Thought Piece

First, I was there during Dr. Mann’s testimony on March 29, 2017 in front of the Committee of Science, Space, and Technology, where he compared himself to a oppressed Russian scientist from the Stalin era: As he put it, “Call people ‘deniers” all you want, use any name you want…beat them into submission, that’s a Stalinist tactic.”

Although, a careful reading of his Committee text shows Mann at his bullying, uncivil, and name-calling best. In fact, during the question and answer period, Mann denied calling fellow panelist Dr. Judith Curry a “denier” in several earlier interviews he gave to the media. In response, Dr. Curry quietly said Mann should read his own remarks.

Speaking at the “Lecture on Academic and Intellectual Freedom,” Mann gave a speech about “the end of climate change debate,” after U of Michigan’s President Mark Schlissel introduced Awardee Mann by saying that the University of Michigan will always be “an inalienable forum for discovery, debate, and discussion.”

This story is a reminder that political scientist Michael Mann is already using what he called “trench warfare” while claiming victimhood. Anyway, I hope that Dr. Mann will share disagreements with Dr. Curry with some kind of collegiality at the upcoming “discovery, debate, and discussion” in WV.

Climate showdown of the decade?

Anthony Watts / 18 hours ago May 28, 2018

This manntastic event looms large. With the irascible Dr. Mann pitted against Moore and Curry, fireworks are almost guaranteed. Titley is a lightweight and he’ll be overshadowed by Mann’s huge ego and need to control the conversation. Their idea to hear a “collegial and balanced” discussion may very well be a pipe dream, especially after what happened the last time when Mann and Curry were testifying before congress.

The event is open to the public.

Here are the details from the website:

Climate change is undeniable. But is human activity causing it, and if so, to what degree? How are current public policies helping or hurting the situation? All these questions and more will be addressed at Spilman Thomas & Battle’s Environmental Forum: Conversations on Climate Change.

We’re thrilled to be bringing world-renowned scientists and policy experts in the field to the stage at the University of Charleston to discuss these issues from both sides of the table–expect an exciting exchange of ideas on the causes and effects of climate change, the prognosis for the future, and what can and should be done to prepare for those changes. We’ll hear from those whose research leads them to believe human activity is having a dangerous impact on the climate, as well as those who believe such theories are overblown and unsupported by the science.

Join us for this unique opportunity to see scientists who rarely share the same stage, presenting a balanced discussion about this important topic affecting our planet, our lives, and our businesses.

Dr. Michael E. Mann, Director of the Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University
Dr. David W. Titley, Rear Admiral USN (ret.), Professor of Practice in Meteorology; Professor, Pennsylvania State School of International Affairs; and Director, Center for Solutions to Weather and Climate Risk
Dr. Patrick Moore, former president of Greenpeace Canada
Dr. Judith Curry, former chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology

Tickets are $15 per person, $20 if purchased after May 29.