Walter Russell Mead: Treason Is A Matter Of Dates (Rips NY Times ignoring climategate)

The American Interest ^ | March 3rd, 2010 | Walter Russell Mead

[neverdem]

This observation, famously made by Talleyrand at the Congress of Vienna as the powers debated the fate of the turncoat King of Saxony, reminded the crowned heads of Europe that all of them had at one time or another worked with Napoleon.  Talleyrand himself had served the emperor as foreign minister and trusted ally before switching to the other side as Napoleon’s power waned — and his megalomania grew.

These days, it’s The New York Times that is redefining treason.  Three weeks ago, anyone who pointed at the lack of public confidence in climate science was aiding and abetting those horrible climate ‘deniers.’  Treason against Planet Earth! You had to be some kind of dread ‘right wing blogger’ or talk radio host to point out that blunders and arrogance had undermined the credibility of climate scientists and ended any short term chance of serious global agreement on urgent measures to stop global warming.

But a story this morning by John Broder gently lets Times readers know that something has gone badly wrong.

WASHINGTON — For months, climate scientists have taken a vicious beating in the media and on the Internet, accused of hiding data, covering up errors and suppressing alternate views. Their response until now has been largely to assert the legitimacy of the vast body of climate science and to mock their critics as cranks and know-nothings.

But the volume of criticism and the depth of doubt have only grown, and many scientists now realize they are facing a crisis of public confidence and have to fight back. Tentatively and grudgingly, they are beginning to engage their critics, admit mistakes, open up their data and reshape the way they conduct their work...

[neverdem]

What gets me is that Mr. Mead writes like he still believes in AGW. Go figure.

[Travis McGee]

I’m sure that if Grand Poohbah Algore tosses a few virgins into volcanos for Holy Gaia, we can get AGW back on track.

[JPG]

from the article...”Good science is the best revenge.” OK, Sherlock, then lets see some.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

What gets me is that Mr. Mead writes like he still believes in AGW. Go figure.

He also write like it's a dispute between an uncomprehending lay public and dedicated climate scientists (who have admitted to 'a few mistakes'). No mention of vigorous dissent within the scientific community. Also, no scrutiny of the inadequacy of the attempts to measure the temperature of the entire planet, cherry-picking of data, and exclusion of dissenting scientists from publishing in prestigious journals.

This sort of journalism is known as 'damage control'. "Sure, climate scientists made mistakes like all humans do, but you're still a bunch of ignorant deniers!"

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[marktwain]

Exactly. He seems to have been projecting when he talks of “denial”.

[neverdem]

He also write like it's a dispute between an uncomprehending lay public and dedicated climate scientists (who have admitted to 'a few mistakes'). No mention of vigorous dissent within the scientific community. Also, no scrutiny of the inadequacy of the attempts to measure the temperature of the entire planet, cherry-picking of data, and exclusion of dissenting scientists from publishing in prestigious journals.

This sort of journalism is known as 'damage control'. "Sure, climate scientists made mistakes like all humans do, but you're still a bunch of ignorant deniers!"

"These days, it’s The New York Times that is redefining treason."

This is an attack on the "paper of record." He used that term at least twice, IIRC, for ignoring climategate. He's a historian. He didn't address the science, only the scandal, IMHO.