[Haiku Guy]

The scenario that would’ve produced a lot of snow was that a low-pressure system would camp itself right outside of Sandy Hook and pump moisture inland for days. If that had happened, it would’ve been a huge storm. But the chance of that happening was always small.

The proper forecast would’ve been for a middle size snowstorm, with the small probability of a huge snowstorm. But that isn’t a very good story.

[PTBAA]

It was/is a huge storm in New England. I’ve 30 inches on the ground w/ 5 ft. drifts and another 3-5” on the way overnight. Thank God for my snow-blower.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The scenario that would’ve produced a lot of snow was that a low-pressure system would camp itself right outside of Sandy Hook and pump moisture inland for days. If that had happened, it would’ve been a huge storm. But the chance of that happening was always small.

The proper forecast would’ve been for a middle size snowstorm, with the small probability of a huge snowstorm. But that isn’t a very good story.

. . . and that is all that matters. Until and unless a Republican (or, rarely, a Democrat) politician is placed on the horns of a dilemma and guesses wrong. Journalists, having established the template that

We’re Doomed

, are in a perfect position to second guess that politician after he under reacts to the (presumed) hype. The difference between the public official and the journalist is that the journalist only talks, and if he overhypes a predicted event it is “the man who is actually in the arena” whose decisions cost money and/or lives.

Maybe the solution is to sue the journalists for the cost of their exaggerations. Put them on the defensive.