MSNBC Storm Demo

[nuzguy]

MSNBC a few minutes ago did an outstanding demonstration of the 25-foot-high storm surge that's expected to hit New Oeleans as Katrina moves ashore. The weather specialist used a studio lighting electric lift and a tape measure stretching from the studio floor to the ceiling, and elevated the lift a few feet at a time to show the relative height at each stop. Rather difficult to accurately describe the explanation but it was a most effective demonstration of storm effects. Much better than some reports that say, "A storm surge of 25 feet is taller than your house." That is true but not nearly as graphic as the MSNBC job of explaining such a phenomenon.

Also noticing the PR flacks for oil producers are being allowed air time to preach another (not surprising) run up in oil prices because of the hurricane. Hurricanes in the past didn't create this much price pressure, but now with the companies needing every excuse to cover their tracks they weasel into every possible news availability to make their case for higher prices. Problem is, the news organizations get sucked into the scheme. Next someone will burp in Boise, and prices will be up another six cents.

 

[EnergyAZ]

Our local NBC affil here in Detroit, WDIV, just did the exact same thing two minutes into the newscast.

> MSNBC a few minutes ago did an outstanding demonstration of
> the 25-foot-high storm surge that's expected to hit New
> Oeleans as Katrina moves ashore. The weather specialist
> used a studio lighting electric lift and a tape measure
> stretching from the studio floor to the ceiling, and
> elevated the lift a few feet at a time to show the relative
> height at each stop. Rather difficult to accurately
> describe the explanation but it was a most effective
> demonstration of storm effects. Much better than some
> reports that say, "A storm surge of 25 feet is taller than
> your house." That is true but not nearly as graphic as the
> MSNBC job of explaining such a phenomenon.
>
> Also noticing the PR flacks for oil producers are being
> allowed air time to preach another (not surprising) run up
> in oil prices because of the hurricane. Hurricanes in the
> past didn't create this much price pressure, but now with
> the companies needing every excuse to cover their tracks
> they weasel into every possible news availability to make
> their case for higher prices. Problem is, the news
> organizations get sucked into the scheme. Next someone will
> burp in Boise, and prices will be up another six cents.
>

 

[studiotwenty]

Hey, welcome to the planet. Heres an educational tidbit for you: 25-30 percent of domestic (that is, United States) oil production comes from ---

**Ta dah**

The Gulf Of Mexico, where one of the nations top 3 devastating hurricanes may make kindling out of oil platforms whos size rival those of some skyscrapers.

As of 8 pm eastern time, oil futures had already spiked $4.50 a barrel, with prices expected to top the $70 a barrel by midnight tonight.

 

[nuzguy]

> Hey, welcome to the planet. Heres an educational tidbit for
> you: 25-30 percent of domestic (that is, United States) oil
> production comes from ---
>
> **Ta dah**
>
> The Gulf Of Mexico, where one of the nations top 3
> devastating hurricanes may make kindling out of oil
> platforms whos size rival those of some skyscrapers.
>
> As of 8 pm eastern time, oil futures had already spiked
> $4.50 a barrel, with prices expected to top the $70 a barrel
> by midnight tonight.

Yes, you read the industry statistics properly. And I'll not respond further since the economic manueverings of the oil industry are off topic. But it's unfortunate that the various news organzations will become part of the industry's dog and pony show as prices spiral.
>

 

[XL]

> The Gulf Of Mexico, where one of the nations top 3
> devastating hurricanes may make kindling out of oil
> platforms whos size rival those of some skyscrapers.

Kindling? Not likely. While it might suffer some damage, those platforms are secured very well into the ground. "Very well" is an under-statement.