Tom Nelson points out that Laden seems to have caved to impending legal action. His essay now is a world apart from the angry and accusatory rhetoric of a few days ago. I think maybe Laden and the owners of ScienceBlogs.com had a “come to Jesus meeting” (as my favorite broadcasting boss calls them) to basically say, “repent or ye shall be sued to holy hell”.
Actions speaking loudly here:
Warmist Greg Laden: Did I say that tallbloke is a criminal? I meant he’s not a criminal
Computers Seized in Cyber-Thief Investigation (updated again) : Greg Laden’s Blog
I’ve decided to update this blog entry (20 Dec 2011) because it occurs to me that certain things could be misinterpreted…I want to make it clear that I do not think that the blogger “TallBloke” a.k.a. Roger Tattersall has broken British law…The fact that we (Tattersall and I) are on very different sides of this issue should mean spirited debate. It should mean an open conversation about the issues. It should not mean undue accusations or harassment. In pursuit of that ideal, I am offering Mr. Tattersall to publish a blog post on this site (Greg Laden’s Blog) expressing his opinion on the matter, and he has agreed to to so, through his solicitor, instead of pursuing legal action that was previously suggested. I look forward to receiving the text for this post and, again in the spirit of open and public debate about these important issues, I will post it prominently and place it on the select feed for Scienceblog.com to give it maximum exposure.
Laden’s original post (with all the angry unedited rhetoric) is here.
For those late to the party, the timeline summary is here.
Oh, and a personal thank you to all WUWT readers who contributed to Tallbloke’s legal defense fund, which swelled mightily shortly after announced here. Proof positive that money talks, …….. walks. – Anthony
Discover more from Watts Up With That?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
It’s a good day.
Perhaps Greg Laden didn’t want [SNIP: Let’s take the high road here, shall we? -REP].
Greg Laden is [SNIP: Let’s take the high road here, shall we? -REP].
If I’m not mistaken (as I’m no lawyer) in tort, there is a duty to mitigate. As such, Tallbloke provided Greg the opportunity to appologize. Greg has taken this opportunity. Tallbloke’s ability to pursue tort in this and other cases will be greatly affected by how others react. As always, taking the high road, avoiding slander, spite and vitriol and sticking to the facts by all will provide evidence of the character of the skeptical argument. Even without the current litigous climate, there is a long run battle here and the quiet, fact based, reasoned argument will win the day.
Just my half-penny thought (do they still have those in the UK Roger?)
Good, its time they realised they need to be careful about the rhetoric and general tripe posted about those with a divergent view on the issue!
Sissy.
A complete walk-back. I’m glad Tallbloke took aggressive legal action. That original post by Laden steps well over the line of reasonable discourse and enters the realm of libel.
When I follow the link to Laden’s original post my Anti Virus detects a virus on the site. Beware
This is good. I really felt very strongly that Tallbloke threatening legal action was not a smart move. Let science be debated. Everything else is just noise.
People like Mann and David Suzuki threaten libel to shut down their critics. It is a reprehensible tactic.
From “The Apology”:
Hanke, [talking with two men in Monk’s]: “Guys, there’s no doubt that the pay
is good. But I don’t just know if I see myself working with ice cream.”
Man #1: “You get pretty buff forearms.”
Hanke: “I don’t know if I’m into that.”
George, [entering Monk’s]: “Oh, hello, Hanke, others.”
Hanke: “George.”
George: “You know, Jason, I, uh, I couldn’t help notice, I… I didn’t get my
apology.”
Hanke: “Apology? For what?”
George: “A drafty apartment? A… sweaterless friend? A ball-game giveaway
Metlife windbreaker?”
Hanke: “George, come on, not that neck hole thing.”
George: “Yeah, the neck hole thing, and I would appreciate it if you would
say you’re sorry.”
Hanke: “No way, you would’ve completely stretched it out.”
George: “You’re an alcoholic! You have to apologize. Step Nine! Step Nine.”
Hanke: “All right, George, all right. I’m sorry. I’m very, very sorry. I’m so
sorry that I didn’t want your rather bulbous head struggling to find its way
through the normal-size neck hole of my finely knit sweater.”
At John Eggert: no where do I see an apology in his “update.” I think there should be one.
Awwww….. you mean with an iron-clad case of righteous victimization, we gotta be magnanimous?
The day sensibility broke out.
I am sure Greg Ladens blog will recieve an avalanche of hits as soon as RT files his article, I for one would enjoy reading his, as usual, carefully chosen words even if on another blog and just maybe the visitor hit record will leave its own mark on the conciousness of the ScienceBlogs.com owners
Good to see that it will all be sorted in a civil manner.
Bloke down the pub says:
December 20, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Perhaps Greg Laden didn’t want [SNIP: Let’s take the high road here, shall we? -REP].
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~#
But I’ll be in Scotland afore ye.
reminds me of my secret victory over Laurence Godfrey that banished him from the Internet. If only I was allowed to talk about it
A smart move by old ‘Binny’ and TallBloke has been vindicated. This is not about science it is about defending oneself against outrageous accusations and TallBloke was right to pursue this.
Damage control wins the day.
Well done Tallbloke and legal team.
Very good !!! (so far)
Greg sure can talk out of both sides of his mouth. I’m very much looking forward to reading what Tallbloke has to say. My gut feeling is that he’ll be gracious, even though it’s obvious that Greg’s update is completely contrary to what was previously written (and what Greg still undoubtedly thinks).
I must decline your suggestion to get high before following yonder road.
🙂
A huge thank you to Anthony and everyone at WUWT and elsewhere who have been swift and unstinting in their support. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
I’m not going to say much or wax large right now. I’m in the middle of decorating our Christmas tree with my lady.
Stephen, who is largely to thank for this development, may still be up and about at this late UK hour hopefully. We have done no ‘deals’ with Greg yet, but we hope to reach a mutually acceptable conclusion to matters in due course.
Ah well Anthony the problems of running a blog I imagine.
rwct says:
December 20, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Greg Laden is a [snip]
—————————————————————
No I do not understand what this means either although I take as not being complimentary to Mr. Laden.
—————————————————————
John Eggert says:
December 20, 2011 at 2:35 pm.
No sir. How the British could have devised a decimal currency system with a half penny in it is beyond all understanding.
At least when we had real money with 240 pence to the pound hapennies and even farthings made sense.
Inflation would have done for that of course but as far as I know the absurd decimal halfpenny vanished years ago, I disremember when.
And of course the phrase has always been a penny for your thoughts.
————————————————————-
Anyway Anthony may I take this opportunity to wish you and yours and the denizens and readers of this blog a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Kindest Regards
I’ll really be surprised when Michael Mann apologizes. It’s not in his DNA. He’ll fight it until the bitter end. I hope you pursue it. He damages Penn State more than anyone short of Mr. Sandusky.
“Weasel” is the word that pops inexplicably into my head.