What Makes Our Tornado and Extreme Weather Coverage -- and This Blog -- Different?

You might have seen these:

The forecasts and warnings that I make are mine. Forecasts presented on this blog usually take 1 to 3 hours and, in the case of storm warnings on Twitter -- since they must be quick -- several minutes. Of course, you see that I also forward warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS). On occasion, I disagree with their warnings. Those I do not forward. I may write about them later, but I don't want to make a big deal about it at the time and add to any confusion during an important storm situation. 

So, since none of our forecasts and warnings are automations, the above change in Twitter's policy does not affect what you will see on Twitter from the @usweatherexpert account.

While I realize there is "storm fatigue" after all of the tornadoes of late April and early May, it is important to realize all of those forecasts and warnings save lives. I'm pleased to say that every one of the "thank you for saving my family's lives" (an actual Twitter direct message in April) is valued more than I can state. 

Of course, meteorologists saving lives is also the subject of my book. While there were some misses and mis-operated radars, I give the NWS credit as they have done a nice job with almost all of the storms this spring. Please also keep in mind that broadcast meteorologists put in an incredible number of hours the past month. 

So, while I want the stories on this blog to always be thought-provoking and engaging, I realize that reading about storms 1000 miles away might not always be. However, the #1 goal of Mike Smith Enterprises, LLC since its creation, and this blog since its first day in November, 2009, is saving lives, making my readers' lives safer and better, and improving the functioning of businesses and society-at-large. 

Finally, 2024 is an election year. I have had commenters recently complain about me writing about "politics." Actually, I have near zero interest in "politics" which is defined as "the art and science of influencing voters and public opinion." 

As a taxpayer, I have a huge interest in the functioning of government, especially as it relates to our rights as Americans. Consider this statement made last week by a global warming alarmist:

Does it sound like this person is primarily interested in modulating the mean temperature of the earth? 

Or, this person, a climate scientist-- who posted this earlier today.

Or is it, as I have been warning, primarily about power and money? And speaking of money, I have read -- over and over -- we need to "begin" fixing global warming. My question is, "The world's governments have already spent more than $5 trillion on global warming and that does not include what has been spent by the private sector. What more of a start do you want?!" The inevitable conclusion is, of course, this isn't about climatology at all.

For the first time in American history, our government has become downright dangerous to ordinary citizens. For example: The Supreme Court has told the President he cannot excuse collegiate debt but the President does so any way. Sadly, that is just one example.

Our local newspaper today recommended our governor use the "nuclear option" (editorial writer's term) to make Medicaid expansion a reality in Kansas. Even though the legislature refuses to pass a law to allow for it, he encourages Governor Kelly to proclaim, "Today, we're expanding Medicaid!" as if she were a Queen rather than a Governor having sworn to "protect and defend" the Constitutions of the United States and Kansas. 

The writer further says Kansans not currently covered will receive healthcare "almost entirely paid for by the federal government." Hmm. Isn't that the same federal government that is $36 trillion in debt -- with another trillion of debt being added to the deficit every five months?! From where is this extra money going to come? Do we want our currency to become worthless? Doesn't anyone inside the D.C. Beltway or inside of Topeka's I-70/470 loop think through the ultimate consequences of these actions?

But more than the money, the -- by far -- more important point is the increasing, "I want what I want" attitude of many in Washington and state capitals -- regardless of the law. Do these people realize how incredibly dangerous this is? Since 1789, the United States has been amazingly successful because we were a "nation of laws." The danger introduced by giving up the rule of law best explained by one of my favorite movies, A Man For All Seasons, which is the story of Saint Sir Thomas Moore, who was martyred for opposing the remarriage of King Henry VIII in Britain. We'll close with a clip. Listen closely. Please think this issue through -- now -- before it is too late. Thank you for reading.