Yesterday, it was discovered that both John Cook and Michael Mann are headed to the Stephan Lewandowsky’s current place of trough feeding academic residence at the University of Bristol to give talks on Sept. 19th and 23rd. Since the talks are both free and open to the public, a number of people have already registered to attend. Yours truly is one of those people. If you have not already registered, you can do so here at this WUWT story: Calling all UK Skeptics – Free Talk with 97% Bias – plus the ability to ask questions.
Some people wondered why I’d bother to make such a trip, especially since both Cook and Mann aren’t likely to talk about anything of substance, but simply their own brand of science and consensus as they interpret it, plus Mann’s usual book plugs. It has some of the people over at “wackadoodle central” in a tizzy that I’m attending, and they want to know why I’m going. Well, that’s for me to know and them to find out.
In the meantime, I did the planning, I’ve reserved a flight to London, and I’ll make my way up to Bristol from there. The cost of the RT flight, accommodations, food, sundries, and rubber chicken props needed for attending these talks looks to easily top $2700.00.
So, I’m asking for some help to make this trip.
The silver lining here is that while I have met with climate skeptics at many conferences, and even did a speaking tour in Australia in 2010, I’ve never met any of the UK skeptics save Monckton, Delingpole, and briefly some in Brussels as Climategate was breaking, which caused me to spend much of that time locked in my room on the Internet working out what to do about it all and speaking to nobody about it. With the exception of a short layover at Heathrow in 2009, I haven’t been to the UK since I spent time doing some consulting for television weather presentation back in 1989 with the international company Weathernews, when I spent some time in London and also in Aberdeen. So, it is long overdue for me to visit, and this seemed as good a time as any.
This time, there will be time for a skeptics gathering in the UK, and I aim to help that happen while I’m there, as has been suggested on yesterday’s thread. Plus I will come fully equipped to make a presentation or two, should the opportunity present itself.
For me, this is a working trip, and I have a couple of goals to meet while I’m there. I’ll be in touch with some of your privately. Of course I’ll bring my video camera and post items of relevance here at WUWT along the way.
So, if you kind folks can pitch in to help defray travel expenses, because sadly, Exxon, B.P. and the Koch brothers STILL have not stepped up (though I keep hearing they have been sending scads of money my way, but for some reason I never see those checks in the mail), I can make this trip and accomplish a few things, have our own meeting, and see some people that I’m long overdue to meet and discuss business with.
Here’s the PayPal button- 
UPDATE: Goal reached! THANK YOU EVERYONE!
You know what to do. Just a bunch of small donations is all that is needed to add up. For example if I got 100 people to give $30.00, that would do it. I wish I didn’t have to beg, but either all those claims about money I’m getting from big oil are bogus, or my postman is redirecting those checks in the mail elsewhere.
Thanks for your consideration, and as always, thanks for reading WUWT and standing up for climate reality.
Anthony
As a long time lurker on your blog, and living fairly local to Bristol, I have no hesitation in sending a small donation. Not sure whether I can bear to sit through the actual event, but if there is any way to meet up and shake you by the hand I would be delighted to do so. Keep up the good work
By the way, my small donation was a way for the Koch brothers to send you even more money!
$50, a small something to help in this cause and to say thank you to the work you do. Once you’re here, I hope you and WUWT gets lots of publicity.
Anthony,
I just donated US$30 to your trip.
Your trip sounds like it will be fun. ; )
John
Lets hope Cook and Mann will be taking questions. I believe Al Gore does not when he gives a lecture. Donation on its way. All the best and good travelling.
Anthony, I’m thinking about it. Employment prospects are looking good. A little piece of advice on the trans-Atlantic air trip: GET UP AND MOVE ABOUT! Blood clots in legs are nasty, and happen far more frequently than most people would guess. SIMPLE solution, to make sure there is movement of the legs once every hour, or somewhat better… (now, with the new/improved sardine packing..unless you go 1st class, it’s harder on your systems in your body to be “schrunced” in an even tighter seat than 20 years ago (1996, my last trip to England).
Please break your text-blocks into paragraphs!
Done.
I assume there will be a travelogue 🙂
Done, can’t wait to see the pics!
‘I wish I didn’t have to beg…’
Nonsense. After all the work you’ve done, free of charge (and, unlike other attendees such as Mann, free of any taxpayer remuneration), I don’t interpret your request as begging, but as a rightful request to have your costs defrayed by those who have benefitted by your efforts.
peter says:
July 17, 2014 at 6:13 am
“As he is a serious scientist and has no inclination to subject himself to the sort of abuse Mr Watts is well known for. ”
Mann? A serious scientist? Why doesn’t he do any actual science then? You know, as according to the scientific method, type science. As in formulate a hypothesis, then try to falsify it through experiment or observation and allow everyone else full access to his data and methods to allow them to do the same. IF his hypothesis is correct, it will survive such examination and testing.
Sadly he never, ever does that and I am still waiting for him to engage in any actual scientific process.
As Tesco say over here…. ‘every little helps’. Best of luck and keep us updated.
I’ve kicked in as well. Wow, looks like you’re close to your funding goal already. My only concern is that “peter says: @ur momisugly July 17, 2014 at 6:13 am” is right and one or more will bow out at the last moment when they realize they won’t be a room full of sycophants..
The photosynthesizers outnumber the humans, they would vote for more CO2 in the atmosphere. Any person who wants to reduce atmospheric CO2 is also trying to starve the trees.
I second Tom J above. You have earned the right to be heard in the UK. And to be thanked for work you have done to create and run WUWT
I am delighted to have made a small contribution to your expenses. PayPal is so easy to use!
I do hope you are able to arrange (or have arranged for you) a UK venue where your thousands of UK admirers can met you at last and hear your presentation in person.
Spectator Events, chaired by Andrew Neal, are always well attended and well ordered.
funds flunged.
My only concern being that they know you are coming….
REPLY: Well I’m and easy target, I’ll be the guy in the front row struggling to hear what is being said. I’ve asked Uni-Bristol for hearing assistance in that room but so far no response.
And, thanks for your support – Anthony
Done, Anthony. A warm welcome to the UK and thanks for everything!
Done.
And I also agree with Tom J: “a rightful request to have your costs defrayed by those who have benefited by your efforts “
I know you reached your goal, Anthony, and I’m glad to see it. I did kick in an extra $50, though, in case you have to pick up the check for the lunch I hope you have a chance to take with Dr. Mann. ;>)
Felix
P.S.: Not that I’m paranoid, you understand, but I fully expect to be audited now that I’ve made this contribution. Pure coincidence, I’m sure.
Double Sawbuck – in. Bon voyage Sir, Give’em heck.
Anthony;
Have a pint on me, donated 30 which is small change for all you do.
Paul R
If Anthony gets enough donations he could book the conference rooms on the S.S.Great Britain.
It seems not far from the University looking on Google Maps.
Just a bit of trivia for you.
The Cabot Institute is named after John Cabot, who is reputed to have discovered America. Cabot’s sponsor for the expedition was Richard Ameryk, after whom it is said that America was named. And the coat of arms of Richard Ameryk, was the stars and stripes.
http://visitbristol.co.uk/discover-bristol/welcome-usa/bristol-and-the-usa
Ralph
Just got back to the forum and, even though you had reached your goal, sent a few $$$’s your way.
Even though you have enough to go on the trip, maybe a little extra to insure you have enough to get back?
/grin
Thanks for all you do, Anthony.
£50 in the pot.
Ralph