Friday, May 07, 2010

The Great Global Warming Blunder: How Mother Nature Fooled the World’s Top Climate Scientists by Roy Spencer, Ph. D.

My public library hasn't ordered this--yet. Not that I would expect them to--librarians are 223:1 liberal to conservative and book banning begins in the back room. I suppose I could request it, although I'll probably be told there's no money.

The Great Global Warming Blunder: How Mother Nature Fooled the World’s Top Climate Scientists « Roy Spencer, Ph. D.

In today's OSU Research, there's a story about McCarthy type behavior by global warming deniers. Except, McCarthy was a member of a U.S. Congressional committee that hauled people before Congress to belittle and humiliate them, to gin up dislike and hatred. That sounds like what our current Congress is doing, but certainly not to scientists. The state of Virginia is asking questions about how professors are spending tax dollars. Has Michael Mann really been cleared of suspicion? If so, by whom? His peers? Would the same guys accept bank CEOs called before a panel of bankers? The state is doing its job. Even if he were right about CO2 is he right to deny others access to professional, peer-review publishing? That's not McCarthyism, that's called oversight. And it's about time.

On Research… » It’s about time . . .
Posted by Norma at 5/07/2010 04:02:00 PM
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10 comments:

Dercirs said...

Surely your public library is part of a network and could get it from another library in the network?
Amazon has used copies for $18 anyway if you really want it.

5/08/2010 4:40 PM
Norma said...

Of course it can get it through a network! Save the budget for 10 copies of something else. Encourage conservatives to go to the bookstore.

5/08/2010 4:45 PM
Dercirs said...

If you get the book from an independent bookseller, maybe it would make you feel better to think of it as an investment in private industry . . . participation in capitalism, if you will.

5/08/2010 4:53 PM
Norma said...

I do believe a public library is a good use of tax dollars--but I'd like to see them "spread the wealth."

5/08/2010 5:59 PM
Terry said...

Your library may not have purchased it because it wasn't reviewed by the professional journals most libraries use to make selection decisions.

5/10/2010 12:35 PM
Norma said...

And let's never look beyond PW or LJ for a review! That's why book banning begins in the back room.

5/10/2010 3:42 PM
Terry said...

Norma, the book in question hasn't been reviewed by PW, LJ, BL, Kirkus or Choice. It's a shame that Mr. Spencer didn't select a publisher interested in getting his book reviewed, but Encounter Book's strategy of marketing to online sellers seems to be working.

I don't think you're being reasonable in understanding why your library doesn't own this. I also think you aren't giving them the benefit of the doubt. Have you suggested that this book be added? Have you requested that the library explain, according to their materials selection policy, why this book hasn't been purchased?

5/10/2010 4:02 PM
Norma said...

I've seen the oddest lefty books that appear to be self published in someone's basement at my PL that no known reviewer has looked at and recommended. But they've ferreted them out. And do you know a major "approved" publisher that would dare to go against the "proven" AGW story?

5/10/2010 7:32 PM
Norma said...

BTW, don't waste your time and mine explaining to me how or when or why to recommend a book. I've lived here for over 40 years, and I think I know the routine, beginning with the time I suggested that they not use "Little Black Sambo" for story hour.

5/10/2010 7:37 PM
Earle Holland said...

Norma:

Okay, so you want the government -- the public library -- to buy the book so you can read it? If you want to read it, buy your own copy and quit grousing about censorship in libraries. You worked there -- why didn't you stop it, if it was actually occurring? Or are you simply labeling the decision-making you disagree with as censorship because that's more convenient than admitting you failed to make a convincing argument?

As for McCarthy, he was falsely accusing Americans of being communists just for his own political gain and eventually, most Americans recognized the injustice in all of that and denied him support. The Virginia AG case is similar to that.

And as for your question to whom cleared Michael Mann, the answers are readily available: The British House of Commons investigation cleared him; the prestigious British Royal Society investigation cleared him, and the Pennsylvania State University investigation cleared him. The latter comprised of the university's highest research officer, a geologist and college dean, and finally the institution's research integrity officer. The reports for all three investigations are online and accessible by the public, but clearly you didn't read them.

It's always easy to throw out a complaint or accusation like you have. It's much tougher to do the research and be accurate.

Earle

6/04/2010 10:45 AM

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