SouthernWx » Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:38 am

themusk wrote:For example, here in Vermont, it isn't necessary to go to law school to practice law: apprenticeship under a lawyer and a passing score in the bar exam is sufficient. I wouldn't think twice about hiring one of our mere handful of degreeless attorneys: the degreeless route, it turns out, is much harder than the law school route, and, IMO, turns out lawyers who are better prepared for the real world of the courtroom.


I wasn't aware of this, but it illustrates perfectly my opinion that a degree in meteorology makes no one a great NWS or media forecaster.

No, I haven't ever taken calculus, and was miserable at high school algebra....but there's absolutely no doubt I would be a very accurate and competent weather forecaster, whether in a tv/ radio setting or with the local WSFO. Why? BECAUSE I've studied weather with a passion most of my life, and I've learned well; know how to create an accurate forecast using model data, climatology, many years of experience, and something many pro's I've seen sadly lack: common sense and instinct.

I don't have to read the NWS AFD or forecasts and copy what they say....but interestingly, when I check out area AFD's (KFFC, KBMX, KJAN, KGSP, etc) after creating my forecast analysis, most of the time we're seeing exactly the same thing. Most of the time when KFFC and I don't see eye to eye, it's my analysis that is the one on the beam; because I have experience the NWS forecaster lacks....because I have instincts he/ she lacks. I've experienced 43 years of Atlanta winters, so I KNOW how the wedge many times means ice or a very close call.....much colder and less daily temperature rise than any model forecast; why if you forecast in metro Atlanta, you'd better undercut the MOS guidance in many wedge situations.

Last summer I was closer to reality than NHC on both hurricanes Frances and Jeanne (landfall forecast...inland track recurving over Georgia). Why? My research into past Florida hurricanes. Using model guidance and common sense, I forecast landfall near Palm Beach and Jupiter rather than much farther north as NHC indicated (they had Jeanne making landfall near Vero Bch and Melbourne only 18 hrs before landfall).

It'll never happen; especially not with folks such as Rebecca Miller pushing even more stringent requirements for meteorologists, but I'd love the same type of meteorologist licensing as Vermont utilizes for attorneys. If it were, I'd likely be a NWS or tv meteorologist somewhere in the south today :)

PW
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#36 Postby pojo » Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:50 am

george_r_1961 wrote:
pojo wrote:I support her bill. There are NUMEROUS 'so-called' mets that have only a assoc degree from Mississippi State... That really doesn't constitute a 4 year degree in Met. People who are gaining a 4 year degree in Met have more training and actually can call themselves a met! They have the mathematics, the physics and all the required met courses to support their title... MSU people... nope, internet classes and associate degree.

That is why I am getting a SECOND bachelors in Meteorology starting this summer from the University of Hawaii. I was under the notion that the AMS is changing its requirements to slowly to phase out MSU graduates from getting a seal of approval... Right choice.

case in point... we have a chief met in the Green Bay that DOES NOT have a AMS seal. Yes, Chief met w/o bachelors in met... Not the ideal candidate for the job. Boring to watch also! (but he is at the top ranked station in Green Bay) He has a bachelors in geography and a masters in met/oceanography. http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S= ... v=DqT7SoEk


Shannon would the term "Professional Meteorologist" be appropriate for ppl with a minimum of a four year degree in the field? I think many would agree to that. I do have a problem though with announcers calling themselves mets when they have little or no training in the field. As for myself, with no formal training in meteorology, I refer to myself as an "amateur forecaster" or better yet "weather geek" Not as a met...out of deference to individuals such as yourself.


Yes, it would. Professional Met would be a better term for those that have a bachelors in Met. However, like you said, that shouldn't pertain to those that just have a MSU certificate or a non-met bachelors degree. I'll call myself a weather geek also, but I am not going to step into the realm of professional met until I have a bachelors in met.
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#37 Postby Persepone » Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:01 pm

themusk wrote:[

And in many states, in some licensed professions normally thought of as degree-dependent, it's possible to completely substitute examinations and on-the-job training. For example, here in Vermont, it isn't necessary to go to law school to practice law: apprenticeship under a lawyer and a passing score in the bar exam is sufficient. I wouldn't think twice about hiring one of our mere handful of degreeless attorneys: the degreeless route, it turns out, is much harder than the law school route, and, IMO, turns out lawyers who are better prepared for the real world of the courtroom.


Yes, in many states there are examination alternatives to degrees for licensing. Licended professional engineer, CPA, bar exam, etc. are avenues that do not necessarily require degrees, but experience can substitute. And yes, these are very difficult avenues. On the other hand, I've no qualms about working with people who have gone the examination route. Many people who attend university, graduate school, etc. fail those examinations the first time out!

I don't understand why there is an issue, however, since if someone does have a degree, they can so state. If the radio/TV stations that hire these people think it is important, then they can put their meterologists' credentials up. "So and so., B.S., M.S., Ph.D." Same as other credentials.

My impression is that all the radio & TV stations, etc. use the NWS for watches and warnings, etc. They are always referring to these and are pretty careful to defer to NWS for the "official stuff." So yeah, they may advise taking an umbrella to work or tell you to bundle up your kids before you send them out to wait for the school bus, but when there are "official" warnings, they quote the NWS. And this seems to be true regardless of whether they have degrees in meterology or not.

As for people who post on boards, there is no reason to care whether they have degrees or not. The purposes are generally very different! I do not monitor S2K for imminent threats! Granted, if I were messing around on S2K and suddenly a post popped up warning me of an threat to me (e.g. "tornado on the ground near ____ [my location]!"), I'd probably grab my pocketbook (which contains a portable NOAA radio) and head for shelter and then find out if it were real or a hoax once I was in a safe place to do so. But it is much more likely that my NOAA radio would alarm to let me know of this. And I can hear my NOAA radio from where I sit at my computer. And I can directly credit my NOAA radio (the one in the pocketbook) from saving me from immediate and very specific danger on two occasions--once with a 97 year old woman in the car with me. We made it to shelter indoors at the nearest building just as a large tree came down where we had been shortly before! Frankly, I don't care if the person who broadcast that warning had a degree or not!

But what I especially like about S2K are the varieties of opinions and the understanding that builds up over time of not just what is happening, but a sense of why and what causes it. Also, the S2K posts provide a lot of early warning! With good reason, the NWS and the local media do not want to warn of "possibilities" too far in advance because they don't want to have "false alarms" etc. That is understandable and if they do have too many warnings of events that do not occur, then people tend to ignore warnings.

On the other hand, I personally would much rather prepare for something that did not happen that be caught unprepared and scrambling at the last minute. And actually in my case, it does not hurt. I'd probably never get my yard cleaned up if I didn't go out and bring in stuff that would blow around when the possibility of high winds arise, etc. I would not go out and cut that rotten limb once the temperature had dropped and the snow/freezing rain was already falling. On the other hand, if I've gone out and trimmed it and the snow/ice/freezing rain/high wind does not materialize, I've still taken care of a chore that I'd been avoiding!

I was very happy to have a few extra days "warning" about the possibility of the January storm! I got everything in from the yard that needed to come in. I did all the laundry in case we lost power. (What a sense of accomplishment!) I returned and got new library books. I brought some firewood inside. I got my shopping done a couple of days early and made sure that I had plenty of hot chocolate, etc. I made sure I knew where stuff was. I checked batteries in portable radios, etc. Good idea--I found a just about to leak battery in an expensive device. We parked our cars in "storm spaces" (over far enough so that snowblower goes in and out of its place in the garage easily). Checked generator. Now, suppose there had been no storm? So what? I had all my shopping done, all the laundry done (yay! hurray!), the yard was cleaned up, the trash was at the dump, I had firewood indoors (and you don't need a bad storm to enjoy a fireplace in the winter), and a stash of hot chocolate. Further, I did not have a battery leak in a portable TV so I saved money and aggravation there. And I had library books and for once got all the books back before their due date so saved $$. I just did stuff a little earlier &/or more efficiently than I normally would have because S2K posters goaded me into not being my usual procrastinating self. I certainly would not have been angry if there had been no storm! And I owe a special thanks to all of you on S2K who posted the "advance warnings" about a potential snowstorm for our area! My husband also thanks you--the laundry was done before all the drawers were empty! (Maybe you should forecast bad weather more oftenjavascript:emoticon(':lol:')
javascript:emoticon(':lol:'))

Perhaps this is because I'm old enough to remember when weather forecasting was somewhere between non-existent and dependent upon watching animal behavior, and elderly people's arthritis. I don't know very much yet, but I've learned a lot in the last few years... And mostly I learn from reading what people post.

As for differentiating the "good" from the "bad" I don't think that is an issue. As someone said, if you don't like the weather forecaster on Channel A, change channels. You can figure out pretty quickly which ones you want to watch and which ones you don't. The same is true on the boards. On the other hand, you probably learn as much if not more from the questions and the postings of those who don't know as you do from those who are professional or semi-professionals. For one thing, in many cases, those posters are invaluable because they ask the question that you should have asked but didn't for fear of appearing to be an idiot. For another, you learn a lot from the responses people give them. Hey, the first time I saw weather maps it was like looking at Chinese calligraphy, but now I'm beginning to see what I'm looking at.

On the one hand, I strongly believe that people who put in the time and effort to earn degrees should be credited (and should perhaps use whatever the appropriate designation is behind their name); but I also believe that there are people out there whose on-the-job experience and personal study have earned them an equivalent. But I also think there is a place for amateurs of all skill levels on the boards.

One final thought. I am personally very impressed by the seriousness and effort of so many YOUNG people on S2K! We seem to have a lot of people out there who are still in high school (perhaps even a few still in junior high school) and many college students (of all ages). I think I will see some of you on TV or read your postings on the NWS discussions in a few years. You are to be commended! I'm impressed! Some of you will earn degrees in meterology. Some of you may go on to to other things with your lives and as careers, but I'm sure that your will do well in those areas as well and that you will not forget the methodologies, etc. you've learned to apply to the weather. You are really a bright bunch of kids! You are our future!
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#38 Postby Anonymous » Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:21 pm

I do NOT agree with the bill at all. It is utter rubbish, and i will not obey it. I have been into Meteorology for years now, and NO ONE, not even the government can take away something created by God. The world is gods, not ours, and he lets us play in it. The weather is his, not the governments. So of course I will not listen to that. A meteorologist is someone the studies weather!! What does Its a 2 part word, LOGY, meaning the study of. Not LOGY, the need to have a degree in. So NO AGAIN, i will not obey such a law if passed. The Old Techniques in Meteorology are good and all, but not good enough. I am developing, and testing new techniques to improve forecasting...That makes me a Future Advanced Technology Meteorologist, my own definition of course..I dont have a degree in it, nor do I need one to study, and produce forecasts. The New Forecasting stuff is the new wave.

WILL NOT OBEY THE STUPID BILL, AND WILL PUSH FAR TO AMEND IT
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#39 Postby MGC » Tue Feb 08, 2005 5:51 pm

I agree with SouthernWx. I'd much rather have a forecaster who is familiar with local weather patterns and has plenty of experience. Just cause somebody have gone through 4 years of college studying cal and physics (both of which I passed mind you) does not make them a competent forecaster. I'm not knocking the folks with 4 year met degrees. For those of you that have those degrees congrats!.........
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#40 Postby Portastorm » Tue Feb 08, 2005 11:00 pm

Well guess what? The state rep is dropping her support of her own bill due to the high volume of negative calls that her office got.

But my oh my what a debate it stirred!

Michael
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Any forecasts under my name are to be taken with a grain of salt. Get your best forecasts from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center.


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