Friends, like you, I am so upset by all the things that are going wrong. The layoffs at the weather center in Norman, Oklahoma has been so scary and unconcionable to me. Here is a report from News Channel 5 out of OKC on what is happening:
The federal government won’t confirm how many local people were let go, but local lawmakers have concerns about the impact.
The facility is deeply tied to the University of Oklahoma and the Norman community.
So many future meteorologists learn from people who work at the National Weather Center.
The people who work there also directly save lives with their information.
People who spoke with KOCO 5 said that’s one of the key reasons why they are so worried about the cuts.
“My heart’s with them, with everyone that was cut. That’s their livelihood,” said Kylie Scarberry, a meteorology student.
The news rattled many inside the National Weather Center in Norman and some local legislators.
"This is going to damage our local economy and our capacity to respond to crises,” said state Rep. Jared Deck.
Late Thursday, reports surfaced that meteorologists were being let go at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also known as NOAA.
About 800 total jobs nationwide are part of the Department of Government of Efficiency’s efforts to trim the federal government.
Oklahoma is experiencing tornadoes at a pace I have never experienced in my life—getting stronger and more frequent—and they think this is an appropriate thing to do, just so we can line the pockets of billionaires with more money. So I understand that we need to be very, very angry with the GOP and DOGE. And Christians who do not want to deal with reality will just call it the end times, instead of cutting funding in places that were saving our lives.
I AM LIVID.
With that said, the unimaginable has happened in Texas. And when I say unimaginable, I mean unimaginable grief. Of course, we knew this was going to happen when they cut funding in meteorology—b/c conspiracy theorists think our weather reporting is fake. I hate that we have so many people who believe our jobs are fake—teachers, doctors, meteorologists, and the list goes on. We have to address that head-on for the sake of our lives. A massive flood has happened at a camp, and so many people have died—many of them children. Our desire to rage at the system is understandable, and we must do it, but let’s give it a second. The reality is, no one in the system actually cares right now—meaning, they don’t care in a way that will lead to meaningful action. So, how do we respond now that we know that and something preventable and so, so tragic has happened?
We have to grieve with those who have lost so much. We show up and care for them, and help them back on their feet, and learn how to live a life that will now involve never-ending heartbreak.
The video I have attached to this post, which I posted on TikTok, has evoked a range of emotions in people. I am not scared of the response right now, but if we don’t listen to what I have to say—and this comes from deep study and living life close to pain—I fear for what might become of our humanity if blame becomes our first reflex—blame before the pain never works.
I will send my follow-up TikTok to address the responses of people who did not truly understand what I meant, b/c how can you know from a one-minute video where I am clearly upset, and rightfully so.
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