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Hurricane names raise a warning; not enough black names in it.
hillnews ^ | 08/01/03 | Bill Thomas

Posted on 08/01/2003 8:50:07 PM PDT by Pikamax

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.

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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.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: hurricanes; storms
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To: condi2008
H U R R I C A N E

HOMEY D CLOWN

YES, Radar Confirms It!

161 posted on 08/03/2003 10:23:22 AM PDT by Major_Risktaker (same old problems, different day...)
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To: BradyLS
Yup. It was Dyn-O-Mite!
162 posted on 08/03/2003 10:31:52 AM PDT by lainie
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To: Pikamax
Heck, if it's a big deal I say let them all have "black" names...

Anusa
Barfayah
Colonoscopiyah
Dumbassa

... This could reawaken interest in weather reports.

163 posted on 08/03/2003 10:36:46 AM PDT by Publius6961 (Californians are as dumm as a sack of rocks)
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To: Pikamax
I actually agree with SHiela Jackson Lee on something. I think we should give all hurricanes black names. Hurricane Shaniqua? Tropical Storm DeShaun? The comedy that this would add to news broadcasts is almost unimaginable. Who would be against this?
164 posted on 08/03/2003 1:37:30 PM PDT by Texas Federalist
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To: Pikamax
Hurricane Carter?

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter

165 posted on 08/03/2003 3:04:04 PM PDT by Charles Henrickson
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To: Pikamax
When will we see "Hurricane Le Monjello"?
166 posted on 08/03/2003 3:06:06 PM PDT by Redcloak (All work and no FReep makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no FReep make s Jack a dul boy. Allwork an)
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To: Pan_Yans Wife
You know, you just can't win. Name a sports team anything related to Indians and you are a racist. Don't give a hurricane a "black name" and you are a racist......go figure.
167 posted on 08/03/2003 3:09:57 PM PDT by Ima Lurker
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To: NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
I don't ever seem to recall any hurricanes named Guido, Sven, Running Bear, Francois, Faisal, or Mahatma either. Looks like a vast right wing conspiracy.
168 posted on 08/03/2003 5:35:43 PM PDT by afz400
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To: afz400
BUMP
169 posted on 08/04/2003 6:34:00 AM PDT by Publius6961 (Californians are as dumm as a sack of rocks)
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