In this case, "overhyped" means the government took proper precautions.

[arbusto_baboso]

Sure, Irene wasn't as strong as katrina, but had it been handled as cavalierly as Katrina, we could be looking at a LOT more than 23 deaths.

That's the truth, and it's the bottom line.

[Dawgs]

1. Actually, it's opinion. n/t

[arbusto_baboso]

3. Then how do YOU define "overhyped"?

And have you ever been within a light-year of a fucking hurricane?

[Dawgs]

9. Yes. Hurricane Charley, a category 4 when it hit Florida.

My problem with your post is that we have NO IDEA how many people would have been killed if it wasn't hyped as much. It may have actually been less.

So, your post is NOT TRUTH, it's opinion - just like mine.

Hurricane Charley

[Demeter]

12. Several in New England

Including Gloria and Hugo.

By the time the hurricane gets past the Carolinas, it's NBFD (no big f***ing Deal)

[kdmorris]

2. No it doesn't

It was a complaint about the media, not the government or scientists.

[aquart]

7. The media got people to pay attention.

They did their job.

I'm sorry you were all disappointed in the results. I wasn't.

[kdmorris]

13. There are better ways of getting people's attention.

You do not have to terrorize them.

Today I've had people tell me that I'm a right winger for saying the media hyped this (I have always said that the govt did a great job and I've heard that the local media did as well - though I still give the South Florida local media a BIG FAT F).

I've been accused of saying that it "was no big deal" or that "it's easy to say it wasn't bad when you are sitting there with power".

And now, "disappointed in the results". I guess that's supposed to mean that I wanted more death and destruction because I feel that the national media SHOULD be called on their attempts to terrorize people (which is ineffective and will lead to more loss of life next time).

If we were discussing how the media hyped any other event... say the War on Terror... there would not be so many attacks about this, because people wouldn't have such strong feelings about it. And I wouldn't see so many long-time posters attempting to frame the debate in an ugly way when it has no bearing on the truth.

Just for the record: A category 1 hurricane is BAD. Flooding, falling trees, flying debris, tornadoes and loss of life ensue. But it is not a cataclysmic event that will change the skyline of NYC forever.

There was a report earlier in which people where laughing at this woman in the Catskills and calling her dumb because she ran from NYC to the Catskills without proper supplies. When people are terrified and convinced that they will die if they stay in NYC, that is the consequence. She's not dumb. She's terrified and now she's in a TERRIBLE situation made even worse by her inability to think through the fear and because the Catskills are flooding. THAT is what the media needs to be called on.

[aquart]

16. Skyline? You mean like 9/11?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

8. +1 ... the media overhyped a storm that diminshed in strength as it hit the upper northeast

Irene caused minimal damage by virtue of dimishing strength after initial landfall. The northeast coast got lucky. If a category 3 storm actually swept through Jersey, Brooklyn, & New England... nothing about it would have been overhyped. I think by the time it had hit the densely populated coastline it was a cat1 or tropical storm.

[FLPanhandle]

14. +1

The government did a great job. The NOAA website was the one of the few places to get non-sensationalized information.

God help us if the republicans convince people that corporate media can do just as good of a job. There are plenty here praising the corporations too...that's scary.

[aquart]

4. 31 deaths now, I hear.

I agreed with every decision my state, local, and federal governments took.

And I consider it a very good rehearsal for what the future is going to bring.

[marions ghost]

15. right

good rehearsal. Important point. Bad hurricanes tend to come in clusters. I can't believe that people are complaining about the hype before Irene in our over-hyped world. People respond ONLY to over-hype!

Don't think you'll find anybody who was adversely affected by this event saying it was over-hyped. Better over than under, and there is no way to absolutely predict the path and effects of a major storm.

[LynneSin]

5. Although Katrina was bigger in size, Irene was a potential impact to more people

I'd rather be safe then to see hundreds of people die because precautions weren't taken.

[xmas74]

6. That's how I see it.

I'll take the media "overhyping" a dangerous and possibly deadly storm if it gets people to sit down and listen to the message. The message was heard, loud and clear, and people took proper precautions.

The media got their ratings and the public stayed safe. IMO, that's a win-win for all.

[Broderick]

10. The government did a great job via NOAA/NHC NWS

And FEMA for that matter. Obama had the right moves.

People are up in arms like myself by the Corporations who have co opted our weather reporting with fear, hysteria and panic.

We are letting Corporations for profit drive our national interests. It's all about ratings.

[NNN0LHI]

11. Recommended

[lindysalsagal]

17. Agreed. n/t.