FALSE REPORTS FROM UNEXPERIENCED CHASERS

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jason Boggs
  • Start date Start date
Ooooooooor maybe not... I just hollered at him via YouTube to connect on Facebook. He replied and as it turns out, guy and his crew have a whole operation going on. He never mentioned this to me otherwise I wouldn't have said a word. Still scraping my jaw off the floor... at least I was right about being enthusiastic :D

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Storm-Chasers-and-Researchers/78453027433

I didn't push send yet.... I have about 9-10 sentences:
Are you genuinely interested in actual chasing? My comment before may have come off as a complete douche and I apologize for that. But I have been watching your videos for some time now and your perception of what is happening to what you think is happening is way off base. I have been chasing for 13 years and I started somewhat like you. I went on my first chase in 1998 with my dad and my grandpa (You can see it in my videos) I don't know if you know of me, have seen my videos, my web page, or anything but I would be completely willing to give you some direction online and in the field if you want it. Your families and your enthusiasm are to be admired, but you are getting excited 90% of the time over nothing. I can't begin to imagine the actual joy you would get when you actually SEE a live without a doubt tornado, or get in a big hail core, or see amazing structure(that you have done, your June 18th video of that shelf was amazing). Point is I have seen you out in the field before in your explorer (I think) with all your lights running when you are no where near the storm and I don't feel that is appropriate. However I am not the chasing police and can't tell you how to run your vehicle/lights but most in the chasing community have issues with the running of light bars outside of low visibility situations. Long story short I am willing to answer questions you may have since you from the looks of it you seem to have a passion for storm chasing that many of us possess. All we need to do is to fine tune it! If you don't want anything to do with me or are satisfied with what you know and your experiences then I am sorry for bugging you with this. Either way, shoot me back.

Danny Neal
www.northernilstormchaser.com
I know of his "team" but figured this would be worth a shot any how.... "Slogan: We report, you go hide!

If the lights are flashing, to the storm we're dashing!" <~~~~~ I have to admit this made me laugh a lil ;)
 
I find it funny that he has a concept for a TIV of his own. Bellow is a concept painting of their proposed TIV. Surely this is just a joke but a couple of posts on their wall of their Facebook page suggest otherwise.

11835_168093422433_78453027433_2793087_6744973_n.jpg


Supposedly according to their Facebook profile they have spoken to a middle school.

MIDSCAR's Facebook Wall said:
As MIDSCAR"S mom, I am proud of a kid who is asked to come to the Middle School and present what he knows about lightning, so impressing the teacher and principal that they contact the news station and they do a news feature on him. Kid knows his stuff and CONTINUES to look for ways to improve his knowledge base. He also encourages everyone interested to do the same. As a teacher, I love people being encouraged to be life-long learners!

MIDSCAR's level of training is, in their own words....

MIDSCAR's Facebook wall post said:
Due to there being so many new fans to our page, we want to make clear what our knowledge base is. 3 members a basic skywarn spotter trained. Along with that, 2 members are advanced skywarn spotter trained. We also have 2 members CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) certified with more to come in the near future. 3 members attend the National Storm Chaser Convention every year.
 
I think its awesome if the kid really wants to learn. However with his discussions and posts on TVN, Facebook, youtube about an building intercept vehicle with the level of knowledge he and his team currently has I smell a potential distaster or worse, death. He does seem to be passionate about weather but I think he's putting the cart before the horse. The question for us, do we offer help or guidance or stay as far away as possible?
 
I find it funny that he has a concept for a TIV of his own. Bellow is a concept painting of their proposed TIV. Surely this is just a joke but a couple of posts on their wall of their Facebook page suggest otherwise.

11835_168093422433_78453027433_2793087_6744973_n.jpg

That photo is straight offa used-car dealer's website. Might as well be a Kenworth or Bugatti Veyron than this Blazer. Not to flagellate a deceased equine, but this unfocused enthusiasm and embellishment doesn't do the chaser community any good.
 
It's amazing how the internet has changed society; now you can build your resume and then later on, if you want to, go out and actually make it true. I do miss the days when people just went out there, started chasing, and after a few years when they started learning, THEN you heard of them. I can't count how many new "chasers" we have with excellent websites, gadgets, vehicles, and support teams....and no tornadoes. I said years ago there would never be another Tim Marshall, or Jim Leonard, or Jeff Piotrowski, or Gene Moore. Man was I right.

Hey, I think I just stumbled onto another topic for tonight's show. I'd put the link here, but to be frank, I value the ST majority about as much as they value me.
 
Oh...man...this thread got really entertaining...even of slightly of topic with TIVs. But it does show some of the inexperience mindset of some. I do wonder if the photoshop image will make 'hamsexy', although I don't know if that person is a ham op.
 
Danny, what became of your attempt to contact this fellow?
Basically he asked ME if I wanted to join HIM on a chase this year.... Said he and his team had a plan and were holding off on their TIV idea for more funding and that he respects me more for PMing him. He said he hopes to see me out there this year lol. I simply replied back, "Have fun, be safe, and if you ever change your mind please don't hesitate to email me." I guess he has his own thing and could care less about become in the main chasing loop. I noticed he lashed out at Chad Cowan on his facebook page, questioning if he ever chased before or something so, I dunno.
 
I think its awesome if the kid really wants to learn. However with his discussions and posts on TVN, Facebook, youtube about an building intercept vehicle with the level of knowledge he and his team currently has I smell a potential distaster or worse, death. He does seem to be passionate about weather but I think he's putting the cart before the horse. The question for us, do we offer help or guidance or stay as far away as possible?

I offered assistance, he seemed like he didn't want it. It was more of a "Thanks for offering but we know what we are doing" type of response.
 
It's pretty sad that kids with very little experience want to build an intercept vehicle to drive into tornadoes. However, that's the new mindset with the next generation of chasers. Due to the SPC, spotter network, and other various resources, new chasers don't have to learn any forecasting skills...they just dream of driving into a tornado for all it's glory so they can be the next Sean Casey or Reed Timmer! :rolleyes:

EDIT: I'm sure glad it wasn't like this when I started out. Storm chasing was pursued for the passion, not the recognition.
 
EDIT: I'm sure glad it wasn't like this when I started out. Storm chasing was pursued for the passion, not the recognition.

That's exactly why IMO storm chasing has become at least somewhat of a fad. Like you, I feel that many of these people lack passion which means sooner or later they will get sick of chasing when the recognition doesn't come like they think/hope it will...
 
Either their "team" has an excellent publicist or people are really that stupid. They've managed to gain quite a load of groupies it seems. That scares me. I too have thought about if I should offer advice or stay far away. Right now I'm leaning towards staying far away. I only help those who ask for it. It seems chiming in randomly with advice never works these days.
 
That photo is straight offa used-car dealer's website. Might as well be a Kenworth or Bugatti Veyron than this Blazer. Not to flagellate a deceased equine, but this unfocused enthusiasm and embellishment doesn't do the chaser community any good.

That picture he took off the used car dealers site is of one of his chase vehicles when he baught it. I am pretty sure it is this one.


Is his facebook page a fan page or what. I'm trying to find him on there with little success.

I'm interested in moitoring his progress....

Yes it is a fan page.
 
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