Many ACS Scientists Reject Man-Made Climate Fears!

The editor-in chief of of the Chemical and Engineering News wrote an editorial that claimed “the science of anthropogenic climate change is becoming increasingly well established.” Many members of the American Chemical Society (ACS) have revolted in an outpouring of scathing letters.

From Climate Depot:

An outpouring of skeptical scientists who are members of the American Chemical Society (ACS) are revolting against the group's editor-in-chief -- with some demanding he be removed -- after an editorial appeared claiming “the science of anthropogenic climate change is becoming increasingly well established.”

The editorial claimed the "consensus" view was growing "increasingly difficult to challenge, despite the efforts of diehard climate-change deniers.” The editor now admits he is "startled" by the negative reaction from the group's scientific members.

The June 22, 2009 editorial in Chemical and Engineering News by editor in chief Rudy Baum, is facing widespread blowback and condemnation from American Chemical Society member scientists. Baum concluded his editorial by stating that “deniers” are attempting to “derail meaningful efforts to respond to global climate change.”

Dozens of letters were published on July 27, 2009 castigating Baum, with some scientists calling for his replacement as editor-in-chief.

The editorial was met with a swift, passionate and scientific rebuke from Baum's colleagues. Virtually all of the letters published on July 27 in castigated Baum's climate science views. Scientists rebuked Baum's use of the word “deniers” because of the terms “association with Holocaust deniers.” In addition, the scientists called Baum's editorial: “disgusting”; “a disgrace”; “filled with misinformation”; “unworthy of a scientific periodical” and “pap.”

Here are a sample of the comments:

Selected Excerpts of Skeptical Scientists:

“I think it's time to find a new editor,” ACS member Thomas E. D'Ambra wrote.

Geochemist R. Everett Langford wrote: “I am appalled at the condescending attitude of Rudy Baum, Al Gore, President Barack Obama, et al., who essentially tell us that there is no need for further research—that the matter is solved.”

ACS scientist Dennis Malpass wrote: “Your editorial was a disgrace. It was filled with misinformation, half-truths, and ad hominem attacks on those who dare disagree with you. Shameful!”

ACS member scientist Dr. Howard Hayden, a Physics Professor Emeritus from the University of Connecticut: “Baum's remarks are particularly disquieting because of his hostility toward skepticism, which is part of every scientist's soul. Let's cut to the chase with some questions for Baum: Which of the 20-odd major climate models has settled the science, such that all of the rest are now discarded? [...] Do you refer to 'climate change' instead of 'global warming' because the claim of anthropogenic global warming has become increasingly contrary to fact?"

Edward H. Gleason wrote: “Baum's attempt to close out debate goes against all my scientific training, and to hear this from my ACS is certainly alarming to me...his use of 'climate-change deniers' to pillory scientists who do not believe climate change is a crisis is disingenuous and unscientific.”

Atmospheric Chemist Roger L. Tanner: "I have very little in common with the philosophy of the Heartland Institute and other 'free-market fanatics,' and I consider myself a progressive Democrat. Nevertheless, we scientists should know better than to propound scientific truth by consensus and to excoriate skeptics with purple prose."

William Tolley: "I take great offense that Baum would use Chemical and Engineering News, for which I pay dearly each year in membership dues, to purvey his personal views and so glibly ignore contrary information and scold those of us who honestly find these views to be a hoax."

William E. Keller wrote: “However bitter you (Baum) personally may feel about CCDs (climate change deniers), it is not your place as editor to accuse them—falsely—of nonscientific behavior by using insultingly inappropriate language. [...] The growing body of scientists, whom you abuse as sowing doubt, making up statistics, and claiming to be ignored by the media, are, in the main, highly competent professionals, experts in their fields, completely honorable, and highly versed in the scientific method—characteristics that apparently do not apply to you.”

ACS member Wallace Embry: “I would like to see the American Chemical Society Board 'cap' Baum's political pen and 'trade' him to either the New York Times or Washington Post."

It doesn't appear anthropogenic global warming is the 'settled science' proponents would have you believe.

California voters set to slap down Arnold's new taxes

California voters were on Tuesday expected to reject the new tax initiatives proposed by "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger. The voters realizes raising taxes in an economic recession is a really bad idea. Financial Times is reporting:

California voters were on Tuesday expected to reject a series of special ballot measures aimed at addressing a widening state budget deficit in a blow to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

California would be the world’s eighth largest economy if it was a separate country but the state has been rocked by the recession and a record budget deficit that has threatened the provision of essential public services.

Mr Schwarzenegger has been urging voters to support a series of new revenue-raising measures that would limit the need for deep cuts in education and emergency services and avoid the budget deficit blowing out to some $21bn.

But polls suggest that voters have not responded to his pleas and in the last few months his popularity has tumbled as he has become the target of anti-tax demonstrations and public vitriol from talk radio hosts.

John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, a pair of popular radio presenters, have emerged as two of Mr Schwarzenegger’s most outspoken critics. They supported him when he swept to power following the recall of Grey Davis, the former governor, but turned against him when he tried to address the state’s dire economy.

“If you’ve seen the polls, people are really, really angry,” said Mr Chiampou at a recent Orange County rally, where life-sized effigies of Mr Schwarzenegger were ripped apart by an industrial shredder. “We’re in a recession. Who in the world would talk about raising taxes?”