Chase Association: The Proposal

[Mike Peregrine]

NOTE - please reserve this thread for proposals only. Discussion and debate should continue in the debate thread. Thank you.

Introduction

This is primarily conceived as a representative organization to the media, with a secondary function of monitoring and assisting chasers with safe practice. The fact that it is structured in the form of an association - or non-profit venture - does not mean that you are going to see storm chaser booths at the next Lawn and Garden show in your local civic arena. Remember, Stormtrack by all definitions is an association … if you are a member of this message board, then you already belong to an 'association' of storm chasers.

However, the goals of Stormtrack are for the benefit of chasers only … this is known as 'the chaser resource,' not a media or public information resource. Stormtrack and its editors do not spend time editing news releases and sending them to media or other contacts. They spend time reporting on the weather and the items that are of interest to chasers themselves, not to the general public or government agencies.

In all of the concern raised around safe chasing practices (especially lately), we simply recognized a need and were making an attempt to fill that need. Nothing more … no big money here, no big corporation. No big deal … period. Here are the examples that I had in mind. I am anxious to hear Amos' take as well, and I think that we are somewhat on the same page as far as goals are concerned.

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Need No. 1: Trends in the media have been shifting away from any of the beneficial aspects of chasing, and trending toward the sensational following several incidents, including the appearance of multiple vehicles who are now chasing with the intent of driving into a tornado.

Response: Distribute pre-emptive media packets following newsworthy events, reporting on some of the tangible benefits that chasers had during the event, written and distributed by those who already have a background in writing and reporting.

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Need No. 2: Emergency responders, law enforcement and government agencies have been trending toward negativity about having chasers in their neighborhood, rather than feeling like they are a beneficial element to have around during severe weather. We have noticed a trend that EMS responders are now disavowing any relationship to chasers in their area, instead reporting to the media that chasers are a hindrance to their personnel (even though no hard evidence of this can be found to support this claim).

Response: Train responsible chasers who are already located in each area meet with EMS officials with a program that has been designed to bridge the gaps that currently exist by providing information. This is already being done in some locations to an extent, but there are a few rural areas that have no ties with chasers who continue to see them as more of a negative factor. So we have a simple program where a few key chasers living nearby can go to yearly SKYWARN training and present a video or slide show demonstrating what the chasers will be doing in their area this year.

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Need No. 3: A few chasers - possibly those who are newer - have been engaging in dangerous chase practices, including parking in the middle of the road, driving recklessly and putting others at risk.

Response: Send out a packet of information to those who request it that addresses how to chase responsibly and ethically, possibly with a copy of Dr. Doswell and Roger Edwards' papers on the subject, possibly with a training video of some type. As Shane suggested, show responsible chasers how to address the subject if it becomes evident during a chase. 'What to do if you see someone doing something unsafe,' for example. Or 'ways to help local residents during a severe weather situation.'

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Responding to a few questions:

Yes - this idea is SIMPLE - there is nothing complicated about it … as Amos mentioned, when we try to do something by committee it's easy to take a simple idea and make it into a huge, unworkable, confusing mess. The simplicity of the idea was perhaps the most attractive thing about it.

No … this idea has nothing to do with trade associations. Chasing as a whole is not a trade, even though it may be such for a few. There are no goods and services to market here … no trade shows, no t-shirts, pens, etc. etc. It comes down to finding a method of addressing a situation that has arisen, primarily this year, but one that can be foreseen for the coming years as well.

No … this idea does not represent a select few, while leaving out other chasers. It is designed to encompass chasing as a whole, and representative of the community as a whole, no matter what reasons people have for engaging in the activity.

Conclusion

As time permits I am interested in putting together a more detailed proposal and plan. That plan and the necessary research involved will not be posted online. Rather, we are using these threads as a means to obtain practical ideas. It was assumed ahead of time that the debate would be strong and that we would have to sift through any negativity and emotionalism that might present itself to just reach some kind of 'bottom line.' I definitely wanted to get the idea out in the open air at some point, simply so that chasers could be aware of the issues and explore the possible ways to address them. If any of you feel angered by the proposal for whatever reason, I have no reason to feel that way toward you and naturally have no reason to cultivate any hurt feelings on the subject, whether anything ever comes of any of this or not.

So will any of it help? Who can say at this point - maybe it will, maybe it won't. Will it hurt? As Kevin S. mentioned, I just don't see how it possibly could. It will not affect the way you currently chase, unless you are unsafe and unethical - in which case, someone will probably be addressing the concerns with you personally at some point.

[Amos Magliocco]

I'm still working on putting ideas on paper, but wanted to show an example of what Mike and I and others are talking about. Today on WX-CHASE, I'm sure many of you read Sam Barricklow's post concerning the family from Mulvane whose home was destroyed and who asked for copies of chasers tapes. Shane Adams and his chase partners that day also spoke with this family and are distributing their address information to chasers interested in donating copies of video.

This is EXACTLY the sort of thing that I'd like to see publicized more widely than our little private lists and websites. Not because Shane and Sam want to be famous or congratulated, but because a well-crafted press release--looking and sounding very much like a feature story--would help reporters to 'come up with the idea' of a piece that shows what chasers are REALLY like. Why not let the media know about this side of what we do instead of remaining silent until they find the worst things possible to say about us?

I agree very much with what Mike has written above. I think we'll have more productive conversations about this when the season winds down and people are home, rested, and prepared to think about what's happened this season.

My two main ideas for an association are still to provide positive news targeted to local and national media, and resources with which to expose (not indoctrinate or demand) newer chasers with ideas about chasing safely and responsibly. Joining such an association would only mean that you think those two objectives are worthwhile.

So, more later, but I wanted to step up because of what I'd read on the other list. And my hat is off to Sam and Shane and the others for their good works.

I really believe THIS is who we are, not the maniacal daredevils in Snoopy aviator goggles that the media represented last month.

[Bill Tabor]

Originally posted by Amos Magliocco

So, more later, but I wanted to step up because of what I'd read on the other list. And my hat is off to Sam and Shane and the others for their good works.


This made me think of other chasers help that I heard of regarding the May 12th Attica tornadoes. The group MESO www.mcwar.org claims to have been there and assisted in relief with those victims struck as well as assisting the local fire dept, and emt's.

I heard a story where the Attica residents were rounding up goats that had strayed off into a nearby field as another lowered funnel / potential tornado approached. Meso member's ran out into the field at their own peril and hustled locals to safety in a basement until the danger had passed.

I don't know the full details and wasn't there to witness it myself, but I am aware that a large part of MESO's charter is dedicated to educating the public in member's local communities through Skywarn training programs and also educating young children in the public schools with severe weather awareness training programs. Many of Meso's members are Skywarn spotters, fire department personell, and EMT's.

Here is a quote taken from one of their field updates concerning this day:

"Just as that tornado roped out and dissipated, we noticed a large debris cloud down the highway to the east and the associated tube hanging down from the ominous supercell. We learned that there was significant damage to some homes in the town of Attica, and thought perhaps we could be of some assistance. Upon arriving at the site, police and ambulances were just arriving as well, and they eagerly accepted our help.

One couple had lost their house completely, and we assisted at that scene first in damage assessment, and ultimately in sticking with the survivors as yet another tornado approached their home. We hustled them into the basement, determined what would be the safest place for them (and us) to be, stood sentry over them, their dogs, and goat until danger had passed. They had shelter they could go to for the night.

Everyone did exactly what they do to near perfection. Our forecasters determined where to be almost within feet, our drivers busted a gut to get us there, and our firefighters and EMTs took command of the disaster scene with such authority that the locals were somewhat awed."

Anyway I just wanted to pass on and share the concept that there are chaser related groups that do good deeds for the public. As you say the media needs to know about this. Also having a chaser association which sponsors severe weather public education, public assistance, and chaser safety is a good idea. Probably if we don't band together in some form of association eventually we will be regulated by those who do not have our interests in mind.

[Shane Adams]

it's funny Amos used me in his example...I made the comment a few times on video that day about "this will help the reputation [stormchasers in general]."


Not only the situation with the Mulvane tornado victims/family/friends, but also locals in general. During the Rock, KS tornado later that day, David was calling it in but in the confusion of getting positioned in the middle of BFE, KS, none of us knew exactly where we were (or the tornado either). A group of locals who had been sitting there watching the storm when we pulled up helped out by giving us our exact location, which David then relayed to the weather service in ICT.....without those locals and their knowledge of the area, there's no way we could've given an accurate location on this tornado.

Now.....I'm still not into the whole "let's actively put these positive things into the spotlight" mentality (because I'm lazy), but I have zero problem with being an example for others to write/talk about.

[Shane Adams]

Also, quickly...

I didn't mention it before in my original chase report, but the ICT guy who was taking our reports all day commented that we were the only ones calling the tornadoes in, pretty pathetic considering how many of us were out there.

Here's some shameless self-promotion for the sake of the greater good: During the first tornado just SW of Mulvane, I was searching rabidly for the ICT report number, which was in a satchel in a bag behind me, which meant that my video suffered some while I fetched the number so Dave could call. This isn't anything new for me, but the recent talk of a positive image made me think about it more than I would've normally.

We have a TON of video from that day showing examples of how chasers really do care, and will put down the camera to call in reports and break off a killer storm to check on victims. Again, nothing hero-ish at all, just another day at the office......except we decided to TELL about it this time.

If anyone needs anything from me as far as a reference or material for some positive campaign, PM me.

[Bill Tabor]

Originally posted by Shane Adams
I didn't mention it before in my original chase report, but the ICT guy who was taking our reports all day commented that we were the only ones calling the tornadoes in, pretty pathetic considering how many of us were out there.

Yeah that is wierd especially since I got out of the vehicle and was talking to a group of guys later that night west of Moline that had Skywarn stickers (so I assumed they were local spotters) and they said they had seen all the tornadoes. Odd that they'd be spotters but not calling stuff in.

Here's some shameless self-promotion for the sake of the greater good: During the first tornado just SW of Mulvane, I was searching rabidly for the ICT report number

Yeah I was looking for my list from Chris Novy that had all those numbers too. I had put it in the vehicle week's earlier so I'd have it in case I needed it, but can't find it anywhere. I can only assume it blew out the window? I dunno.

[Amos Magliocco]

In the past week, I've spoken by phone or emailed a handful of chasers whose support I thought would help get something like this off the ground (no pun intended). The responses have ranged from lukewarm to nonexistent.

While I don't mind challenges, I don't have time to play the patron saint of lost causes. I'm spending nearly all my time this summer on another project which is more important to me than stormchasing. I know Mike is busy too, as are the others who were willing to volunteer their time to help organize this. I'm still willing to pitch in, but I think the support ranges from thin to the sort of misrepresentation like I read on WX-CHASE today.

The bottom line is that this would only work with at least some segment of support from chasers. If that's not there, then obviously people have judged there isn't yet a real need.

[Lowell Bloomquist]

I think Mike and Amos have a great idea going! Not being able to chase I do have a journalism background and would be willing to lend a hand where needed. Let me know if I can help!

[Steve Udick]

I am the Director of Operations for the Sooner Information Network, and recently on our msg board someone posted the follwong in a "Storm Chasing Thread"
I write for the Daily and I would love to write a story on stormchasing. If you are involved in this, or know anyone else who is, I'd like to hear from you!

briannabailey80@hotmail.com
This may be an easy way to get good publicity. If you are an OU student(as I think this is the req.) feel free to email her
-Steve

[Shane Adams]

Originally posted by Steve Udick
If you are an OU student(as I think this is the req.) feel free to email her



That's a bummer, would've been nice to be involved. Hopefully there are a few OU chasers who can give good descriptions of what chasing really is, and I'm not talking about 6 people piling into a Saturn at 4pm headed to Moore, OK.

I know there's some good ones up there, just hope they participate.

[KMcCallister]

The OUDaily does storm chasing articles about once a year it appears. For example:

From 2004:
"OU storm-chasers work to help warn Oklahomans of tornadoes sooner. "
http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...68?in_archive=1 (http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/19/40834c41a8968?in_archive=1)

2003 article about Simon Brewer called "Storm chasing: a dangerous hobby"
http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...1c?in_archive=1 (http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/05/14/3ec2a807d151c?in_archive=1)

From 2002: "On a stormy path OU Storm-chasers and spotters risk all in attempts to learn nature's fury"
http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...c4?in_archive=1 (http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2002/07/18/3d362711cf5c4?in_archive=1)

As you might expect...not the ideal perspectives on chasing in these articles.

[Shane Adams]

That's too bad. Maybe this "add" should've run exclusively in OU forums, since that's all they're interested in apparently. I hate those "hey, you wanna do this.....but only if...." proposals.

I guess what we're left with is a perspective from a person who won't be chasing in 5-6 years (because their degree says so).

Hooray for originality :headbang:

[Shane Adams]

Just read all three articles....man. Not only does the OU paper do annual stories on chasing, they do the same one every year, changing only the names. You've got guys most people have never heard of before (or in years) telling the paper how many "posers" there are chasing. Gimme a break.

In the future, I'd appreciate it if OU could handle their requests for content within their own backyard; I don't need to be bothered with emails and posts requesting interviews from chasers, only to find what they're really wanting are students.

[Amos Magliocco]

Well, let's cross our fingers and hope they write something positive.

/me clicks his heels and chants "There's no place like Thayer County....there's no place like Thayer County"

LOL

[Steve Udick]

In the future, I'd appreciate it if OU could handle their requests for content within their own backyard; I don't need to be bothered with emails and posts requesting interviews from chasers, only to find what they're really wanting are students.
I said that was an assumption, feel free to write her, and in the spirit of this topic, this is a possible way to spread positive publicity? Has anyone checked to make sure? Why wouldn't a journalist(or aspiring one) want information from the best available sources. I am not affiliated with the Daily, and a matter of fact the Daily is more or less a competitor of ours, so I was not advertising, merely providing the opportunity for students of OU that use this board(and there a quite a few), or maybe even non-students if you check, to spread a positive message about chasers.
Isn't that the point of the Assc.????

[Shane Adams]

In the future, I'd appreciate it if OU could handle their requests for content within their own backyard; I don't need to be bothered with emails and posts requesting interviews from chasers, only to find what they're really wanting are students.
I said that was an assumption, feel free to write her, and in the spirit of this topic, this is a possible way to spread positive publicity? Has anyone checked to make sure? Why wouldn't a journalist(or aspiring one) want information from the best available sources. I am not affiliated with the Daily, and a matter of fact the Daily is more or less a competitor of ours, so I was not advertising, merely providing the opportunity for students of OU that use this board(and there a quite a few), or maybe even non-students if you check, to spread a positive message about chasers.
Isn't that the point of the Assc.????

Steve, I apologize. I was never aiming my repsonse at you personally, but I never made that clear. Mistake on my part. I guess I just get tired of everything always having a "requirement" beyond knowledge and experience. I'm not out for glory or money, but I do LOVE to talk about chasing, and paper is one of my (if not my very) favorite mediums. It gets old when everytime I see something about needing chasers for interviews, there's always a catch.

I guess I'm just waiting for the day when all that's required is you chase and you love it.

[Steve Udick]

No problem, and in the spirit of all of this, I will contact her to see if there is a reqr. to being interviewed, and also if there can be exceptions to that as well. I will post the results of that question, and her contact info again if it is a positive answer

-S

[Jeff Snyder]

In the future, I'd appreciate it if OU could handle their requests for content within their own backyard; I don't need to be bothered with emails and posts requesting interviews from chasers, only to find what they're really wanting are students.
I said that was an assumption, feel free to write her, and in the spirit of this topic, this is a possible way to spread positive publicity? Has anyone checked to make sure? Why wouldn't a journalist(or aspiring one) want information from the best available sources. I am not affiliated with the Daily, and a matter of fact the Daily is more or less a competitor of ours, so I was not advertising, merely providing the opportunity for students of OU that use this board(and there a quite a few), or maybe even non-students if you check, to spread a positive message about chasers.
Isn't that the point of the Assc.????

I emailed her and am talking to her sometime next week... Don't worry, I'll be sure to mention how selfish we are and how we only go out for 100% entertainment... :wink:

[Shane Adams]

No problem, and in the spirit of all of this, I will contact her to see if there is a reqr. to being interviewed, and also if there can be exceptions to that as well. I will post the results of that question, and her contact info again if it is a positive answer

-S

I don't think it will be, since I emailed her with the same inquiry yesterday evening (telling her if being a student was a requirement to then disregard my email) and have yet to hear a reply.

EDIT: And now having read Jeff's post, that all but confirms my above statement.

[Steve Udick]

Good to see there will possibly be some quality journalism going on. Again, If she emails me back with any info, I will let everyone know.

[Steve Udick]

Thank you for your interest in my post! I would love to broaden the subject of my article to cover more than OU students, but my editor likes most of our stories to be about students. I would love to interview someone who is maybe an OU grad though.

Thanks for your help
Brianna
That's what I got back today. Jeff, hope you have some luck. Everyone else.. that sucks... too bad they aren't interested in more knowledgable voices besides just one from Jeff... they could have a great article by including more people like Jeff(minus the OU degree)
-S

[Jim Bishop]

You've got guys most people have never heard of before (or in years) telling the paper how many "posers" there are chasing. Gimme a break.

I have to agree with the "posers" comment from the article. Here's why. I see more and more chasers out every year that have vehicles with all kinds of skywarn stickers, instruments, and tons of antennas. I see the same people parked on the side of the road staring at the RFD gust front...or scud clouds....

Take May 4 last year. I was on the Gerard/Franklin Kansas storm. Granted we got caught behind it for a while due to a tracktor and the city of Independence. But as we finally caught up from the west, we passed buy numerous "chasers" with all that crap on their car parked on the side of the road STARRING in awe at an arcus cloud/RFD gustfront! We continued driving east because there was a wedge on the ground about 2 miles up the road, but those chasers clearly had no idea what was going on.

Later as we continued chasing the tornado, we got stuck behind chasers again who apparently didn't even see the tornado, because they were not driving anywhere near the speed limit and the tornado's distance from us was increasing. Finally they stopped and turned around. I don't know what they saw, but if they saw the tornado they wouldn't have turned around. It's tacky, but calling these guys "posers" is pretty accurate since they dress their cars up to make them feel like a storm chaser, but have no idea what they are doing. These guys are road hazards.

[Melissa Moon]

She contacted me a few days ago about this interview before I saw anything about it on this board; I guess she stumbled across it linked up to http://weather.ou.edu.

I, too, am planning on talking to her next week. A common misconception among the general OU population (not so much talking about met. students here) is that storm chasing is something that the department supports as part of our education. Some people even think that the met. students here even do it as a field trip. I've even had a few students in other fields of study ask me if I get credit hours for storm chasing.

However, the reality at OU is that the School of Meteorology frowns upon students' storm chasing, unless it is done for research purposes with an OU professor (such as Dr. Bluestein's UMass group). But since we, as students, are adults in a free country, we are free to do whatever we want, so the department will not prohibit students from chasing. Here's a quote from Dr. Fred Carr, the director of the SoM:

"...the School does not encourage or sponsor stormchasing, but that students, as private citizens, are free to do so outside of their school activities."

I don't think a lot of people at OU realize what the school truly thinks about chasing, and that when people like Jeff and myself go out, it is on our own time and not affiliated with OU. We just happen to be students here.

So, when I talk to her next week, she is going to be enlightened to all of this, and hopefully it will not be screwed up when the article is written.

[Jeff Snyder]

However, the reality at OU is that the School of Meteorology frowns upon students' storm chasing, unless it is done for research purposes with an OU professor (such as Dr. Bluestein's UMass group). But since we, as students, are adults in a free country, we are free to do whatever we want, so the department will not prohibit students from chasing. Here's a quote from Dr. Fred Carr, the director of the SoM:



Melissa,
Does OU SoM really frown on storm chasing or are they just saying they do not endorse it? I understood the "official" stance as not supporting storm chasing, though not saying that they don't condone storm chasing... LOL if that makes sense... So they aren't supporting it but they aren't discouraging it ... I'd imagine that the only real reason why they don't support it is for legality / liability purposes... College of Dupage does do chasing trips and a class for college credit, and I've seen the Texas AM or Texas Tech "teams" out there. I wonder how those schools deal with liability issues?

[Melissa Moon]

Also, though I see how it is bothersome to some of you that she only seems to want to interview students, and I totally understand, but I can also see why someone from the OU Daily wants to talk to primarily students about chasing (or really, anything for that matter).

It's because the OU Daily is a student newspaper primarily concered with the affairs of students at OU, so therefore the Daily is more concerned with what students have to say about a given topic rather than non-students. They're just trying to stay within to their target audience (fellow students). I know a few people who have written for the OUDaily, and based on hearing what they have to say, I think that the Daily believes that by featuring students in the student newspaper rather than members of the community-at-large, they feel that it will engage the typical reader more, because the story involves a peer who breathes and walks on the same campus.

Now, if this was the Daily Oklahoman doing this article, I would be concerned and upset if the author only wanted to talk to OU students, because that paper's target-reader is different and more diverse; the community as a whole rather than just the OU population. It would therefore be extremely one-sided for the typical reader of a paper such as the Daily Oklahoman to jsut read about OU students. But not for the OUDaily, because it is a completely different paper from a completely different place targeting a completely different audience.

[Melissa Moon]

Melissa,
Does OU SoM really frown on storm chasing or are they just saying they do not endorse it? I understood the "official" stance as not supporting storm chasing, though not saying that they don't condone storm chasing... LOL if that makes sense... So they aren't supporting it but they aren't discouraging it ... I'd imagine that the only real reason why they don't support it is for legality / liability purposes... College of Dupage does do chasing trips and a class for college credit, and I've seen the Texas AM or Texas Tech "teams" out there. I wonder how those schools deal with liability issues?

Jeff,

After being contacted about the interview late last week, I forwarded the E-mail that Brianna sent me to Dr. Carr and added a little bit of my own commentary. Here is what I said to Dr. Carr:

Dr. Carr,

Looks like the OU Daily is doing yet another story on storm chasing. I got contacted, and it looks like they want to talk to me about it. I told them that I would, and I'd rather provide them with facts regarding OU & storm chasing rather than let someone else do it who only cares about publicity associated with the newspaper.

So, this is why I am contacting you. I don't want to accidentally say anything that goes against the SoM, so aside from telling them that "the school of meteorology does not condone storm chasing" and that "when we go out, unless we're with a SoM professor doing research, we're not affiliated with OU", is there anything else I need to say/make clear?

Thanks!! Hope you have a great weekend.

Melissa



And here is how Dr. Carr responded:


Hi Melissa -
Thanks for contacting me, although I don't know if I am
replying in time. Certainly the second "..." sentence you wrote
below is true and well-stated. Rather than use the word "condone" in
the first quote below, you could say that the School does not
encourage or sponsor stormchasing, but that students, as private
citizens, are free to do so outside of their school activities.

Have fun with the interview; hope they don't mangle it too much!
Fred Carr



I guess I see it as "frown upon" since they don't encourage it...but they don't try to stop us because, well, they can't. I guess one could interpret it differently than "frown upon", so just to be safe, I'm going to tell her exactly what Dr. Carr suggested.

[KMcCallister]

The school clearly has some interest in limiting liability, therefore that "official position" is quite reasonable and sensible. But, let's be honest, I think that message is always delivered to us with that "wink wink nod nod" attitude of understanding. Met professors are weather weenies too, and they certainly understand the passion involved in our weather hobbies.

[Blake W. Naftel]

Jeff Snyder writes:

<< College of Dupage does do chasing trips and a class for college credit, and I've seen the Texas AM or Texas Tech "teams" out there. I wonder how those schools deal with liability issues? >>

While I cannot speak for Paul Sirvatka and the COD crew personally; these issues were discussed over dinner (Paul, myself, and several other friends) this past March. I was curious as to how COD handled student liability issues during class field trips and the now "public" chase tour COD offers. Paul stated that all students sign a liability wavier form; very similar to what some (legally adhering) storm chase tour companies do; where the professors/department and college will not be held liable if an individual(s) are injured and or if death is caused by atmospheric forces/traffic accidents. All students/participating staff are required to sign a legal waiver and release prior to enrollment in the course; alas, participants are voluntarily taking the course, understand the risks involved; and really its up to participants/and staff members to insure safety; yet are not held accountable should tragedy strike.

I am required by law to sign a similar waiver and release annually while working on board Tempest Tours as a driver/guide. A typical release would contain the following:

"I am aware that storm chasing is a hazardous activity and has certain inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to, death or bodily injury due to traffic accidents; severe weather conditions such as hail, lightning, rain, flooding, flying debris, and tornadoes. I am voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge of the danger involved and hereby agree to accept any and all risks of injury or death."

Sounds scary; but if one is driving for students, tour guests, etc... this is the typical format of waiver one would be required to have/and sign.

..Blake..

[Roger Graham]

Ok, I was on the 2002 article featuring tornado chasers. At the time...if you folks remember, 2002 was a SLOW YEAR...I know a lot more about "chasing" now and the "chaser caravans" were not a problem to me at the time, or I would have said something positive about chaser more than the article allowed. In my article I stated that professors did recommend chasing...and I think they do in a "*wink wink nod nod*" way (not mentioned in the paper, but a prof did say he would like us to chase...not going to post his name on here). I don't consider myself a poser (not that anyone was...) and anyone that knows me well enough knows I have a rep for doing the right thing when I'm chasing and knowing what to physically chase i.e. not chasing gustnados, rfd poopoo ect...Feedback on an article that only took snipits of the conversation and to put it into print and being over-analized 2 years later is a little unfair to me I think. I welcome any feedback on this subject and I'll answer any question you have about the article.

[Melissa Moon]

FYI...they're not doing the article anymore. Basically, the editor found out that storm chasing was an overdone topic this year, so the gal writing it contacted me and told me that she was changing the story to something else.