Feds' weather information could go dark

BSMITH · Post by **BSMITH** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 10:00 pm

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/conte ... _0421.html

If you would like to voice your opinion:
http://santorum.senate.gov/public/index ... N=26330858

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:19 am

I can't believe this! I already paid for weather information with my taxes. I don't want to be slapped with another monthly "Weather Bill" to AccuWeather or whoever. It's like telling NASA that it can't publish pictures from their billion dollar satellite cause there's a private firm with a telescope that's selling pictures too. If weather companies want some money, they have to add value to the data. That's what we all have to do to pay for our food, sails and kites. I don't see a law sending me a kite for free.

I know, I'll open a company that offer moped scooter rides, and then have some politician make a bill to close down the highways.

Denis

Stroh · Post by **Stroh** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:16 am

Chris Lock · Post by **Chris Lock** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 12:52 pm

Bummer. Thats what starts to happen when too many people vote Republican.

Chris Lock · Post by **Chris Lock** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 1:16 pm

Sorry, I just dont know what comes over me sometimes.

BSMITH · Post by **BSMITH** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:54 pm

Here is a petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/SaveTheNWS/

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:52 pm

Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pennsylvania obviously has been lobbied by Accuweather which being based in Pennsylvania is a constituent of his, but the logic behind the bill is really stupid.

Denis is right, Accuweather needs to give it's customers something that's worth paying for, that NWS doesn't offer for free.

Accuweathers problem is that the programmers at NWS offer some really cool stuff. Maybe if they would innovate instead of whine, the bottom line would follow.

cdelp · Post by **cdelp** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:28 am

thanks for the posting, I signed the petition. Nice to have someone care enough to get the info to us to at least try and do something about it.

dave t · Post by **dave t** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 1:53 pm

Weather Underground even has a statement of opposition to this bill on their website. They have a link to the survey also. They say they use the NWS as a source and tool