They are going to take away the N.O.A.A. weather broadcasts!!

Hey Chuck,

Thanks for posting this info on your magazine. I know this is rather unusual for you guys, but it sure seems important to me.

The story starts with an E-mail from a trusted friend who confronted me with a story that I figured to be internet bull, too weird to be true--- they are going to take away the N.O.A.A. weather broadcasts!!!! What, why would they do that?

I started researching and it seems that Senator Rick Santorum [R-Pa.] is indeed introducing S. 786 to stop N.O.A.A. weather broadcasts and give them to private companies to sell to us.

I E-mailed one of my senators, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, she confirmed the craziness and said "I believe increased market competition leads to greater industry performance". Wow, she almost had me with that!!

Enter SAILING magazine, "Full and By " by Bill Schanen ,Aug. 2005. Where it's explained that one of Senator Santorum's biggest contributors is a company from his home state named ACCU-WEATHER. Guess who is going to be the receiver of our weather forecasts-yes, we already pay for them- and who's going to sell them back to us? As Gomer used to say " Surprise, Surprise" another politician who only cares about money! Oh, sorry, I mean increased market competition.

I wish this was politically motivated, but I actually vote republican. This does give me pause to think. I believe everyone within sound of my keystrokes should E-mail or whatever Rick Santorum and whatever senator makes sense to you- seems like loud complaints work best these days. Thanks again Duckworks

Lee Martin

PS Boat US has more information at:

https://boatus.com/gov/sb786.htm