We congratulate WBAL-TV, Channel 11, for their highly professional, honest reporting on the horrific snow conditions facing the Baltimore area. While we have not seen too much reportage from the other channels, WBFF-TV, Channel 45, likewise, appears to be doing a most responsible job as well.
While not spending much time watching WJZ-TV, Channel 13, it was no surprise that their schlock personality driven style of news fell short of true professionalism. While 11 and 45 worked hard to put the safety message and citizen responsibility first and foremost, the segments we saw on 13 were the “whoa is me” and “why isn’t the city looking out for me” kind of coverage that reflects badly on the station’s story selection, the Baltimore area residents who come across as crybaby idiots, and the impression one might get of the public at large for how these whiners come across.
The bottom line is we’re all in this together and it’s not going to be easy. This is the time to give our state emergency workers the benefit of the doubt. Most of them are working their asses off to clear off snow and make road conditions as safe as possible. Once things are under control, mistakes will be identified and inadequacies in the system revealed.
We cannot possibly expect perfection in a situation like this. How many millions should the city, counties, and state be prepared to pay for winter storm emergencies when on average for the entire winter, the Baltimore area gets around 18” of snow where most years we get less than that but a few big storms like the ones we’ve seen this year skew the numbers upward?
This is nothing like New Orleans being hit by Hurricane Katrina. For most folks, it’s just a big nuisance. It will surely cause pain for hourly workers not able to get to work and be paid. Some will have property damage to contend with, but almost certainly those who have prepared and respond responsibly will get through this mess just fine even if they didn’t buy two pallets of kitty litter.
We did see one disturbing bit of coverage on Channel 11’s 6:00 pm program. One of their “on-the-scene” reporters (Deborah Weiner) interviewed a couple of men in a luxury SUV inquiring if they were aware of the Snow Emergency Phase 3 warnings that all vehicles without specific authorization are banned from the highways. These Baltimore residents showed a “could care less” and “so what” attitude as if the law doesn’t mater to them. Immediately as their car pulled away, she confronted a Baltimore City Police officer in his patrol car. She asked if he was charged with enforcing the Phase 3 restrictions, and this particular officer gave her an incredibly rude response evading taking responsibility for anything rambling on saying no one’s given him any orders and came across as obviously irritated he was being questioned. As the interview concluded the camera man pointed back at the street showing a few more civilian cars zipping by. This took place on North Avenue near the Pennsylvania Avenue intersection, where two of the city’s major thoroughfares intersect.
While there are plenty of idiots to be found around town at times like these, it was sad that on this particular occasion, one city officer behaved so unprofessionally when the response of other officers, snow plow truck drivers, firemen, and all the folks working so hard to make things right have shown such upbeat spirits and desire to do the best they can. Episodes like this should be followed up on when the snow melts away too.
A week from now, life should be getting back to something resembling normal. Everyone will be inconvenienced and oh my, some of us might not be able to have exactly what we want for dinner or dag-gone-it not have our preferred desert topping for our ice cream. When we look at the big picture, almost everyone has a reasonably safe home, adequate food to eat, and a source of heat.
This is a time to enjoy the company of family, to call those who live alone and count their blessings. Remember those who whine and complain and don’t pitch in to be part of neighborhood efforts to deal with things too. They might just find indifference and lack of attention when their situation might require a little neighborly kindness.
Let this be an adventure that appeals to our better angels.
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