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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have family on Florida’s east coast, so naturally I am paying attention to the news casts. The danger has passed the Space Coast with minimal property damage, no injury or serious fatality.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While watching the news, it occurred to me that the newscasters love to get out in the wind and shout into a microphone while being blown all over, and half the time one cannot even understand what they are saying, but it occurred to me that this is all unnecessary drama. I have a full-face motorcycle helmet in which I mounted a Bluetooth microphone and speakers either side, so a biker can talk on the phone or do OK Google inquiries while travelling 80 mph down the freeway. I can talk on the phone when the wind is strong enough to make it uncomfortable to hold my head forward.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>OK then, now when you view the hurricane newscasts with the brave reporter being blown all over, note that if the silly yahoo would just put on a full-face motorcycle helmet rigged with a phone mic, she could report the news without shouting, could have both hands free to hold onto something sturdy such as a handrail. Instead of a big flappy raincoat, if she wore a sturdy leather riding jacket and leather chaps such as I and plenty of bikers do, she would have some protection against flying debris and even be waterproof. It would reduce the risk of being blown around because riding gear fits snugly to reduce wind resistance (intentionally (loose clothing is uncomfortable when it is flapping around in the wind.)) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If they really need dramatic footage, a prole could wear proper motorcycle gear with all the protective advantages and and just hold a flag. Or she could wear a thin plastic rain poncho, which could be allowed to tear away in the wind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One wonders: what if some young reporter is conked by flying debris real-time live TV, doing something she didn’t need to do? Would they give up this silly unnecessary practice?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>News agencies introduce risk to newscasters and degrade broadcast quality in exchange for drama. They don’t just report the news, they create it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>spike<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>