Some days, you just have to laugh. As WUWT readers know, we’ve had the Josh 2013 Skeptic Calendar done independently in the UK via Bishop Hill, and of course we gauged interest here at WUWT. Josh sent over the artwork via email which I turned into the USA version. (Note: Dr. Mann probably doesn’t realize that Josh is a professional illustrator in the UK who gives his climate caricature services to skeptics free each week, just for fun.) Last week I sent out a few free copies to some folks that I thought could really use some Christmas cheer: Dr. Mike Mann, Dr. Gavin Schmidt, Dr. Peter Gleick, and Dana Nuccitelli.
Never beyond my wildest dreams did I think it would turn into a #Kochmachine conspiracy theory issue. But then again, there’s this strange pervading idea that skeptics are well funded and well organized. Here’s what Dr. Mann Tweeted today:
If four people is “widely distributed” well then I guess we all need to revise our world view.
It gets even funnier. Here is what he posted on Facebook:
The return label says COSTCO Photo Center, not Heartland, not Koch Brothers World Headquarters, and not “Skeptic Lair”. I guess Dr. Mann really is out of touch with the common man, because all he had to do was visit COSTCO photo center to see for himself that ANYONE can create and order calendars, and have them sent to friends or family, just like I did. No Koch Brothers credit card needed.
It is really easy. All you have to do is upload JPEG images (Josh’s artwork emailed to me) and use the calendar creator wizard.
Here’s what it looks like after completion in the COSTCO photo center website:
And in answer to the question of:
“Who paid for production and shipping costs for this flashy (apparently widely distributed) Anthony Watts WUWT climate change denial calendar?”
The answer is, me. I used my personal credit card, here’s the screen cap of the order to Dr. Mann. I’ve blurred out his address as a courtesy to him:
See the “did you know” sidebar item that allows you to send orders from COSTCO.
So, I spent a whopping $15.84 to send this, and about the same for the other three. Given the reaction, I’d say my plan to spread a little good humor just didn’t work on the humorless.
Merry Christmas anyway Dr. Mann, and to you too Gavin, Peter, and Dana. (Of course none of this would be an issue if the world had just ended yesterday like it was supposed to, but I’m an optimist).
If you want a calendar, you can get one here. For the USA edition, Josh and I split the meager profit, the Koch Brothers get nothing. If you are in the UK/Europe, you can get one at Bishop Hill’s place. Or at http://www.cartoonsbyjosh.com/
P.S. Oh, I should mention, I gave one to Steve McIntyre too. Here’s (Right to Left) Steve, Mosher, Charles the Moderator, and I at AGU in San Francisco at a private dinner at COCO500 (Steve and I split the check). Note the Josh calendar on the table:
UPDATE: 9AM PST 11/23 It seems Dr. Mann’s ploy has backfired. This article is now #1 on WordPress worldwide. See the screencap from the WordPress dashboard:
Skiphil
December 23, 2012 at 12:35 am
You brought up the silly comparison.
Mann doesn’t understand Science and now we can see that he doesn’t understand Christmas either.
I am a skeptic and no fan of the Mann-kind, but I have been very worried recently that there is getting to be far too much ad hom at WUWT. We have rebuked others for this in the past and it would be best not to lay ourselves open to similar criticism.
Actually, Anthony, if you really cared, you would have sent him some class notes for Statistics 101.
Very amusing. I would like to have sent a copy to the awful William M. Connell[e]y and watch him spontaneously combust with rage. It would certainly have taken profanity to another level.
Season’s greetings to all at WUWT and thanks for the ongoing education throughout 2012.
It was a dark and stormy night
In a corner Michael sat
his yes closed, shaking, tormented.
Everyone and everything was against him.
Then suddenly the doorbell rang, outside stood the postman saying:
Special express delivery for you Sir.
The package he opened, finding inside the most horrifc
calender making fun of of him and his dear fellows,
mocking the CAUSE. Who might be so rude?
Anthony Watts? Michael sat down, bewildered,ponderng.
Then he suddenly rose, the storm ceased,the darkness went away,
the sun shone, angels were singing. Gotcha Anthony,
where did you get the money for this,
Big OIL,the Koch brothers?
He Facebooked ,he Tweeted, he Twa…d, finally his heyday had come.
Oh, glory.
Then there was a voice in his ear: Go visit WUWT and read about it.
HE payed for it himself………! Oh,no.
It was a dark and stormy night
In a corner Michael sat
his yes closed, shaking, tormented.
Everyone and everything was against him.
Again.
A Merry Christmas to you Anthony, your family and your helpers at WUWT.
Also a Merry Christmas to all contributors, it is always a pleasure to
read your posts.
Framer Charlie, I’m with you. Mann’s pulling our legs.
I wonder what Mikey’s buying you for Xmas, Anthony?
Oops, not “Framer Charlie” Farmer Charlie
Dr. Mann just can’t help himself, always inadvertently exposing that mighty bristlecone chip on his shoulder for all to see. Merry Christmas to Mr. Watts and all and a hearty thank you for nudging letting the chips fall where they may.
He should’ve said “Thank You” like a normal person would, but I guess he’s a bit post-normal.
I don’t know about the USA, but in the UK there is a series of Children’s books called the ‘Mister Men’ They are named after attributes of characters .. e.g. There is ‘Mr Bump’, ‘Mr Silly’, Mr Grumpy, Mr Guilty .. etc etc (search for Roger Hargreaves Mr Men) I always think of these when I hear about the antics of some of these climate scientists .. Each event seems to refer precisely to a different character from the Mr Men ..
If Michael Mann and buddies can use one ttree in Yamal as a global representative changing world economies and world historry, it is then no wonder they would become alarmed by the distribution FOUR calendars in response.
‘strange pervading idea that skeptics are well funded and well organized. ‘ it provides them with comfort blanket to explain why the worlds not has they think it should be while at the same time allowing them to continue to believe there is nothing wrong with their message , the problem lies in others inability to understand it .
Wonderful.
Dr. Lewandosky must have enjoyed Dr. Mann’s big-oil-conspiracy-theory.
Glad you cleared this one up. Maybe you’ll get a Climate Science for Dummies Paperback in turn. 😉
If that picture doesn’t scream CONSPIRACY, I don;t know what will.
Next year you should send him a “2014 Hot Babes Calendar”. He would think they were “Hot” due to global warming!
Very funny though, it has made my morning!
It seems that Mr Mann is the most even tempered man on the planet, mad all the time…….
Farmer Charlie says: December 23, 2012 at 1:27 am
“….Am I the only thinking that perhaps – just perhaps – Mann might be joining in the joke?…”
Nah, he’s never shown any sign of a sense of humor before, and given his apparent obsession with his own fame and glory, I see no reason he’d suddenly develop any appreciation for a joke at his expense.
Merry Christmas everybody!
(Except Mickey Mann)
D Böehm says:
December 22, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Pure projection on Mann’s part, since he has his own benefactors funding his lawsuits.
_____________________________
Very true. I imagine that Mikey has such a miserly little soul filled with hate and paranoia he is utterly incapable of understanding human values like generosity, humor, honesty, pro-bono publico and volunteerism.
I wonder how much coal Santa is going to leave him…. (No I won’t go there)
Dennis Nikols says:
December 22, 2012 at 6:40 pm
“There are strange things done in the midnight sun….
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My favorite poem.
I first heard the poem in the dark huddled around a campfire staring at the big dipper pouring out the Devils Tower in Wyoming before attempting the climb the next day.
It was one of those memories of youth that stays vivid the rest of your life.
No surprise that Mann believes four calendars to be wide distribution. After all he himself believes that it takes only one tree upon which to build a climate catastrophe theory.
Merry Christmas Anthony and all who hang out at WUWT.
There is a conspiracy…
A Conspiracy to Educate The Mann
Unfortunately it has failed miserably.