17 September 2008

El Nino/Al Nino

I’m not sure what made me think of this old story but when I first read about it in the Fortean Times years ago it certainly amused me.Back in the late 90s a retired naval pilot from Nipomo in California was accused by more than a few people of being responsible for El Niño simply because his name was Al Nino!


According to the BBC Alphonso Nino was deluged with telephone calls accusing him of being the cause of all the climatic trouble. He said he has been blamed for torrential rain and a farmer's failing strawberry crop - one man even accused Mr Nino of causing his daughter to lose her virginity (though it is not clear what the weather might have had to do with that). Needless to say Al had never met the woman in question.


"Some of them absolutely curse me out and others just ask me, in a rather grudged way if I can just stop the rain." I told one man who'd called me to ask me to stop the rain, that I'd stop it for him. He called me three days later to thank me for making the rain stop I've rather enjoyed it, I'm thick skinned ... I'm an old Navy man so I like to trade barbs with the people that call."


I still find the story funny, but I cannot believe that some people were stupid enough to think that an elderly pilot was the cause if a major weather phenomenon!

13 comments:

CalumCarr said...

It's the paediatrician / paedophile confusion again.

ellen said...

have a nice day ...just passing by..TC

Nunyaa said...

Reminds me of here, we have what is known as the mango season. When the trees come into bloom, people seem to act all stupid like., as if one can blame a mango tree.

Anonymous said...

In the US we have people who think crashing airplanes as a Navy pilot qualifies you to be President, so why not believe a Navy pilot can control the weather.

In addition to the "tired, poor, and huddled masses" I often believe the US took in the majority of the world's crackpots and weirdos.

jams o donnell said...

Thanjs everyone. I find the stupidity of some people astonishing.. despite being constantly reminded!

Dragonstar said...

Takes all sorts ...

Sean Jeating said...

Jams,
A young lad fell into the river at Islandbridge, hurt his head and was nearly drowned. He had to be brought to hospital. Sergeant Driscoll and his men questioned this lad and the other young hooligans with him. And your name was mentioned.

Ah ha ha, it's a Hard Life.

Patsy said...

I had not heard that particular story. It did make me smile. There is a comedian here in the states who often uses the line *You can't fix stupid* with his jokes/stories. He may be right. :)

jams o donnell said...

Absolutely Dragonstar

Haha Sean. Jams O Donnell strikes!

Which comedian is that Patsy?

SnoopyTheGoon said...

What's not to believe? Besides, the man should be dried and quartered, if only for the virginity of that daughter ;-)

jams o donnell said...

Ha Snoopy a tad harsh!

Anonymous said...

Quick correction, Mr. Nino wasn't a Naval Pilot he was a Submariner who served for 32 years and retired with the rank of Master Chief.

Mr. Nino passed away on Easter of 2007, he always loved to talk about being accused of causing the weather.

jams o donnell said...

Thanks for the corretion Allen