Hurricane Names Go Politically Correct

The Hill ^ | July 29, 2003 | Bill Thomas

[Southern California]

Hurricane Latonya?
Hurricane Names Raise a Warning

The 2003 hurricane season is here, and that means a whole new list of names such as Larry, Sam and Wanda ready to make tropical-storm history.

Although Spanish and French names are included in this year’s lineup, among them Juan and Claudette, which struck Texas last week, popular African American names, like Keisha, Jamal and Deshawn, are nowhere to be found. Some black lawmakers don’t seem to mind, but Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) does. “All racial groups should be represented,” said Lee.

The World Meteorological Organization began naming tropical storms after women in 1953. That made sense to scientists at the time who thought women and storms were both unpredictable. After feminist groups protested, men’s names were added in 1979.

The National Weather Service says hurricane names are derived from languages spoken in areas that border the Atlantic Ocean, where such storms occur. Yet that doesn’t explain why Gaston, Ernesto and Cindy were chosen and Antwon, Destiny and Latonya were passed over. Lee said she hoped in the future the weather establishment “would try to be inclusive of African American names.”

That could take a while. The current roster of hurricane names isn’t due to be updated until 2007.

[Revolting cat!]

[Revolting cat!]

[Xenalyte]

Sheila Jackass Leech ping!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Lookout! Hurricane Jesse is about to blow into town and suck millions of dollars out of the local economy.

[jimt]

Are you sure this isn't from The Onion?

Those of us who are the racist socialist's constituents only wish Sheila news was from The Onion.

There is no racial issue too small for her to jump in and exploit, and no wealth redistribution scheme to modest for her to ballyhoo.

[jimt]

to modest = too modest

arrrggghhh....

[Allegra]

Good grief! Let's not forget the Asian population either. We can have Hurricane Nguyen and Hurricane Jing-Chao.

And let's not exclude our Muslim friends (you know...that religion of peace?) We'll need Hurricane Fatima and Hurricane Ahmed.

Sheila...get a freakin' life.

Terrisn!

[Xenalyte]

What you said!

[Duckdog]

Laughed so hard I almost lost my Copenagen.

[CygnusXI]

I want Hurricane MFUME!!! No really, that would rock.

[jriemer]

I want Hurricane MFUME!!! No really, that would rock.

How 'bout Hurricane X

[Flyer]

I won't sleep well until I see Hurricane 50 Cent.

[Southern California]

"Hurricane Monica is blowing hard..."

Nice double entendre!

[P.O.E.]

Break out the Ouija board!

[Tall_Texan]

Good grief! Let's not forget the Asian population either. We can have Hurricane Nguyen and Hurricane Jing-Chao.

That reminds me. Tonight, in our customer database at work I noticed the name Fuyon Yu. It must be really difficult for him to order things over the phone:

"What's your name, sir?"

"Fuyon Yu."

"Well, there's no need to be rude, sir. Now what is your name?"

"Fuyon Yu."

"Really, all I wanted was your name..."

"Fuyon Yu!"

"I'm going to have to connect you to my supervisor. One minute, please..."

[supercat]

The 1st Cat3 hurricane of the season. Hearing "well, Elaine is COMING TO FLORIDA!" isn't scary. Numbers aren't either, but at least it removes the PC crap.

I wonder if there will ever be a Hurricane Chad, or if the name's been permanently retired despite having never been officially used?

[wazoo1031]

I know someone who acutally ran into a sales clerk whose name was: "Aquanetta" So, how about "AquaNetta" for a hurricane name? Seems logical according to the PC trend...;>)

[ThomWilkerson]

I will bet anyone $1000 to a hole in a donut, that just as soon as the first Cat4 storm with the fake 'African' name of "Aayeesha" that slams into the Texas coast and wipes out li'l Ms Sheila's 18th District, she'll go straight to the House floor and accuse the NOAA of RACISM! for "Creating and Purposely Steering" a deadly storm towards a predominately Black district!!!

I can hardly wait!

[wazoo1031]

In the words of Homer: "Wooo Hoooooo"! D'oh!

[solitas]

Hurricane Andrew is pretty recent; the names Amos, Bess, and Porgy are availble though...