Among those jobs few of us really appreciate are teachers, military personnel, police, fire fighters, weather forecasters, and, yes, newspaper editors and writers.

Weather forecasters are in a position where they can hardly win. Because they are in such a position, those people who must consider forecasters' reports are sometimes placed in a position where they can hardly win.

Last week, an enormous storm system was approaching our area -- and most of the entire country for that matter. Area police and fire department personnel had the responsibility of watching it closely with hopes of alerting the public to danger.

Fact is, despite all the warnings of the National Weather Service and local weather watchers and police and fire fighters, straight winds and tornadoes might simply drop out of the clouds with little or no warning.

When that happens, no matter what kinds of warning are issued, there is little time for preparation.

Diligence demands, therefore, that when the public is warned of the potential for hazardous weather conditions, if one is to make preparations for actions they must be made well in advance.

That is the message Kennett Fire Chief John Mallott wants to communicate to area residents: Prepare well in advance for what you are going to do when the potential for hazardous weather exists.

So to all those who "watch out" for us, attempting to spot dangerous weather so they can let the rest of us know about it, thanks for your efforts! Most of us are probably not aware of the time all of you spend attempting to be able to warn us of danger.

To all of us who depend upon those warnings, if we're going to make preparations for the possibility of hazardous weather, let's do it in advance. Of course, some of us think, if it is our "time," whatever preparations we make are going to be fruitless. I am not sure where I fit in there.

Jack Rollins is the managing editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.