So who needs a National Weather Service anyway?

Irene notwithstanding, Fox News is trumpeting the elimination of ― wait for it ― the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service. I kid you not. "While Americans ought to prepare for the coming storm, federal dollars need not subsidize their preparations. Although it might sound outrageous, the truth is that the National Hurricane Center and its parent agency, the National Weather Service, are relics from America's past that have actually outlived their usefulness," write Fox News opinion writers Iain Murray and David Bier. Dumb and Dumber argue that America would be far better off using private outfits like AccuWeather. They're more efficient and cost effective. And, by god, what's good for business is good for America, right? There's just one fly in this Fox News ointment. AccuWeather and its fellow privateers rely heavily on the NWS for its free data. No NWS, no AccuWeather. D'oh! (Hat tip: Steve Benen)