If there's a common bond between police officers and television weather people, it's two-fold. There's the bond of public service and the bond of working in what can be a thankless job, at times. On many occasions, I've heard "Hey, you're Dennis Bowman! Must be nice having a job where you get paid to be wrong all the time!" Another guy said "I watch you every day...I do the opposite of what you say to do and I've been getting along fine for years!" I've also learned, over the years, that there is no such thing as "good weather" and "bad weather." Some farmer needs rain for his crops and another one has just cut hay and needs dry weather. If I call rain or sunshine good or bad weather, I make somebody mad at me. I've been at this long enough that I now take it all in stride.
I sympathize with my brethern in law enforcement work. Sometimes they just can't win. This morning, we aired a story about G-20 Protestors camped on some guy's property...they wouldn't move. So, the guy called the cops and they asked the protestors to move. Naturally, the protestors yelled "Police Harrassment!" and now the ACLU has been called in. It all ends up in some poor judge's court room, soon. And when someone resists arrest and the cops have to use force to get them under control, there will always be bystanders who say "It was just like Rodney King!"
Yes, we're human and when we blow it, we need to be held accountable. But on behalf of TV weather folks everywhere, may I say to police officers everywhere...thank you for your service. We feel your pain.
D-Bow
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