Those of you who so enjoy flaming the people who are attempting to further their knowledge base and develop interpretive and forecasting skills need a reality check. Many off-campus MSU students already hold a 4 year journalism degree and are currently working on-air in television. They also work 50 + hours a week and are trying to balance a life outside of TV as well as academic pursuits.

Those of you with traditional, accredited 4 yr. science degrees may have a greater depth and scope of meteorological knowledge, but your communication and on-air skills ( if any ) are so lacking, your intended message never reaches your target. How many of you spend 10 hours or more a week, as well as 100's of dollars, to identify your on-air strengths and weaknesses ? Do you have a great face for radio, or perhaps an Elmer Fudd voice? Maybe the fashion police should charge you with a felony for wearing that belt with your suspenders. Are these superficial criticisms ? Of course. In an on-air position do they detract from your message ? You're only fooling yourself if you think they don't. Would you have any idea where you could seek professional help to improve in these areas ? Do you recognize their importance ? Are you willing to accept the primary function of television, that of entertainment ? Are you willing to expend as much time and expense on your communication skills as you have on your formal education ? Can you use the medium to report a science related story in a relevant, factually accurate, informative AND entertaining fashion ? Do you know what an IFB is? Can you write for television ? Can you connect with the viewer ?

Most weathercaster's respect AMS defined meteorologist's for their scientific knowledge and ability, but do these meteorologists give due credit for the skills and abilities the weathercaster's have developed and polished ? Who says you have to be a certified meteorologist before you can present the weather on-air, and not vice-versa ?

I understand the meteorologists frustration when a weathercaster gets the job they may have been more scientifically trained for, but it seems to me to be nothing more than sour grapes when I see these attacks on weathercasters. In closing please ponder these questions: Do you think it necessary for your local news anchor to hold a degree in Macroeconomics in order to effectively communicate the economic impact NAFTA has had on a local supplier/manufacturer for the auto industry ? Do you trust that this person has thoroughly researched this story ?

Is it possible we can find some common ground and mutual respect ? I'd sure like to think so.......

Please withhold my name and e-mail address.