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Hurricane Gustav. TV exec's and UNSAFE assignments.

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach

Hurricane Gustav.  TV exec's and the rediculous assignments.

I don't know about the rest of you here on AR, however, I am having a hard time going to bed tonight worrying about any people who didn't evacuate New Orleans and the surrounding area's as Gustav head's in to the LA coastal areas. Even with mandatory evaculations...some still stayed.

As a resident of Florida, after Katrina and Wilma, I get nervous when this happen's whether in my home area or elsewhere. I watched as Katrina was responsible for 1,800 death's in the New Orlean's area 3 years ago.  The residents there in LA have been working diligently to fix the levees and restore their lives in a place they would like to call home. 40% of the residents who evaculated with Katrina on the way, never moved back.

My heart goes out to the millions of people who had to pack as much of their belongings as they could (if they had a vehicle) and those who needed public transportation, left everything.

WHAT IS REALLY IRRITATING ME RIGHT NOW...IS THE FACT THAT THAT THE NEWS STATIONS ARE PUTTING THEIR TOP REPORTERS AND NEWS ANCHORS AT RISK FOR A STORY. Mandatory evacuations are in place for those that live there, however, reporter's are different?

What are they thinking and why are they allowed to stay?

Do the NET WORKS NOT VALUE THE LIVES OF THEIR REPORTERS?

How about this MR. PRESIDENT OF FOX, MSNBC, ETC....WOULD YOU CARE TO JOIN the reporter's you are sending into an area that had mandatory evacuations? That all but about a thousand immigrants (scared of being arrested)  stayed and a few home owners (attitude that it couldn't happen to me).

Is a STORY MORE IMPORTANT than the LIVES OF THOSE YOU EMPLOY?  What safety measures are in place for your employees?  After all, hospitals are closed down, EMS has their orders, this could be the worst storm in history to hit the area, it could be "the big one."

If the Governor ordered an evacuation, why do you MR. PRESIDENT OF A TV STATION FEEL YOU CAN URSURP THE AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT? I know a story is a story, but the Governor said "Get out", so you feel you can put the lives of your employee's at risk?

Obviously, you don't.

http://www.KarenMonsour.com 

 

 

Posted by

Best regards,

Karen Monsour, REALTOR®

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach
4757 N. Ocean Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-464-4194 cell
954-969-9974 fax
www.KarenSellsFloridaWaterfront.com
A recent recipient of Realtor.com®'s "Award of Excellence" for online marketing.

Multi-million dollar producer.


Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Mike,

I disagree, they have bosses who place them on assignments. They do not dictate their own assignments.

If it's voluntary, I'd be somewhat surprised...the liablity, the risk, the insurance policy?

Aug 31, 2008 05:07 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

Karen, I LOVE THAT!  Really...I've thought of doing the same thing with CNN!  Maybe I WILL!

Aug 31, 2008 05:10 PM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Ruthmarie,

For some reason, when I try to reach the link they protest, it doesn't go!

Aug 31, 2008 05:23 PM
Michael A. Caruso
Surterre Properties - Laguna Niguel, CA

Gosh...over the years I have seen some TV reporters put themselves in dangerous places.  I guess they must do that to further their career.  What about the ones that go to war ravaged areas?

Aug 31, 2008 05:29 PM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Michael,

You know it.

I loved David Bloom, he was a fantastic reporter, engineered a way for us to see what was going on in Irac, then died from being stationary in a tank, and died there as a result of a blood clot.

Is it their choice or part of a contract they sign, a part of their job description. Not sure, however, in LA right now, who would put their top reporters in New Orleans where there is a mandatory evacuation, what if they need medical help? No one is there. Is it worth the risk, I think not!

While we all want to know what is going on, put some camera's there, no different than putting the bouy's in the ocean that can withstand hurricane force winds. JMHO.

Aug 31, 2008 05:38 PM
Tony Sena
Shelter Realty, Inc - Henderson, NV
Broker/Property Manager

Karen, I would have to disagree!  Many of these reporters choose to take on these stories as they love the danger!  Being a former Police Officer, I enjoyed the danger and that's why I chose to be a SWAT Officer, you can't get anymore dangerous than that!  So I would imagine that many of these reporters who want the top story lines volunteer and rather enjoy the excitement and adrenaline rush they get from these dangerous stories!  I could be wrong!

Aug 31, 2008 06:03 PM
NJ (Nori) Bosley
*TBD* - Madison-on-the-Lake, OH
Karen, Haven't been able to sleep thinking about that hurricane, amongst the other 20 things keeping me awake. Even the Convention with be shortened today per John McCain. Obama will probably go down to LA, (after the hurricane)not because of genuine concern for the people but for his own personal gain. Sad to say but he seems the type to take advantage of the media attention and votes he may gain by "helping his fellow man". We'll see. I just hope everyone makes it through this ok. I'm still watching and they say it is about 1 hour away now. SCARY situation.
Aug 31, 2008 09:33 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Karen,
Very difficult situation over there right now and now the president is showing that he is doing a lot, but what happened in the past hurricane? he did not show up the as he is doing right now with all the news, etc,  you know why? they want to win that's why. Bahh :(
Ray Saenz

 

Sep 01, 2008 09:55 AM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Tony,

I knew you would disagree with me if you commented on my blog. :-) I love police officer's...many of my friends are officers (was going to elaborate, changed my mind).  So, I love your opinions.

That being said, everyone has a boss.  I used to be an administrator for a huge company.  I don't know the knews industry, however, it baffles me that they put their best reporter's at risk.

Now, again, I have NOTICED after I wrote to FOX news last night and asked why they would do that and if the President of the new's channel would join the news anchor, I have noticed today they have been moved to higher ground.

One poor guy was placed on the first floor of a known flood area.  He said, "If the levee breaks, I'll be reporting from the roof of this building." Yes, if he has a chance to get up there.

Then he said, "The owner gave me the key's to the motel and wished me luck!"  Now, THERE'S YOUR SIGN!

 

Sep 01, 2008 11:37 AM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

NJ,

McCain suspended the RNC and brought in 120 phone lines to raise money for those that are in harm's way. 

He has our best interest's at heart!

Sep 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Ray,

Thanks for commenting, I'm SURE, that I AM NOT, following what you said. Can you reitterate, or reply again so we understand your point?

Sep 01, 2008 11:43 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Great points here.  A very arrogant double standard.

Sep 01, 2008 01:50 PM
Teresa Harris
Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC
Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Great blog Karen! It looks as though Gustav wasn't as bad as they predicted, which is wonderful. I'm like you though just watching this today (well Monday) some of the reporters were getting pretty close to those levey walls. 

Sep 01, 2008 05:13 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

To be honest, I really don't "get" this idea of sending reporters (not to mention the support crews) into the line of fire like this.  First, doesn't it put more burden on rescue crews?  I mean if there is a problem, don't they need rescue them?  Surely they have enough to do without that added burden.  Some of this smacks of sensationalism and one-upping the other guy on the other network.  Is this really productive or for the public good or is it 24/7 news gone amok?

Sep 01, 2008 05:27 PM
Kristina Pratt
St. Louis' Illinois Suburbs - RE/MAX Preferred Partners - Edwardsville, IL
REALTOR - SFR - GoshenRealtyGroup.com

Karen, one of my best friends lives in Lake Charles, LA.  To think of them having to leave again and not knowing what they are coming back to breaks my heart.  These news stations are risking their employees for completely unnecessary reasons.  Great post, glad I'm not the only one thinking this way.

Sep 01, 2008 05:30 PM
NJ (Nori) Bosley
*TBD* - Madison-on-the-Lake, OH
Karen, The weather channel sent quite a few. I watched this one reporter as the skies turned black and tornado sirens were going off. He was standing on Canal street in New Orleans, stuff blowing at him and looking up saying "yep, there is rotation in those clouds". That area was already evacuated so what the hell was he doing there??? Stupidity!!
Sep 01, 2008 06:51 PM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Larry,

It's rediculous to risk people's lives for a story.

Teresa,

Yes, you are right, some of them were right there.

Sep 02, 2008 12:50 PM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Ruthmarie,

You know it my friend.

Kristina,

It is really sad that this type of situation occurs...just for a story.

There is alway's competition between the networks, however, the lives of those news people are more important.

 

Sep 02, 2008 12:56 PM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

NJ,

Well now, that's the weather channel people...they know what they're getting into when they apply for the job!...

Then again, there is a certain point where the CEO should say, safety first, story later...but they won't.

Sep 02, 2008 12:57 PM
Chris Horton
Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

If I was one of these reporters you better believe who ever sends down the assignment is coming with me at the least. I don't care about the money, the fame, or any of that B.S., because guess what...IF YOUR DEAD YOU CAN'T ENJOY IT ANYWAYS! I'd pull a Bin Laden and head for the hills and the saftey of my cave before trying to go toe to toe with any kind of twister.... but then again I have pictures from the great Beecher Tornado (Happened well before I was born but I've heard it was a cat.5 tornado) and it leveled everything.... No Thanks!!

Just like the Celebrities, these storms deserve their space! :-D

Sep 03, 2008 09:01 AM