Storm chasers fight accusations of bad behavior as “chasertainment" comes of age

[mikegeukes]

[h=1]Storm chasers fight accusations of bad behavior as “chasertainment" comes of age[/h]
http://www.examiner.com/article/sto...of-bad-behavior-as-chasertainment-come-of-age

 

[Rob H]

[h=1]Storm chasers fight accusations of bad behavior as “chasertainment" comes of age[/h]
http://www.examiner.com/article/sto...of-bad-behavior-as-chasertainment-come-of-age

It would be difficult to argue with many of the points included, but I got really sick of reading "Powers said" at the start of every paragraph. That article did nothing to explain who the hell Mike Powers is, and why he's an expert on the world of chasing. It comes off as just another dig from spotters towards chasers, which detracts from the real issues in chasing. I'd love to see an interview with real chasers that are easily recognizable.

 

[Andy Wehrle]

It's by Warren Faidley, ST member and arguably at one time the popular "face" of commercial chasing himself.

 

[Sean Ramsey]

The article stays true to what Warren has been posting here for some time. On the flip side, there is a huge appetite for extreme weather these days. I watch the national evening news regularly and ABC has a segment on "Wild weather" or "Extreme Weather" every night now it seems. Last night they reported on the tornadoes in Iowa, and inexplicably showed some lighting photos from Wyoming as part of the segment as if lightning is out of the ordinary. And of course, some channels send their own chase teams out these days.

The appetite from the public and the media are driving much of the behavior of the few, frankly because it can pay off either in exposure or monetarily. I don't know if it endangers others or not, or creates copycats but the genie is out of the bottle on this and as hard as Warren is trying to put it back in, the chances are pretty low that it will reverse itself.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Mike Powers, a Dallas, Texas-based storm spotter closely followed the events from home: “...the photographer, who was not an established chaser..."

The irony here is that this Powers guy, who nobody seems to know other than Faidley, is, from his porch, discrediting a chaser (like him or not) who we have at least heard of, seen online, and met. Is that Warren just writing under a pseudonym?

 

[Ric Burney]

Seeing as I have been in Dallas county for quite some time and having been a RACES and Skywarn volunteer I can safely say I've never heard of any Mike Powers. I figured by him being chosen to be such a artful spokesman for all things related to spotting and chasing I might have heard his name at least once.

 

[Dave Gallaher]

Several amateur chasers have recently been killed or injured while chasing. This includes individuals attempting to photograph or film tornadoes in Alabama and Oklahoma.

I'm unaware of amateur chaser deaths in Alabama. Any further info? Overall, I thought it a good article.

 

[Warren Faidley]

It's by Warren Faidley, ST member and arguably at one time the popular "face" of commercial chasing himself.

Yes, I was heavily involved in the commercial end of chasing. And, as I've noted before, mixing chasing with business is difficult. But during that period, I still respected chasing and chasers. Because I was in the limelight, I knew that anything foolish I did would reflect on the chasing community. Chasers would be surprised at the amount of money I was offered at the time to do some things I felt were "over the top" and would harm the chase community.

I don't recall doing anything close to what is currently occurring - ethically and professionally. If I did, I would have been crucified. I respected what other chasers said. Things have changed now days and it seems that any bonehead chaser gets a free pass to conduct themselves like idiots without criticism. It does reflect on all of us, like it or not. I am often stunned at how many chasers (and friends) criticize the bad behavior privately, but are simply afraid to speak up in the chasing community because they are fearful of retaliation. This is exactly why we have come to this point.

I will say I've received feedback from around 50-60 people since this article went on line. The majority says this article is "overdue." This includes National Weather Service employees, law enforcement (including the Kansas Highway Patrol), volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel, other chasers / spotters and the general public.

I respect the feedback, friendly or not. I may be a chaser, but I'm still a journalist. I'm not going to spend hours defending the article or the opinions of others who had the courage to speak up.

Warren

 

[Shane Adams]

I am often stunned at how many chasers (and friends) criticize the bad behavior privately, but are simply afraid to speak up in the chasing community because they are fearful of retaliation. This is exactly why we have come to this point.

I can say with much confidence I have never fallen into this category. Bridget, Ric, and myself (along with others back in the day) did (and still occasionally do) The Debris Show, where we routinely called out idiocy and hypocrisy in chasing, sometimes paying for it with real world confrontations. I now do a "show" by myself, covering any and everything related to chasing, and I'm just as comfortable discussing controversial topics as I ever was. In fact tonight's episode will revolve around your article.

 

[Stan Rose]

I agree with the gist of the article, as Sean said it's no different than what we've heard from Warren here at ST. My criticism remains the same: who are the "elite chasers", and what percentage of them are creating the "problem"? Supposedly the 'solution' is to call people on their bad behavior, but I never see that done, at least not here (I don't spend time in the social media circles). It seems like the only one it's 'ok' to point the finger at is Reed, as if he is Voldemort. Yet I can think of some well-respected chasers who have probably influenced more people to 'get close' than he has. Any time someone else's name gets mentioned, someone is quick to point out: "No, no---I know him and He is the exception", To which the OP replies, "Oh yeah, I dodn't mean him, he's an outstanding guy..." I just don't see these complaints going anywhere unless someone is willing to define what the unacceptable behavior clearly is, and then point it out publicly, with names named (and in BIG BOLD LETTERS )

 

[Wes Carter]

Media organizations often use former professionals in a given field to provide insight that others cannot. George Stephanopolis is a prime example of this. But would Stephanopolis been a credible journalist in 1996 if he were doing a story on the presidential election? It isn't journalism if you have skin in the game. Although you make some good points, there are some things I find questionable. It reads more like an op-ed piece, located next to the political cartoons and letters to the editor. But it's a difficult pill to swallow when on your website you refer to yourself as "America's top storm chaser" and an "atmospheric bounty hunter".

I do respect your work documenting severe weather. You've done some great work. But I don't think you can call yourself a credible journalist when you are writing about people who are simply your competition.

Edit: Here is a link to the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics for context.
http://www.spj.org/pdf/ethicscode.pdf

 

[Todd Lemery]

I agree with Wes. It is easy to through darts at others, which isn't always a bad thing, but Warren seems to be doing doing it in a more or less in a political campaign style. By exaggerating how wild and out of control chasers are, while he stays above the fray tends to make every one look bad. There are, without a doubt, a few bad apples that chase. That's the case in every field you look at, from Doctors to police officers. It seems that Reed was being pointed out too, without using his name. Reed though, has many times in his chases back off when the tornado has become stronger than his vehicle can tolerate. His team is prompt in calling in tornados and they don't drive like a bat out of hell, passing on curves to get in position. If he can stay relatively safe and still provide quality video where he can actually earn a living, more power to him.
Everybody has a stake in not being portrayed as an idiot because of their love of weather. What needs to be done is for everyone of us to say something to the very few bad apples when we see them on the road. If you see someone do something stupid when you are out on the road, call them on it. Let them know that whatever unsafe acts they sure doing could hurt not only themselves, but some innocent person the come in contact with on the roadway. It also makes all chasers look like idiots. It's that that much different than an NBA player being charged with rape reflecting negatively on the entire NBA. This topic has been covered before. If a handful of idiots would reign themselves in we wouldn't have to see this on a message board any more. And Warren would not have any more material to work with

 

[StephenHenry]

"Michael Powers" is an anagram for "Polemic Re-Wash." Warren is obviously making fun of us for hashing and rehashing this subject.

 

[Stan Rose]

"Michael Powers" is an anagram for "Polemic Re-Wash." Warren is obviously making fun of us for hashing and rehashing this subject.

Well, Warren is unabashed about his written opinions--unlike you, "The Shy Penner"

 

[StephenHenry]

Perfectly executed. I got Arse Tons of laughs from that.

(Mods, sorry for OT. Just can't resist anagram jokes.)