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From the AccuWeather link:

"AccuWeather feels that this forecast is virtually useless."

I'm sorry, but they are putting themselves out of business with that statement right there. They have already been under the gun for their practices and this will only serve to further light that fire. AccuWeather's actions lately have exposed themselves.

No one in their right mind can say that Houston/Galveston has a 90% chance of hurricane-force winds. What about the people on the LA/TX border who are now directly in the path of the storm? Are they so confident in themselves on the path of Rita that such areas have such a low chance of receiving such winds?

Quite frankly, it is my informed opinion that AccuWeather's products and forecasts are useless. Bastardi may occasionally provide some useful insight, but that's about it.

</soapbox>

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Here's the problem, as I see it.

Accuweather has consistently lobbied to get the federal government OUT of the weather business. Including MARINE weather. This is an issue that has been on the spotlight for boaters for the last two years, in that Santorum, who just happens to represent the state where AW is based, has introduced and is pushing HARD legislation that would make it ILLEGAL for the government to provide any weather service which a private company is also willing to provide.

The most notable impact that has been identified of this passing would be the NOAA marine forecasts, which are CRITICAL to boating interests.

But this could ALSO reach into the NHC, and were it to do so, it would be CATASTROPHIC.

I do not agree with much of the NHC's reasoning at times, BUT to start this sort of thing that Accuweather has been promoting is exceedingly dangerous. If there is one proper function that government has, it is providing for the safety and protection of its citizens when whatever is under question affects all of them without regard to geographic or political boundaries.

Such is the case for the weather.

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