Reply #56: Storm Over Weather Services Legislation (Santorum/privitization)

[Divernan]

www.post-gazette.com/nationworld/

Santorum's legislation would protect private weather forecasting companies by directing the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to limit the National Weather Services offerings to just those services that private sector companies cannot or are unwilling to offer. Although there are narrow exceptions for aviation and severe weather forecasts, Santorum would deny millions the information they now routinely get from the National Weather Services - to protect Accu-Weather, a private company based in State College, PA. What happens if this private company tanks?
Rick just says,"Whoops, my bad!"?

You too can buy a law for under $10,000! Just call Santorum's office. What did it cost Accu-Weather? So far, under $10,000 in contributions to Santorum.

IIMHOP, it is day-to-day weather forecasts which alert many of us to the possibility of severe weather, which are extremely important to our health and safety. I always check with NWS before I travel. Many friends check re whether to let their teenagers drive - especially in winter. (If NWS is not allowed to provide the hourly weather updates which people routinely can check, how will we-the-people even KNOW there is the possibility of severe weather.)