I agree with Bob in the case of not wanting to "panic" people before it is necessary if it is necessary at all. National Weather Service personnel have been doing this for a very long time and will be the first to agree that hurricanes are very unpredictable. They do their best with the equipment and skills that they have and everyone should be grateful. In 1900's (Galveston hurricane that killed so many) they didn't have any predictions to go by and most times, no warning at all. For the most part, over the years the predictions have gotten much more accurate, a sign of the times and of new and more state of the art equipment to work with. Let's just all hope this is the last of the 2008 hurricane season as I'll bet Bob and everyone at NHC are very very tired. Hopefully, next year will be much more quiet and we can all get some rest!!!