Who is bobbie cookie?

[Heidi Farrar]

I almost started this thread yesterday afternoon/evening because it was bugging me (as several of you know). I'm guessing FFFFEEEEFFEFEFEFE or whatevertheheck it was and, uh, bobbie cookie, are the same person. Oh, and Wes Luginbyhl was on those storms in west Texas the other day when fefefefee was reporting rope(s) and Wes did not have the same report. I don't have anything else to say that you guys haven't already said, but glad to know that everyone has the same opinion on the matter.

 

[Bart_Comstock]

On a similar note I was chasing in texas earlier this year with Chris Wilburn and while on our way home the day after the storm I got this email...

From: J D ((email withheld for privacy reasons)) Title: Poser Date: Thu, May 15, 2008 at 12:55 PM
"FYI, if i were you, I would get out of the area soon. Your teen antics and false report were not taken lightly last night. Word gets around fast. Thanks to you, and many other idiots like you, the SN will likely be pulling the ability to post storm reports on the screen. Your KNWA station was also contacted, and is apparently not too happy with your claim of representing them in your SN icon. Go back to Arkansas and learn something before wanting to play chaser. We take it seriously here. Safe travels. : )"

...I called my station as soon as i finished reading the message and they had informed me that no one had called them and this was the only complaint I had received on my reports which coincided with Chris's as well as other spotter that were in the area. My station tried to get in contact with the person to find out what had happened and we never got a response. I haven't yet ever had a problem since then nor have I ever had a complaint such as this. I did once receive a email from someone who said they were watching me on radar and wanted to inform me there was a lot of "pink" to my north and if I was looking for hail he thought some would be there, lol.

 

[Laura Hedien]

Considering all the wheels that start turning when a TOR WARN is issued based on a "credible" spotter- warnings, TV notices, ESDA, RACES, etc.... I would hope this taken seriously. Plus all the legit spotters/chasers that are out there should take exception to this person making false reports because this person also represents them.
I would hope this is followed up on.
Laura

 

[Tyler Allison]

We got a response from "cookie". needless to say he doesn't know what he is doing and was trying to be helpful.

I hope to announce some major improvements with the SN in the next 60 days that will hopefully greatly reduce these kinds of occurrences in the 2009 storm season.

 

[Laura Hedien]

We got a response from "cookie". needless to say he doesn't know what he is doing and was trying to be helpful.quote]

HMM.. I think I'll throw the flag on this one... (the B.S. flag).
Someone who made those reports knows what they were talking about and is trying to do some damage control after the fact.
Perhaps provide the info to the NWS and let them decide what is best to do with this person?
Someone with that much knowledge should really know better and "I was just trying to be helpful" doesn't cut it.
Laura

 

[Joey Ketcham]

We got a response from "cookie". needless to say he doesn't know what he is doing and was trying to be helpful.quote]

HMM.. I think I'll throw the flag on this one... (the B.S. flag).
Someone who made those reports knows what they were talking about and is trying to do some damage control after the fact.
Perhaps provide the info to the NWS and let them decide what is best to do with this person?
Someone with that much knowledge should really know better and "I was just trying to be helpful" doesn't cut it.
Laura

I agree, the person is obviously knowledgable enough to know what the Spotter Network is and what to say for making reports. The person was caught and is now backtracking, I agree.. send it over to the NWS.

 

[rdale]

I'm no legal expert - but he didn't make those false reports to the NWS like the guy last year did... He made them to SpotterNetwork, and since that's not a government agency I'm not sure the same legal ramifications would apply?

 

[Shane Adams]

I'm no legal expert - but he didn't make those false reports to the NWS like the guy last year did... He made them to SpotterNetwork, and since that's not a government agency I'm not sure the same legal ramifications would apply?

And therein lies the problem. We're so advanced and networked these days, it's too easy for anyone who cares enough to click a few buttons and "get involved". SN not being a government agency is a great excuse for anyone to try and be a hero, because as Rob points out, it's not the same thing as messing with the government. Technology has handed people like "cookie" the ability to do anything they want, if they have access to a computer.

I think the ideas behind SN/severe studios (when they were legit), and all those other "outreach" programs are noble, but the reality is the backlash is just as bad if not worse. I mean, don't you all expect these kinds of things now that we're all tied together with a rope out there? I don't see the purpose of having a pages-long thread every time something negative happens, when the whole damn system is now hardwired for this exact thing. This is no different than youtube and chasers complaining about videos being stolen.

When you send a signal to outer space, don't be upset when the reply isn't friendly.

 

[Clarence Bennett]

Another example...I just popped up SN and see a funnel cloud report in Hardeman County, TN. There is no severe weather anywhere in the Mid-State other than a few spotty showers. No warnings, no nothing...

 

[Steve Miller TX]

HMM.. I think I'll throw the flag on this one... (the B.S. flag).
Someone who made those reports knows what they were talking about and is trying to do some damage control after the fact.
Perhaps provide the info to the NWS and let them decide what is best to do with this person?
Someone with that much knowledge should really know better and "I was just trying to be helpful" doesn't cut it.
Laura

I agree. Letting this person slide for such a serious offense broadcasts a message that it's all fun and games and if you get caught, just feign innocence. This "cookie" fella should be made an example of by being held accountable and suffering the full consequences of his actions. THAT will send the appropriate message to others with the same idea and make them think twice.

 

[David Drummond]

I am with Steve on that. Someone pulls obvious BS like that, they should immediately be banned from the system in all ways possible.

Then again, I thought that about chasers stealing other chasers content here on ST too, and we all know how that went.

 

[Benjamin Rock]

I have to agree with everyone. I think "cookie" should be banned from using the system as well. Unfortunately, unless it can be done on an IP level, "cookie" may show up as "doughboy" or "pie" or whatever other user name and it's back into the thick of things. Also, it is unfortunate that there are people out there who would rather cause a panic and cry wolf rather than say "oops, I made a mistake" then dont let it happen again. My brother in law is an attorney and i asked him what could be done. He simply said "ban the guy from the system. Nothing the government can do since it is not a recognized government affiliate. If the NWS uses info from the SN site to issue warnings, the fault falls on them." Now I did not agree with him 100%but he has a good point. That is why there are redundancies in place. It's just a sad state of affairs..

 

[Shane Adams]

I've tackled this issue on my blog, for anyone who's interested. Some of you will love it and others will hate it.

 

[MatthewCarman]

Another example...I just popped up SN and see a funnel cloud report in Hardeman County, TN. There is no severe weather anywhere in the Mid-State other than a few spotty showers. No warnings, no nothing...

Was it located near a shower? I thought funnel clouds were possible with showers? I also heard from a friend that she once saw a funnel cloud on a clear day. I have no idea if a cloud formation could become a funnel cloud with no storm associated with it but I have seen reports before where conditions were favorable for weak funnel clouds associated with any shower that popped up. Sorry for going off-topic I just need some more clarification.

 

[Clarence Bennett]

Was it located near a shower? I thought funnel clouds were possible with showers? I also heard from a friend that she once saw a funnel cloud on a clear day. I have no idea if a cloud formation could become a funnel cloud with no storm associated with it but I have seen reports before where conditions were favorable for weak funnel clouds associated with any shower that popped up. Sorry for going off-topic I just need some more clarification.

As soon as I saw the report, I checked the radar and there was one small little shower with a 4,000 ft top. I think someone jumped the gun on some low hanging clouds...