UPDATE: Monckton offers apology, see below
Given the recent elevated rhetoric in Australia, the claims of death threats, and the media suggestions of skeptics getting tattooed and gassed, I was dismayed to see this in news.acom.au:
h/t to WUWT reader AdderW for the link to the above story.
Since I was invited to tour and speak in Australia last year at many of the same venues, I feel I should comment on this.
Alarmists in Australia are doing enough damage to themselves with over the top rhetoric. We don’t need to weaken our position on our interpretations of the data uncertainty and the science problems by committing rhetorical suicide.
Nobody has ever won an argument by invoking Godwins Law.
While Lord Monckton is free to speak his mind however he wishes, it is my opinion that this has no place in the debate, nor do the recent ugly calls from Australian columnists Richard Glover and Jill Singer.
I’m certainly not blameless in the issue of civility in the climate debate, as I’ve had my moments where I’ve rattled off an angry comment missive or a post that was misinterpreted that I have later regretted. There’s plenty of “heat of the moment” examples of that on both sides.
However, putting swastikas in planned public powerpoint presentations, and linking that by name to a person, is in my opinion, way over the top and in very bad form and totally hijacks and negates the important messages elsewhere in the presentation.
=============================================================
UPDATE: Lord Monckton responds in comments
Monckton of Brenchley says:
I have been a very bad Lord. My remarks about Professor Garnaut were unparliamentary and unstatesmanlike. Mea maxima culpa. I have apologized to him unreservedly, and I deserve the criticisms that Anthony and many commentators have posted here. Sorry to you all. I shall try to keep my cool in future. – M of B
He says similar things in this Telegraph article:
Lord Monckton has since apologised for the remarks.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he said: “I have written to Ross Garnaut to withdraw unreservedly and to apologise humbly. What I said about his opinions was unparliamentary and unstatesmanlike.”
Discover more from Watts Up With That?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Interestingly the swastika has been widely used as a sacred symbol in Hinduim, Buddhism, and other religions for 2 or 3 thousand years. It is a shame it has become stigmatized in the western world due to its adoption by the nazis. The Big Buddha statue in Lantau, Hong Kong has a huge swastika in front of it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika
Indeed, Andy – it is not dissimilar to the triskele (spelling?) – think of the Manx flag and other examples. This is old symbolism, resurrected for various purposes at various points along the line. But regarding the swastika in its current format, the memory of its application is still too young. That’s why the hardcore punks used to wear swastika armbands – to shock and/or offend.
I disagree with the very unpleasant tattooing comment alluded to, but an examination of the “why don’t you try breathing it?” (now that ain’t compulsory gassing, c’mon folks) comment just says to me exasparation – we all go OTT at times but deep down we all know it doesn’t help. I try not to use the D-word too often (preferring Opposition – as in political, because that better describes it). But it is also important to remember that the concept of Denialism was first advocated by Freud, who was dead before 1939 was out. It wasn’t based on anything more than one perfectly human response to a difficult situation.
Back on-topic: Monckton, I suspect, knew exactly what he was doing. Unless people have failed to notice, he is a master of theatre – his apology above is wonderfully theatrical even by the standards of us British. And on the show goes! Because I ask you all this: how much more attention has he drawn to himself with this performance?
Answers on a beermat to the House of Lords 😉
Cheers – John
Monckton’s circus act is very entertaining but unfortunately incorrect in virtually everything he states.