Weather Weary

While Theresa and I were in South Carolina we frequently checked the weather channel. Because of the Arctic Vortex the whole discussion was how this situation was going to reap havoc on the USA.Every station on the network all got in the act and weather became the opening topic for the news.

A whole week of this constant needing experts to explain the impact of the weather became an obsession with the CNN and other networks. Who would think that the old expression that everyone talks about the weather wold become so true. Here in Oakville there are 400 plus people working at the weather network building which is huge and has been extended several times since it was located here.

Perhaps it is a good thing that people talk about the weather as it takes their mind off of all the ugly like Canada's reporting of the military activity of the air force in Iraq. It was so comical that a Major General was on the CBC reporting on the first two days of activity. Day one there were two Jets in the air  which had to be refueled for the four hours of patrolling looking for targets. They landed with all ordinance intact. Day two there were four aircraft in the air and two fighter jets bombed a vital target. They destroyed or caused the bulldozer and two trucks to be useless. Two bombs from each plane were used. These were 500 lb, laser guided, smart bombs at a cost of some $500,000 each. Not to make fun of the air force because they are doing exactly as they are asked but to make their efforts news and exposing the uselessness of this whole plan is surely counter productive.

At present we have 600 plus Canadian military keeping the 9 aircraft in service. The two surveillance aircraft are serving a a platform for the management of all the aircraft and are excellent at what they do. These aircraft also access damage reports on the effectiveness of the coalition bombing missions. The other aircraft is a fuel stop in the air and since Canada's ground support comes from a  southern  base it is necessary for the Canadians to operate over their patrol responsibility in Northern Iraq.

From weather to war we will see which has the better ratings after a short time. I will bet on the weather.