Roger Pielke, Jr. is a believer in man-made global warming. Pielke Jr. directs the University of Colorado's Center for Science and Technology Policy Research and also is an associate professor of environmental studies. So the article below is a very significant slam against Andrew Dessler, Eli Rabett and Raymond Pierrehumbert.
Pielke JR (not SR) Takes on Critics of Senate 400 ‘Consensus Busters’ Scientist Report!
Pielke Jr. Slams ‘Attack Dog climate scientists’ engaging in ‘Character Assassination’ of Scientists on Senate Report
Excerpt: And this leads to the repugnant behavior of the attack dog climate scientists who otherwise would like to be taken seriously. By engaging in the character assassination of people who happen to find themselves on Senator Inhofe’s list they reinforce the absurd notion that scientific claims can be adjudicated solely by head counts and a narrow view of professional qualifications. They can’t. (See this enlightening and amusing discussion by Dan Sarewitz of leading experts arguing over who is qualified to comment on climate issues.) But by suggesting that knowledge claims can be judged by credentials the attack dog scientists reinforce an anti-democratic authoritarian streak found in the activist wing of the climate science community. Of course, from the perspective of the activist scientists such attacks may be effective if they dissuade other challenges to orthodoxy, but surely climate scientists deserving of the designation should be encouraging challenges to knowledge claims, rather than excoriating anyone who dares to challenge their beliefs. […]The climate science community – or at least its most publicly visible activist wing – seems to be working as hard as possible to undercut the legitimacy and the precarious trust than society provides in support of activities of the broader scientific community. Senator Inhofe is a politician, and plays politics. If activist climate scientists wish to play the Senator’s game, then don’t be surprised to see common wisdom viewing these activists more as political players than trustworthy experts. If this is correct then maybe the Senator is a bit more astute than given credit for.
[...] his lack of understanding of the science than any deliberate malice behind his repeated attacks on climate scientists (only of the pro-warming variety), and that (since he claims to believe in the basic science), his [...]
[...] written for the Cato Institute, and whose attacks on climate scientists have been repeatedly cited by Marc Morano’s right-wing climate denial [...]
Bazza,
Actually I mostly stay, when in Perth, with devout lefties whom I have known since 1971. Politics are not eer discussed but I wince a little when opinions are made about conservatives. Some dear to me told me that they simplay hate George W. Bush. ???? When asked why, they could not answer.
But I see from your comment above that you are a well credentialled Lefty, confirming my initial post here. QED.
bazza
"Somebody must have said that the members of the left rest uneasy while someone in the world is worse off than they, and doubly so when they ponder on the right taking the opposite position."
Whoever said it, was wrong, or one of your political clan.
We just help those who are worse off.
Sorry WW, it is of course 'the still,sad music of humanity'.
Poor tragic deluded thoughtless Louis H. Quote 'I have yet to encounter a member of the left who isn't vile'.Get a life Louis and get some facts , rebalance your portfolio, Louis, get out a lot more, meet some warm, caring and loving people, or at least occasionally get to a neat centre ( L=R) spot where observing a bit of the sweet rewards of social justice in action would make your miserable self centred day. Read more Wordsworth 'for I have learned to look at nature not as in the hours of thoughtless youth, but hearing oft the still, sweet music of humanity'. Somebody must have said that the members of the left rest uneasy while someone in the world is worse off than they, and doubly so when they ponder on the right taking the opposite position.
Tamino at Open Mind on a thoughtful post about deciding if AGW is on or off by 2015.
http://tamino.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/you-bet/#more-569