General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNOAA holds barred. NOAA releases stinging letter re: Dorian political interference
https://www.research.noaa.gov/article/ArtMID/587/ArticleID/2489/A-Message-from-Craig-McLean-Hurricane-Dorian-and-Exceptional-ServiceDear Colleagues,
The fierce storm we know as Hurricane Dorian has concluded its ferocious path through the Bahamas and along the U.S. East Coast. Many of you have contributed to the excellent science that has underpinned the forecasts and current understanding of storms such as this one, which accelerated quite rapidly in intensity. The storm also presented challenges in track which improved with enhanced observations. We know that our collective work, from the scientists in the aircraft penetrating the storm, to the scientists deploying the glider picket line, to the modelers and folks working the physics of the storms, across OAR and in our CI'S, and across all NOAA Lines, we are working the problem in order to give the NWS forecasters the best tools we possibly can to keep America and our neighbors safe. Thank you.
During the course of the storm, as I am sure you are aware, there were routine and exceptional expert forecasts, the best possible, issued by the NWS Forecasters. These are remarkable colleagues of ours, who receive our products, use them well, and provide the benefit of their own experience in announcing accurate forecasts accompanied by the distinction of all credible scientiststhey sign their work. As I'm sure you also know, there was a complex issue involving the President commenting on the path of the hurricane. The NWS Forecaster(s) corrected any public misunderstanding in an expert and timely way, as they should. There followed, last Friday, an unsigned press release from "NOAA" that inappropriately and incorrectly contradicted the NWS forecaster. My understanding is that this intervention to contradict the forecaster was not based on science but on external factors including reputation and appearance, or simply put, political. Our NOAA Scientific Integrity Policy and Code of Scientific Conduct make clear that all NOAA employees shall approach all scientific activities with honesty, objectively, and completely, without allegiance to individuals, organizations, or ideology. The content of this press release is very concerning as it compromises the ability of NOAA to convey life-saving information necessary to avoid substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. If the public cannot trust our information, or we debase our forecaster's warnings and products, that specific danger arises.
You know that the value of our science is in the complexity of our understanding, our ability to convey that understanding to a wide audience of users of this information, and to establish and sustain the public trust in the truth and legitimacy of that information. Unfortunately, the press release of last Friday violated this trust and violated NOAA's policies of scientific integrity. In my role as Assistant Administrator for Research, and as I continue to administratively serve as Acting Chief Scientist, I am pursuing the potential violations of our NOAA Administrative Order on Scientific Integrity. Thankfully, we have such policies that are independently cited as among the best in the federal community, if not the best. Your NOAA and OAR management and leadership team believes in these policies and principles. I have a responsibility to pursue these truths. I will.
Thank you for your continued excellent work, and your trust. Carry on.
Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,483 posts)Floyd R. Turbo
(26,231 posts)durablend
(7,416 posts)"FAILING NOAA AND THEIR FAKE NEWS!!! ACCUWEATHER WOULD'VE DONE IT BETTER!!!!"
nykym
(3,063 posts)may well be so pissed at this he will try to disband NOAA & OAR
Midnightwalk
(3,131 posts)Thank you Mr McLean
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)And, to other folks commenting on the political scene these days, see how easy it is to explain what happened in clear language: "this intervention to contradict the forecaster was not based on science but on external factors including reputation and appearance, or simply put, political." Not, "appears to show" or "some people say" or some other mealy-mouthed locution. Call it what it is. If the subject of your reporting objects to your characterization, then publish that and explain why you stand by your original report.
MyOwnPeace
(16,888 posts)Probably won't be there long - SAD.
Too good for this government...............
Best of luck to you, sir. You have fought the noble fight!
cp
(6,543 posts)We live in rural northern Wisconsin and trust NOAA to relay accurate weather forecasts. NOAA has always, and I mean always, come through for us, from tornadoes to snow storms to everything. We love NOAA.
This is a superb letter from Craig McLean.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)this issue started as just another Trump lie but when he dragged in weather agencies, well, NO - the public has to be able to TRUST what we are being told about the weather. Sure, forecasters get it wrong but it's always in good faith - politicizing the weather is just plain WRONG
calimary
(80,699 posts)HAVE TO!!!
Skittles
(152,964 posts)Last edited Tue Sep 10, 2019, 08:39 PM - Edit history (1)
well, I will leave it right there
MyOwnPeace
(16,888 posts)you might be accused of not supporting Democrats..........
Skittles
(152,964 posts)Roland99
(53,342 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)malaise
(267,823 posts)This is how professionals protect their institution - most excellent.
Rec with pleasure
ffr
(22,649 posts)I hope to see scientists of all walks of life protesting this Russian, I mean Republican, regime in the streets with us soon.
American trust in our system of government must be restored!
SayItLoud
(1,696 posts)This intelligent, morally sound, pro, will be thrown under the bus.
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)BUT he will be remembered for something that is completely absent elsewhere in this administration:
INTEGRITY.
Loge23
(3,922 posts)When NOAA - NOAA!! - has to endure a week of nonsense over their most basic task, forecasting, because of ham-handed interference from not only the administration but the goddamn IPOTUS himself, you have to wonder just how far down the rabbit hole we are as a country right now.
Just incredible.
dalton99a
(81,068 posts)BumRushDaShow
(127,312 posts)mcar
(42,210 posts)a Trumper, issued that release.
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)should be talking to drumpf!
Moostache
(9,895 posts)It is why he is such a petulant child around them and around world events. His ego and narcissism simply cannot handle the truth - that he is a complete idiot in so far over his head that it would takes DECADES (if EVER) for him to ascend to the surface again.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)matt819
(10,749 posts)Is a hero. Sure, he sits behind a desk, but he and his troops save lives, and they do so with amazing professionalism and integrity. We should all be proud that there are federal employees like him.
Peace06
(248 posts)Good message! This absolutely needed to be said! Such a welcome dose of integrity and professionalism. We don't see that in the trump administration.
NBachers
(17,006 posts)MyOwnPeace
(16,888 posts)Take the gag out of their mouths! There was another post earlier that said that New Jersey WAS sponsoring just such an investigation in conjunction with Rutgers University.
Hmmmm, must not be much NRA money going to New Jersey!
JBoy
(8,021 posts)lamp_shade
(14,796 posts)Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)gademocrat7
(10,623 posts)He is an intelligent, hard working man who takes his position as Acting Chief Scientist very seriously. His concern for public safety is a priority. Unlike the orange buffoon who doesnt care about peoples safety and well being.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Roland99
(53,342 posts)bdamomma
(63,657 posts)nt