As Ida came to shore it was a chance for the national outlets to send their people to “cover” the storm.

The Weather Channel brought their circus into town and of course they did their spread legs pose to show viewers how hard the wind was blowing.

Jim Cantore, the American Bald Ego donned a baseball batting helmet to keep his dome safe as he grandstanded in the storms path.

It all looked so very dramatic, until a couple of residents in shorts went strolling by.

Those pesky residents are always making their live hits look lame.

Over on NBC, Al Roker, who also thinks standing in the storm and screaming is still cool, was doing just that.

A number of viewers called on NBC to not put the nearly 70-year-old Roker out in the storm, but Roker clapped back, saying he chose to go to the Gulf Coast and stand in the rain looking like an idiot.

Roker went on air, not to deliver the news that many in the impacted area needed to hear, but to say that he chose to make the trip and that he and his crew make sure to practice safety.

If nearly a 70-year-old can stand out in the storm, get pounded by waves and water, then why can’t all the residents do that?

I thought the authorities are telling people to evacuate the area and not to go outside. But grandpa Al is standing out there and he says he is completely safe.

Talk about sending a mixed message.