Potty peer Christopher Monckton has stepped up his campaign to shut down John Abraham’s debunking of one of his talks last year, by asking supporters to flood Abraham’s university with emails demanding it start a disciplinary inquiry. George Monbiot points out the obvious irony in the Guardian today:
Reading these ravings, I’m struck by two thoughts. The first is how frequently climate change deniers resort to demands for censorship or threats of litigation to try to shut down criticism of their views. Martin Durkin has done it, Richard North has done it, Monckton has done it many times before. They claim to want a debate, but as soon as it turns against them they try to stifle it by intimidating their opponents. To me it suggests that these people can give it out, but they can’t take it.
Monckton has since posted at Watts Up WIth That, including this appeal for support:
May I ask your kind readers once more for their help? Would as many of you as possible do what some of you have already been good enough to do? Please contact Father Dennis J. Dease, President of St. Thomas University, and invite him “even at this eleventh hour” to take down Abraham’s talk altogether from the University’s servers, and to instigate a disciplinary inquiry into the Professor’s unprofessional conduct, particularly in the matter of his lies to third parties about what I had said in my talk at Bethel University eight months ago? That would be a real help. [My emphasis, Dease email removed]
In other words, please help me to bully Abraham and the University into caving in to my absurd demands, and take Abraham’s presentation off the web.
In my view, it’s time to stand up to the potty peer’s attempts at intimidation of Abraham and his University. Rather than flood them with email, I propose that anyone who supports the statement below leave a comment with their name, location and academic affiliation (if any). You will need to leave an email, but that will not be published. I will enforce strict moderation. If you want to support Monckton, go elsewhere. I will ensure that Abraham and the university are aware of the thread. Please leave a comment and encourage as many people as possible to join in.
We the undersigned offer unreserved support for John Abraham and St. Thomas University in the matter of complaints made to them by Christopher Monckton. Professor Abraham provided an important public service by showing in detail Monckton’s misrepresentation of the science of climate, and we applaud him for that effort, and St. Thomas University for making his presentation available to the world.
[Update 17/7: Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far -- keep them coming! And thanks to all the bloggers and tweeters who have spread the word -- Hot Topic's been seeing record traffic, and this post has been speeding up the chart of our popular posts to number two (with a bullet). John has been reading your comments, and I know appreciates the tremendous support you've given him. Dan Moutal of Mind Of Dan has started a Facebook group: Prawngate: Support John Abraham against Monckton's bullying, so if you're active on Facebook join and get the word out.]
Related posts:
- John Abraham: How to give good radio
- Monckton: the final slapdown
- Monckton is a fraud
- Monckton: still digging for failure
- The larrikin lord returns
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Hot Topic, the first popular science book to examine global warming from a New Zealand perspective, was 
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Monckton’s whining about scientific reviews of his work is a more damning indictment than Dr. Abraham’s careful dissection. Props to the University of St. Thomas for promoting free intellectual inquiry and opposing psuedo-scientific hecklers.
I support John Abraham, the commitment of St. Thomas University to intellectual freedom, and the ultimate triumph of science over dishonest, corporate-funded political bullying.
Full support for John Abraham & St. Thomas University. Don’t give in to censorship; science requires the ability to criticize errors.
-Prof. Craig Heinke, Physics Dept., Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
I’m not a scientist, but I understand what the scientific method is. One of the (many) reasons I’m convinced of global climate change is that those who deny it so often seem to resort to bullying, ad hominem attacks and dishonesty. If those are your weapons of choice, you’ve got no case.
I fully support John Abraham and St. Thomas University.
I for one am appalled by the tactics being employed by Monckton. Abraham, to the best of my knowledge, has provided a solid list of counterfactual evidence to debunk Monckton’s claims. I see no evidence that he has done anything invalid, and it is Monckton’s threats that are invalid.
Monckton’s brand of bloviational bullying is as anachronistic as the peerage system which provides him his principal credibility. Hopefully our support will do more than defend Abraham, but will shortly lead to some kind of stand where accountability permanently replaces this patriarchal old-boy bullshit.
Surely, regardless of whether or not one believes in climate change or the ideas that Mr. Abraham advocates, it is still necessary in science to allow proper discourse on any topics? It makes sure that the prevailing view is the correct one. If Lord Monckton has valid arguments let him voice them in a sane and academic fashion.
I too support both the university and Mr. Abraham in their desire to search for truth.
Whatever it is Lord Monckton expects to accomplish with his diatribe, it has less to do with scientific discourse and a sober and honest appraisal of the evidence than it has to do with politics.
I unequivocally support John Abraham for having debunked Monckton’s ludicrous views, manufactured as they are out of the thin cobweb fabric of his own imperious opinion and no science whatsoever, however craftily he and similar deniers like to camouflage their opinions in the dress and cosmetics of “science”. And I support Abraham’s university as long as they do not cave in to the demands of those who evidently recognize no difference between fashion and authentic evidence, no matter how politically advantageous it may appear to do so.
Well done, Prof. Abraham! Stand firm. St. Thomas!
The reasoning’s been well stated by others, so I won’t repeat it here.
Thank you Prof. Abraham for taking the time and trouble to debunk Christopher Monckton’s misinformation. You have my full support. We need more scientists like you to speak out.
As Founding Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas, I strongly support Dr. Abraham and his truly thoughtful and rigorous statement of the facts. At this critical time in history when we need our scientific and engineering professionals to step up to leadership, John has done it. Congratulations John.
Ronald J. Bennett, PhD
Founding Dean
School of Engineering
University of St. Thomas
Monkton is so absurd that it is NOT funny. If there were a football league of climate idiots he would be the league’s highest scorer.
i support
PM
I support Dr John Abraham, and St. Thomas University, unreservedly – such scientific honesty is to be encouraged, not censured.
Dr James Renwick, climate research, NIWA NZ.
I support John Abraham and his great works against the sanity assassin Monkton.
I support John Abraham and St. Thomas University. Christopher Monckton’s threats of legal action – and absurd allegations of libel – are simply an attempt to censor (perfectly valid) criticism of him. John Abraham has performed a valuable service to public understanding of science in exposing the highly misleading claims made in Monckton’s presentation.
Dr. Paul Levy
Lecturer in Mathematics
Lancaster University
I applaud the Dr. Abraham and the University of St. Thomas.
From an old Macalester graduate, my complements to our neighbor (and rival) St. Thomas for both their stand and for housing such an excellent physics professor, John Abraham. More public presentations like his are needed!
I applaud Professor Abraham and his university for adhering to the principles of academic freedom and standing up to bullying tactics.
Keith A Hunter
Division of Sciences, University of Otago, NZ
I support!!!!
Full support for Professor Abraham and University of St. Thomas. Monckton’s hysterics are shameful.
On principle, I support Abraham’s right to argue. He is, after all, citing documented evidence where Monckton is not. Further, I am angered by bullying tactics such as those Monckton has used before and is using again. And yes, I would also support the right of climate-change deniers to make their own arguments without trying to muzzle their critics. This is exactly how the University of St. Thomas will become known for moral and ethical leadership in higher education; may the school stand firm.
As an alumnus of the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, I fully support John Abraham for his thorough and unbiased research. I also applaud him for taking the high road instead of personally attacking the Lord. It’s now time to move on and take the soft energy path.
John Sustar
National Renewable Energy Lab
I support!
renato
I support the advancement of science.
I fully support prof. John Abraham in his defense of truth and independent science.
I support Professor Abraham and read his rebuttal of Monckton, through the Pharyngula blog. I hope the university continues to stand up.
Gary Allan
Congratulations to John Abraham on his calm, considered and pointed scientific response to pompous drivel.
If real and pseudo scientists would stop the rhetoric and look at what is really happening as the oceans gradually warm and the rate of Arctic methane release increases, perhaps we could get together for action before it is far to late.
See: http://www.amazon.com/Climate-Trap-Perilous-Tripping-Protection/dp/1453627030
for a description of The Climate Trap … another engineer takes a look at this Earth Science argument and comes to new and astounding conclusions.
Mel Visser: Author … so do I get sued for thinking too?
I fully support John Abraham.
I support John Abraham & St. Thomas University!! Don´t give in for bullies like Monckton. Keep it up!!
Staffan Johansson
PhD Natural Sciences
Univ. of Gothenburg, Sweden
Mockton should reply to the criticisms, instead of insulting his opponents
I support John Abraham and St. Thomas University. We need more people to stand up for truth and our children’s future!
Thanks for the opportunity to voice my support for John Abraham and St. Thomas University. The huge effort from Prof Abraham in showing up falsehoods and the appalling actions of some despicable people (who want to destroy the world), are very much appreciated and extremely worthy.
Thank you.
Cheers to St. Thomas University and Dr. John Abraham. Dr. John Abraham is a voice worth hearing. Thanks for the opportunity to applaud his work.
Dr. Abraham’s critique of Lord Monckton’s work is all the more devastating because he never once takes a cheap shot. Which, given the size of the target, was redundant anyway. This is in contrast to Lord Monckton’s reply, which is full of cheap shots and very little substance.
Scholars like Dr. Abraham should be applauded, not attacked.
I support John Abraham, hope these comments make the difference.
As a science journalist I’d like to offer my support for John Abraham, and my credit to St Thomas University for hosting him.
Monckton.
Do we really need to say anything about him? I think the university should know what to do already
John Abraham has done the world a service by standing up for truth, accuracy and integrity. It’s just a shame this has taken so much of his valuable time, but a worthwhile exercise nonetheless.
I support Dr Abraham and St Thomas University unreservedly in this matter.
John Bolitho
London, England
Registering my unequivocal and heartfelt support for John Abraham and St. Thomas University.
It is essential that Universities continue to promote free expression.
It is imperative that the truth about climate change be published in the teeth of Christopher Monckton’s misrepresentations and obfuscations.
BJ Chippindale
(MS, BScE , former NASA Engineer)
Welllngton NZ
Mr. Chippindale says it very well. Science is our “candle in the dark” and we must defend it and our scientists. I give my unconditional support to Dr. Abraham and St. Thomas U.
Monckton, I dare you to “put on your big boy britches” and play by the rules: the rules of science, that is.
The work John Abraham has done, going though and exposing Monckton’s heap of non-science, is indeed very important. I truly support it.
I fully support John Abraham and admire his courage to stand up againt Monckton. Monckton and his followers are launching increasingly vicious attacks against climate science by an increasingly loud group of climate change deniers that are swarming all over the media and internet. Where do all these guys all come from ?
I watched John Abraham’s presentation on the web. “Lord” Monkton is as crazy as the flat earthers.
I find the articles and comments on this page to be measured, evenly balanced, and scientifically supportable.
I don’t know what Lord Monckton said, but I fully support John Abraham and St Thomas University, because everyone else here does.
Thank you Dr. Abraham, you still continue to find ways to teach fantastic lessons on science, engineering and the importance of critical thinking even after I have left your classroom!
Somerset, Wisconsin
I am a retired professor of Geology. I was a Senior Research Scientist at Indiana University where I was the director of the Center for Geospatial Data Analysis, and later the director of the Great Lakes Center at Buffalo State College. I taught graduate-level courses in Fluid Dynamics, Sedimentology, and Climate Change, and have published two books, served as editor on three others, and (co)authored nearly sixty peer-reviewed articles. including two on paleoclimates of the Great Lakes. I applaud John Abraham’s efforts and urge St. Thomas University to resist any efforts to silence him. I once taught a course on climate change in a manner very similar to Abraham’s approach where students were asked to track down the basis for assertions made by climate change deniers and found much the same pattern. Rather than censuring John Abraham, St. Thomas University should be rewarding him.
The Lord is a total fraud. Unfortunately, however, he has the attention of many who are afraid of a future which will require dramatic change. To these folks supporting a fraudster seems preferable to the prospect of imagining the challenges ahead. He is dangerous and needs to be debunked. I support Professor Abraham.
John Abraham has done climate science a great service. I applaud him and St. Thomas University. The world needs more John Abrahams to calmly refute the deniers’ claims on all fronts.
I would call Professor Abraham’s rebuttal of Christopher Monckton’s lecture a heroic gesture, but in reality, it is something both less and more. Professor Abraham has properly exercised his duties as a scientist and researcher: his presentation is impartial, well-researched, and totally in accord with the scientific method. His calm appeal to reason is the best antidote to Monckton’s brand of polemical chicanery.
I thank Professor Abraham for his presentation and St. Thomas University for preserving its posting. You both deserve support and certainly have mine.
Down with Christopher Monckton!
I support John Abraham, the truth and those who support unbiased inquiry of the natural world.
Chris Albert
Bozeman MT
Very professional and well researched presentation. Dr. Abraham is a credit to the University of St. Thomas and should be commended for taking the initiative to challenge Monckton and his corporate sponsor’s agenda to deny and delay action on global climate change. I completely support his work in this regard.
I fully support John Abraham and trust that St. Thomas University will do so too.
Thank you John Abraham for your patient and painstaking effort to respond to Christopher Monckton’s lies and distortions. It astonishes me that anyone believed this storyteller in the first place, but those who do should be challenged to read and respond to your rebuttal. I have included your work in my own “sceptics’ corner” (see link).
Jonathan Doig, BSc (UNSW)
Science information manager
Monckton is a clown, but a dangerous one. The Abraham presentation demolishes Monckton’s talk comprehensively and without any of the rudeness and rancour of Monckton. It should be clear to anyone who compares the two, just who is the more honest and reliable. Sadly the misguided folk who are attracted to Monckton are not likely to give Abraham a fair hearing.
Congratulations Dr. Abraham, you have contracted the ire of the denialist camp and have done so while being honest, fair and equitable. Please consider me a supporter and I hope your university has the sense to keep your discussion posted and ignores the calls for censorship from the likes of Lord Monckton and his ilk.
This article with all its comments is a good exhibit to undermine Monckton’s credibility. It shows that he rather censor his opposition than legitimately take them on. I’ve added it as an exhibit to debase his presentation given in Minnesota. Check it out here: http://claimtree.org/argument.php?tree=1-1-2-15-19
We have our deniers in New Zealand as well and many of them quote Christopher Monckton. Recently I noticed that Brooking Institution in the US, about as mainstream, respectable and business orientated as you can get, has 1040 publications on Global Warming and as long ago as 2006 were funding reports such as “Case Closed: The Debate about Global Warming Is Over” by Gregg Easterbrook. Other papers discuss possible responses to the looming catastrophes according to a range of scenarios.
Yet during this period we have Monckton style deniers such as Roger Kerr (representing the NZ Business Round Table), MP Rodney Hide (cultivating support from the farming community by telling them what they want to hear) and Muriel Newman of the ACT Party arguing the contrary and for business as usual.
Now I have no doubts that these people will be familiar with the Brookings Institution and its publications, after all its Roger Kerr’s job to keep abreast of these developments. Why then you might wonder have they taken the position they have? I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions.
We must support Professor Abraham and St. Thomas University for standing up for the truth.
Stuart Mathieson
Masters student Philosophy. University of Otago
Today I read the report linked to the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15373071
This shows that the earth IS getting hotter, a fact that those of us that have eyes to see have known for years.
The report was established by University of California physics professor Richard Muller. He gathered together a team of 10, all scientists and mostly physicists, including such luminaries as Saul Perlmutter, winner of this year’s Nobel Physics Prize for research.
It’s a fact Monckton, Durkin, North, Lawson & Co, a fact. Not a theory, not an idea, not a suggestion A FACT… … OK?
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