Readers may recall that WUWT published this defense of Dr. Don Easterbrook last week:
Rebuttal to the attack on Dr. Don Easterbrook by Dr. David Deming
I enjoyed this passage from Dr. Deming:
Among the gems in the endless litany of nonsense we are subjected to are claims that global warming causes earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Last year we were warned that global warming would turn us all into hobbits, the mythical creatures from J. R. R. Tolkien’s novels. I am not aware of any member of the WWU geology faculty criticizing these ridiculous claims. Their vehemence seems to be reserved for honest skeptics like Dr. Easterbrook who advance science by asking hard questions.
Dr. Deming rebuttal was an unsolicited response to a March 31 letter by WWU geology faculty in the Bellingham Herald.
In response to criticisms of that letter, one of the original signers of the letter critical of Dr. Don Easterbrook’s testimony before the Washington State Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee, Dr. David Hirsh wrote this stunning response:
“I don’t want the media to present both sides of an issue.”
It is hard to imagine a more small minded response from an academic.
Despite Dr. Hirsch’s small mindededness, it seems that both sides got an airing after all. The Bellingham Herald has published Dr. Easterbrook’s response.
This part caught my eye:
The Bellingham Herald opinion column is a diatribe against me personally (just read the slurs and innuendos) containing misrepresentations, no real data to support their contentions, and displays an abysmal ignorance of published literature. The reason becomes apparent when you realize that not a single one of the 13 Western Washington University authors has ever published a single paper on global climate change and none have any expertise whatsoever in climate issues.
Read the whole response here:
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/04/14/2958336/easterbrook-disputes-wwu-faculty.html
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Easterbrook does a great job tearing down the WWU editorial. I really hope his rebuttal is widely read & seriously considered by the general public, as it exposes both the weaknesses in the CAGW hypothesis & the deplorable techniques used by it’s supporters. WUWT readers sharing the link above with their friends would help spread the word.
A Confederation of Geologist’s Picks.
==============
I assume that’s supposed to read “Read the whole response here” instead of “while”
[Fixed, thanks. -w.]
So none of the 13 Western Washington (State) University academics who blithely smear Prof. Easterbrook has “any expertise whatsoever in global climate change.” Suppose they did: Would that excuse these smears, kindergarten cat-calls by spoiled-brat retrogressives afraid of their own shadows? “Cargo cultists” indeed, as Feynman understood the type. Anyone potentially matriculating WWU had best take care to seal his Kool Aid flask.
Don Easterbrook asks:
”So what can we conclude about The Bellingham Herald opinion column?”
That those who promote the alarmist CAGW canons are not scientists but rather adherents of a religion that is intolerant to any questioning of its tenets?
That since there is insufficient evidence to support CAGW alarmism; they must resort to semantic tricks and ad hominem attacks to suppress opposition?
That WWU’s hiring process has declined considerably in its ability to attract and employ actual scientists (critical thinkers) since the hiring of Don Easterbrook?
That I wouldn’t want my son attending WWU geology courses unless being at least over-sought by Don Easterbrook himself?
That (to my surprise) there are 12 geologists that haven’t realized CAGW is merely Zohnerism (that’s somewhat akin to finding 12 chemists willing to sign up for banning DHMO)?
All of the above?
This state needs a process to de-certify these idiots. I hate that my taxes are being wasted on this kind of nonsense. There is no excuse to continue to entertain such ignorance with our hard earned paychecks and such statements should serve as self-disqualification to find work in this field in this state.
Dr. Easterbrook does a great job responding. What kind of educators would not want the public to understand the details of the global warming theory?
Good one!
Just as when the original post appeared I am unable to reach the Bellingham Herald website. I’m not sure if the extra traffic from WUWT is taking them down or it’s a problem at my end but the page is unavailable in any browser.
I wonder if Don or anyone cares to paste the whole letter here?
Everybody in every field seems to know all about AGW and climate. Except meteorologist. Since the majority don’t subscribe to the AGW dogma, they are ignored.
“It is hard to imagine a more small minded response from an academic”
Anthony, you just don’t understand that academia is the repository of many of the smallest minds around. I have witnessed it first hand for years. Open mindedness, logical approaches to discussion, respect for other points of view and the like are rare — indeed they can be found at the level of impurities in an overall corrupt and mean spirited segment of our society.
I can only say, “Dang! . . .”
– except that I would strongly urge Drs. Easterbrook and Deming to forward Dr. Easterbrook’s letter to the office of the “Judge-Jury-and-Executioner-in-Chief” aka “Climate Inexpert in Chief” – and I think Dr. Easterbrook should consider legal action against WWU.
Good for the Bellingham Hearald publishing Dr. Easterbrooks reply. Good on Dr. Easterbrook for going on the attack as I urged in the thread below this one. Good on WUWT for bringing the WWU nonsense to our attention.
Stan stendera at 10:02: I would suggest they had no choice but to publish the response, given the personal nature of the original published attack. It didn’t rise to the level of slander, but it was close.
The faculty mob have sowed the wind and will now reap the whirlwind.
Chad Wozniak at 9:58 re legal action:
Bad idea. I would rather Dr. Easterbrook spend his time on climate research and publication than on endless legal wrangling.
@John West
“That those who promote the alarmist CAGW canons are not scientists but rather adherents of a religion that is intolerant to any questioning of its tenets?”
It will thus probably be the last refuge of that brand of scoundrels to proclaim the protections of the constitution afforded to the freedom of religion.
“I don’t want the media to present both sides of an issue
And this guy still has a job/tenure at the University..Amazing, simply amazing,that parents would want this”Teacher” teaching their children
Dr. Hirsch’s response is exactly what I would expect from a politician or activist, not a scientist or teacher. IMHO, he has made clear what he is. If the shoe fits….
As a geologist and a teacher I am offended by the attitude and remarks of the WWU faculty. I hope that they are catching a lot of flack for what they wrote. But, alas, they are probably being celebrated on campus as good soldiers in the battle against “denialism.”
“I don’t want the media to present both sides of an issue.” Well, you’re in luck so far, Dr Hirsh.
“Shut up”, he explained. Good motto for a university educator. Socrates would have been proud of you.
Read the whole article , thanks as usual very scientific. But the comment section following it ?? I quit reading after only 5 or 6, way too much vitriol for a Sunday. Unbelievable nasty non constructive crap the person that mentioned “the alynski way” hits it right on the head it starting to remind me of the Stalin , Mao and Hitler propaganda eras.
I just read some of the comments following Dr. Easterbrook’s response . Apparently these zealots don’t realize that calling someone a liar without proof makes one look stupid .
Has the Bellingham Herald been disappeared?
DaveE.
I must agree that the majority of the comments following the response read like yells from a lynch mob. Is this the academic New Normal?
dp says:
“This state needs a process to de-certify these idiots.”
Idiots? Yes. De-certify them? No. The ‘Weather Bimbo’, Dr. Heidi Cullen also advocated de-certifying registered professionals (engineers, geologists, & weathermen) who refused to accept that CO2 was destroying the climate. It was wrong fer her to do so, and it’s just as wrong to call for this group to lose their certification. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, even if they are wrong. The best thing to do is to expose their idiocy and move on.