I just don't understand reporters who stand out in 100 mile wind

[Blue_Roses]

to "point and show" what is going on. This guy on CNN --not Anderson Cooper, he's another one--is outside talking about the siding of this concrete building that he is standing OUTSIDE next to is coming apart. He can feel the building swaying. Why WHY, do they do this?

:shrug:

[RevCheesehead]

1. So we can see the first live casualty on national TV?

Imagine the ratings. :eyes:

(I agree with you)

[RaleighNCDUer]

17. Like in "Day After Tomorrow"

when the reporter in LA is taken out by a flying billboard.

There is no line between entertainment and news anymore, whatsoever.

[onager]

21. That was my favorite scene in "Day After Tomorrow..."

...for 2 reasons:

1. The reporter worked for Fox News.

2. He was flattened by an Angelyne billboard. Angelyne is a Los Angeles personality who is basically famous because she decided to make herself famous. Otherwise the woman has no discernible talent. She tools around in a hot-pink Corvette and must be near the legal age to enter a nursing home. There used to be a website devoted to Angelyne Sightings.

[kikiek]

2. I was thinking the same thing. Is it worth a head injury for?

[Spinzonner]

3. Hazing ritual

[SteppingRazor]

4. Because they're told to and it's their job?

As for the guys who tell them to do that, they tell them because they think it makes for compelling TV.

[JHB]

5. "Paying dues"

They see it as paying their dues on their way to anchor- or Washington-grade megabucks.

[underpants]

6. DID GERALDO GO DOWN YET????

HE barely escaped death's evil clutch earlier this year.

WE NEED GERALDO UPDATES!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hubert Flottz]

10. Geraldo is busy looking for Bin Laden so he can whoop on his...

head!

[CitrusLib]

7. $$$ They get paid a salary to accept assignments.

Not to mention they're crazy as batshit.

[livetohike]

8. They are told to do it by their producers!

Last night Aaron Brown "slipped" and told a story about when he was a reporter on hurricane coverage. He said he was in South Carolina (maybe during Hugo?) and he wanted to take cover and his producer told him, "You don't look nearly wet enough!".

Sad. So someone else determines whether your life is in danger?

[Hubert Flottz]

9. He's doing all that in the studio!

He really isn't there!

[FloridaPat]

11. They get the thrill of a lifetime and get paid for it.

They just explained it on MSNBC - "discourages people at home not to go out in the wind:.

[XOKCowboy]

12. "Give Us Dirty Laundry"

That Eagle's song really rings true.

[Roland99]

13. WDSU anchor to reporter:

"How are you able to stand up in the kind of wind?"

[calico1]

14. I remember Brian Williams doing that.

I think it was last year (?). He was barely hanging on. In these high winds a piece of wood, a board, anything could come flying toward them. Its a miracle none of them have gotten killed. I don't need to see a reporter hanging on for dear life to believe that the storm is really bad!

[ps1074]

15. I think it might not be their choice to be there

The boss says 'go out there or we will be very disappointed' and you go...

[sui generis]

16. it's the same thing as at the beginning of the iraq war`

yet another "embedded" reporter bobble head jouncing across the desert on the tailgate of a truck in his or her smart khaki "desert" gear

buncha whistle asses

[TahitiNut]

18. How many residents stay around due to these reporters' examples?

I think the real downside to this is the portrayal of adventure and excitement -- and being part of 'history' -- that the cable stations create in the miniscule minds of some of the less sophisticated. When they interviewed the LSU students, the students clearly strutted and preened. When evacuation is solicited, the side-show freaks on cable are a very poor influence.

[Lorien]

24. Excellent point, TahitiNut

I know of one of my neighbors who went outside during hurricane Charley because he figured that if it were safe enough for reporters, it was fine for him. He scrambled back in when a nearly 2' diameter tree limb flew past him. :eyes:

[KoKo]

19. It's a thrill and a rush for some folks. Like Bungee Jumping, Sky Diving.

I don't think their bosses make them do it. They volunteer because they just love it.

The crews seem to be able to scout out the most protected places for them and maybe they ham it up sometimes. :shrug: Not the kind of thing I'd ever want to do....though. :eyes:

[Blue_Roses]

20. Oh good grief

this idiot on FOX is standing in water up to the tops of his legs:crazy: while he is being blown around and another is barely able to stand up while being blown around with 80-90 mile winds.

What a bunch of idiots!

[Blue_In_AK]

22. They like the rarified air

It's an adrenaline rush.

[Lorien]

23. Those people piss me off

if they get into trouble they'll expect help; anyone who has the chance NOT to be there should take it. Set up remote cameras if they need to see what's going on, but get the people out! First responders shouldn't be put at risk by idiot reporters putting themselves in harms way for ratings. There are people who ARE truly stuck there, and they don't need the competition for aid!