Tex, the Weather Has Changed

Arutz Sheva ^ | 8-5-04 | Gershon Perlman

[SJackson]

About thirty years ago, there was a very popular weather forecaster working for ABC television news in the USA. His name was Tex Antoine, also known as Uncle Weatherbee. His success was due to his charisma and the way he engaged his viewers while portraying, in cartoon form, the weather forecast. But as popular as he was, Tex caused a scandal and was fired. He died young at the age of 59 and it is said that he didn't leave his apartment for the last seven years of his life.

Tex did not do anything illegal, nor did he insult or abuse anyone, he simply made an insensitive remark. Just before his weather report, there was a last minute item of news about a rape in New York City. Commenting on this, he said; "When rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it. Now the weather."

It could be argued that this is sound advice, a way to survive, choosing life above all, maybe even loving your neighbor, etc. If he said this about a violent storm about to rampage the countryside, not too many eyebrows would have been raised. So, why all the fuss? Was Tex a casualty of the 'social climate' of the seventies, that he was unable to forecast the 'public downpour'? Maybe he wasn't as good at predicting as he should have been expected to be? All forecasters make mistakes, but they're not fired as a result. It all could have been glossed over with a chuckle here and a chuckle there.

So where did Tex fail? Rape is probably the worst emotional experience a person can undergo, even though society emphasizes the same act, with consent, as the highest emotional experience a person can undergo. The failure is that of perception.

I am one of over 8,000 Jews living in Gush Katif, and we are victims of this same failure of perception. Sometimes I find myself pulled into a conversation, that I would otherwise not have chosen to enter. People say, "You are going to be kicked out anyway, so where do you intend to live? What are you going to do with the money?"

I tell them; "I don't have any plans outside of staying in my home."

"But it's inevitable, you have to make plans. And what about the four hundred thousand?" I'm asked, and reply, "If money was the most important thing in life, I would not be in Israel in the first place."

"Yes, I know, I'm all for you, but what about the four hundred thousand?" I'm asked again and again.

As the conversation goes back and forth, I think of you, Tex. In your day, you symbolized a dark cloud of insensitivity in the sunny sky of social enlightenment. Today, the sky is dark and cloudy, and the rays of heavenly justice are struggling to shine through. Your forecast was correct; you just botched it by 30 years.

[2banana]

Tex should have said "Put some ice on that..."

[xzins]

This touches on your freepmail

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

And a ping for those on Alouette's list, she's away from her computor.

[Revelation 911]

nor did he insult or abuse anyone, he simply made an insensitive remark.

"insensitive remarks" are insulting

"When rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it. Now the weather."

To lay back and enjoy it says two things -

1.) allow an illegal act to proceed (an insult to law abiding citizens)

2.) Not only allow the illegal act to proceed, but actually accomodate it by "laying back" and then trivialize it by not paying it the somber attention it is due by saying "now, the weather"

Mom and dad must have been so proud

[kaylar]

I've read about Tex Antoine and his infamous joke before.The victim was a child of 9. When told, Tex said that he would not have made that remark had he known the age of the victim-as if rape is still hilarious when the victim is old enough to drive and vote. I can't say I feel sorry for him for being fired, but I do pity him for his agoraphobia, which is a terrible condition.

[Revelation 911]

but I do pity him for his agoraphobia, which is a terrible condition.

my mom is a shut in because of this - its frustrating to someone who doesnt understand it

[SJackson]

I'd agree, it's far beyond insensitive.

[Revelation 911]

your post also reminds me of something that happened when I was in my twenties - I was at the dentist - and the aid was asking what my hobbys were - At the time, I was into guns & target shooting. We soon started talking about gun laws - she was all for restrictive gun control - and we started arguing the finer points of that position - to which she responded - "I was raped at gunpoint in my own bed when I was six by an armed intruder"

It got real quiet - & I still feel like an idiot for that

[knuthom]

The answer to that is not restricting all guns. The answer is that there should have been a gun in HER household to equalize the odds.

[Valin]

And just how would gun laws stopped this crime?
Rapists are criminals and the first thing they teach you at crime school is don't obey the law.

[Paleo Conservative]

[frithguild]

I saw that weather report. You should have seen the look on Melba Tolliver's face when the camera went back to her...

[Revelation 911]

I tell you what - you both argue with her regarding that - I thought best to keep my mouth shut, as to continue would have been obviously painful to her.

No need to jump in my sh*t valin - apologies if that was not your intent

[knuthom]

Arguing would not be necessary. But it would not be too insensitive to say something like: "That's terrible. It's too bad your family did not have a gun."

[Revelation 911]

But it would not be too insensitive to say something like: "That's terrible. It's too bad your family did not have a gun."

I thought it insensitive to continue.

Im always amazed hindsight is 20/15 on this forum

[MeekOneGOP]

Yep, that stupid comment by Clayton Williams is what cost him the election that year. We got little Annie Fannie instead.

Approximate Year: 2002

This is a photo of Clayton Williams taken at the OU game when the Aggies defeated the Sooners 30-26, WHOOP!!!

Of course, the way it worked out eventually was great. Dubya kicked her out the next cycle.

[kaylar]

My grandma had it so severely she couldn't go to church-and like most German immigrant women of her day, she was deeply devout. When people came over to visit, my grandpa had to deal with them-she hid. :-(

[kaylar]

It was hardly your fault-you're not psychic. And I don't blame you for not wanting to argue with her over gun rights after that. But by what right does that female try to make sure as many other women are rendered helpless, so they'll be raped (and possibly murdered)simply so she can feel better about what happened to her? Her position seems one made from spite : "I was raped, so I'm gonna try to make sure as many other women as possible are disarmed, so maybe they'll be raped too." Instead of wanting women to have access to the one thing which equalizes the average woman with the average man-she wants as many as possible to undergo the same trauma she claims to have suffered!