Babies First Chase?

[beaudodson]

http://towerofstorms.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2524

http://towerofstorms.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2526


One of the chaser's posted these images today in their blog. Dramatic and great shots.

 

[Gerrit Gulden]

I imagine once the word gets out about these photos people will have something to say like they did when the crocodile hunter held his baby while roping a gator. I dont see how this could be good for Jim Ladue. The first picture shows the tornado a good distance away. Then the second photo shows the tornado just seconds away. I imagine if the press gets ahold of these there will be a huge "negative response towards the chaser community" hopefully not tho.

-gerrit

 

[Tim Shriver]

I imagine if the press gets ahold of these there will be a huge "negative response towards the chaser community" hopefully not tho.

-gerrit

I agree, thats no place for a baby. Too close for comfort for an adult
let alone putting a child at risk. I wouldn't be that,,,whats the word I'm looking for, careless?

Tim

 

[Gary Stofer]

I agree, thats no place for a baby. Too close for comfort for an adult
let alone putting a child at risk. I wouldn't be that,,,whats the word I'm looking for, careless?

Tim

I'm sure thats what child protective services will think when they see this. Just astounding.

 

[Jason Foster]

Not Good

I just hope it wasn't a situation of that they couldn't find a baby sitter, and rather than not go chasing, they took the baby along.

I too don't agree with the situation of bringing such a young child along. I personally will likely sit out a season or two to focus my attention on the raising my children (when the time comes). Children should always be a priority over storms and chasing.

Just a really bad idea all around in my opinion.

 

[rdale]

Stop whining everyone... More babies have been killed by parents not taking them to appropriate shelter in a tornado than have been killed while storm chasing.

CPS is not going to investigate.

 

[Tim Shriver]

Stop whining everyone... More babies have been killed by parents not taking them to appropriate shelter in a tornado than have been killed while storm chasing.

CPS is not going to investigate.

Not whinning, just saying what I would or would not do as a parent..

Besides, its my right to whine..

Tim

 

[rdale]

Not saying everyone is whining - it's just that there's nothing there that stands out as cruelty to children. My youngest saw her first tornado at 4. I don't know Jim, but I'm sure you are all familiar with sitting through his training from the WDTB, and I have to imagine he's smart enough to not put his family in harms way. It was NOT a fast moving or changing tornado yesterday. So say "good job for bagging a tornado Jim" not "I'm scared for you being near a tornado with a child"

 

[Karen Politte]

The first picture shows the tornado a good distance away. Then the second photo shows the tornado just seconds away.
-gerrit

LOL.

Well I'm sure as hell not going to comment on the subject matter - but I would like to point out that you've become a victim of telephoto lenses and perspective. The tornado is barely any closer (if at all) in the second photo from the first - all you are seeing is a flattened depth of field because the photographer has zoomed in some more. Rest assured - that big, bad tornado is not about to come and "get" them.

Maybe we could turn this into a depth-of-field/perspective thread and avoid the flames??

KP

 

[Andy Kula]

I equate this to taking your kids to your laboratory to show them what you do, studying /teaching about tornadoes and weather. I'm more concerned about parents leaving their kids on an athletic field during a thunderstorm. If there is a concern, it would be the "situation awareness" issues involved with babies and kids diverting your attention from the storm while driving or photographing, and the fear a child may develop. However, my kids are scared watching TV during storms and hearing all the weather terms being thrown out there these days. Ultimately, it's a personal choice. As long as they are not reckless, this shouldn't be an issue. I've seen two videos the last few days that really concerned me, so hopefully they did not have their children with them.

 

[beaudodson]

I think the bigger risk is lightning. Either way I am sure that Jim knew what he was doing. There are risks in everything.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061127103140AAkN1om&show=7

"In the US in 2005, roughly 119 people died in traffic accidents per day, including pedestrian victims. Roughly 3000 people die in traffic accidents daily around the world, though this number is not very reliable due to the statistical methods in third world and heavily rural countries."


Statistics for babies that have died while "chasing" a tornado = 0.

 

[Shane Adams]

Reading this thread and seeing how people reacted to the "closeness" of the tornado in the zoomed-in shot, it's painfully easy to understand how all these "I'm only 100 yards away!!" reports have become so common. Chasers suck at measuring distance, and always err to the side of drama.

As for all the bashing about Jim and Daphne's parenting skills, I'm surprised at all of you. I'd wager any of you lot would put a baby in a car and take them driving...far more dangerous than seasoned veteran chasers, with a slow-moving storm, with great escape routes, and awesome visibility, having their kiddo along while they stand and enjoy Nature.

The self-righteousness of some of you on here continues to set new standards of amazement for me.

 

[Gabe Garfield]

Jim and Daphne Ladue are some of the most responsible chasers out there. Between the two of them, they have probably 25 or 30 years of chase experience. I daresay they know what they are doing. Please don't jump to conclusions.

 

[Jim Saueressig]

Reading this thread and seeing how people reacted to the "closeness" of the tornado in the zoomed-in shot, it's painfully easy to understand how all these "I'm only 100 yards away!!" reports have become so common. Chasers suck at measuring distance, and always err to the side of drama.

I often get annoyed by the yell of "its 20 feet away.. its a hundred yards away (try a mile dude)" etc.

As for all the bashing about Jim and Daphne's parenting skills, I'm surprised at all of you. I'd wager any of you lot would put a baby in a car and take them driving...far more dangerous than seasoned veteran chasers, with a slow-moving storm, with great escape routes, and awesome visibility, having their kiddo along while they stand and enjoy Nature.

My kids have been with me on a few occasions but I also don't get very close at all with them riding along. I can assure you that the parents smoking with their children in the room are putting them at far greater risk than I.

The self-righteousness of some of you on here continues to set new standards of amazement for me.

 

[Dann Cianca]

If I ever have children, you can bet they'll be strapped to my back as I'm Jim Reedin' it into a landspout!

As my girlfriend once said concerning taking kids storm chasing:

"Not now honey, mommy's core-punching." ... I knew she was the one for me.