• BodyBySisyphus [he/him]@hexbear.net
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    4 days ago

    Another big what’s-the-endgame speculation challenge. One would assume that accelerating the ongoing collapse of Florida’s real estate market by withholding information crucial to preventing hurricane losses doesn’t redound to the benefit of anyone in Trump’s orbit, so why do it? Like if you could spend public money to make sure your properties continue to be insurable, wouldn’t that be a no-brainer?

    • The idea is to open the market for private weather forecasting.

      Outlets like “The Weather Company LLC” are trying to figure out how to charge for privatized weather forecasts while publicly funded groups provide a better product for free. Better to kneecap any free alternatives, so people are forced to buy a subscription to your service.

      So, “The Weather Company LLC” funds political campaigns, position themselves as the plucky free market alternative to communist big government weather forecasting, and as the ability of NOAA and other organizations to forecast is eroded, airlines/news outlets/etc all start to sign lucrative contracts with TWC.

      “But what about hurricane forecasting?” You ask. Well. As soon as they figure out a way to monetize it, they will be happy to offer a monthly subscription. Same with tornado alerts and global warming research.

    • fox [comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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      4 days ago

      I truly think it’s as straightforward as putting all the money into “defense” at the expense of every other public service

      • SorosFootSoldier [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.net
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        3 days ago

        Sparta didn’t have pussy shit like welfare or weather forecasting, it had MEN and men doing THINGS. This is what Trump is doing, stuff you radical leftoids wouldn’t understand. And don’t tell me that Sparta died when it’s slaves revolted and killed everyone because that a LIE told by the (((deep state))).

    • iridaniotter [she/her]@hexbear.net
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      4 days ago

      If natural disasters are going to occur and intensify from human activity you’re (American state) responsible for and you’re not going to do anything to mitigate them, it’s better to just not acknowledge it whatsoever I guess?

      • BodyBySisyphus [he/him]@hexbear.net
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        4 days ago

        Just gotta hope for the really slim contrapasso of Trump getting trapped by the rising seas in Mar-a-lago or Marine 1 doing an epic backflip because he insisted on an evacuation in 60+ mph winds.

  • InevitableSwing [none/use name]@hexbear.netOP
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    4 days ago

    From a Bluesky post by the writer.

    It’s hard to adequately summarize how destructive NOAA’s 2026 proposed budget released on Monday is for hurricane forecasting, but I crammed all I could into today’s newsletter

  • DragonBallZinn [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.net
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    4 days ago

    the-republican: “No more stealing, commie! Let porky handle this!”

    porky-happy: “Nah, I don’t feel like it.”

    the-republican: “Oh well…uh…we shouldn’t have this because it was funded by the T-word! People unexpectedly dying in hurricanes is a small price to pay to make sure property rights are respected!”

  • Imnecomrade [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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    3 days ago

    The privatization and budget cuts of NOAA will affect truck drivers who depend on the service to know about the forecast in order to stay safe on American roads. The radio has been going off air during certain periods recently for the first time in history. I predict a lot more fatal accidents. Everyone please be safe on the road.