The Bottle Genie

climategate2 343 Comments

Well, it finally happened. Much of Canadian media broke radio silence on Climategate today. There really wasn’t much choice but to report it, now that Environment Minister Jim Prentice had officially described the allegations as “serious”, coupled with the day-old news that CRU head Phil Jones was “stepping aside” in preparation for his encounter with a double-decker.
As of this evening, there are 23,100,000 Google results for “climategate” – and exactly one on-air report from the CBC.
It’s been 14 days since the cork was pulled from FOIA 2009.zip
And as it turns out, the concerted efforts of a protective mainstream media to ignore the scandal turned out to be worst possible course of events for the University of Anglia’s motley CRU and their supporters in the wealth distribution industry.
They gave us something very powerful – 14 days of time. Time, while scores of bloggers and thousands of readers put in uncountable man hours of dissection and analysis.
Time for those who’d been discussed and copied in the leaked emails to confirm that there was no evidence of tampering.
Time for programmers to sift through Harry’s now famous code line by line, to test it for themselves.
Time for members of the academic community to get their outrage and condemnation on the record, and on their own terms. Time for those who’d been targeted to retell their stories.
Time for opinion columnists and talk radio to break ranks and take on the job their news editors refused to do, to disseminate the facts gathered, checked and analyzed by bloggers to a wider audience.
Time for the comments sections of every online newspaper in the western world to fill with angry demands from their readers to cover the damned story. Not because they were needed anymore, but because we wanted the stupid charade to end.
So when Peter Mansbridge went on the National tonight to admit what he had surely known for days, we didn’t watch to find out what’s contained in FOIA 2009.zip, for we’d read it for ourselves.
We only watched to see if he had.
For perhaps the first time in the history of mass media, the gatekeepers broke a major scandal to an audience fully 10 days ahead of them.
It’s a spin doctor’s worst nightmare.
As I’ve been saying from the beginning, they’re hearing the sound of all hell breaking loose. And as much as it’s being directed at the research institutions and the policy makers following along like so many imprinted penguins, the bulk of public rage has focused on the media.
I don’t think my friends in traditional news gathering truly appreciate what it is they’ve done. I don’t believe they fully comprehend how gravely they have injured themselves, and how they’re driving home the razor into an industry already struggling for survival with abbreviated, dismissive, misleading reports and “denier” and “conspiracy nut” slurs.
The bloggers tried to warn them. The opinion columnists tried to warn them, the talk hosts tried to warn them. Their readers, viewers and listeners tried to warn them.
The news media perfected the business of bombshells. They wind them up, drop them, film the explosion, and move on.
They’re just learning now that we’re in the business of bottle genies.

343 Replies to “The Bottle Genie”

  1. My response to the CBC. Others may feel free to amend, edit and use for the purpose of similarly responding.
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    Dear Ms. Enkin,
    Thank you for your response. I wish to reply to each of your points, explaining why your response does not sufficiently address the point of my original complaint to the ombudsman.
    1. Your first point: “I suppose the short answer is CBC News did carry the story. On CBC News.ca, it was posted on November 26 under the headline, “Hackers skewed climate-change emails: scientists”. I expect we will be carrying more stories about the stolen documents and the fallout from their publication in the days before the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on December 7.”
    You indicate the story was carried on November 26th. That is a full six days after the story broke on Thursday, November 20th. If a six day delay to cover a major breaking story on one of the biggest issues of our time is considered acceptable, I would suggest your organization re-examine its priorities. As an interesting point of juxtaposition, I recall the CBC, within a matter of hours, provided copious amounts of coverage on the Stephen Harper “wafergate” non-scandal this past summer, coverage that then lasted several days.
    Furthermore, the story carried on the 26th by the CBC carried stale information. Had that story been run on the 20th, or the 21st, it would have been relevant. But, by the 26th, further analysis primarily in the blogosphere had delved more deeply into the leaked information, going beyond the e-mails into the actual modeling code and data themselves. None of this information was covered in the 26th story.
    Lastly on this point, the reporter quoted only sources friendly to man-made global warming theory (hereafter referred to as AGW). Why no feedback, for example, from McIntyre and McKitrick? And the headline was loaded to suggest the story was not in the leaked data, but in the alleged malfeasance of the whistle-blower. Why is this?
    2. “To be fair, the story’s significance seemed only gradually to emerge.”
    So what? A story’s growing significance should not have prevented the CBC from running a straight forward reporting of factual information about the data being leaked from a prominent AGW research facility within hours of the story breaking. This doesn’t require any analysis, or opinion, or spin. Just do your job, and report the information like any respectable news organization would do. I would also point out, the reason the significance of the story grew was due to detailed analysis by independent bloggers, statisticians, scientists and others. Mainstream media (hereafter referred to as MSM) outlets (CBC and others) had no part in this breaking story, which truly does beggar belief. Is it any wonder private MSM outlets are going bankrupt, and public broadcasters such as the CBC need billion dollar subsidies?
    3. “As you might expect, CBC News editors are faced daily with choosing – from among the thousands available in Canada and around the world – the few dozen stories that they feel are the most significant and will be of the greatest interest to Canadians. It is a decision made all the more difficult by the limited resources and time available in our news programs and our Internet pages. Of course, we cannot include all, or even many, of the stories taking place around the country and the world, but thank you for drawing this one to our attention. We will continue to follow it.”
    Well, this strikes me as little more than whistling past the proverbial graveyard. Over the years, the CBC runs, prints, or airs ANY story that has been friendly to the AGW cause no matter how small or insignificant (or, even, truthful). But, when a major story breaks that goes against AGW dogma, suddenly the problem of limited resources arises. Apparently the CBC had enough resources to run the important story about Michael Jackson’s glove being put up for auction. But, Climategate was simply one of many stories taking place around the world.
    Sorry, Ms. Enkin, not good enough. You have not addressed the fundamental point of my objection, which is that ideological bias has irredeemably infected the CBC News department. Climategate was immediately recognizable as an interesting, if not major, story, with the potential to be a game changer (which it is turning out to be). It is simply not believable that it was not recognized as such by those within the CBC newsroom.
    The non-coverage of Climategate must therefore be the result of deliberate inaction. No more. No less. Arguments to the contrary simply fall flat.
    I will most certainly be requesting the ombudsman review this matter further.
    Kindly,

  4. Gore is probably worried about setting foot in the country with all the billion dollar carbon fraud investigations going on…

  5. Bob @1:25
    IF there is another release that reinforces this, on this scale from another source…ideally the Americans, then this definitely casts a chill, not a shadow, over the whole issue.
    It would mean it was international in scale…it would mean it was more than just “the bad judgement of a man under pressure” in the UK.
    It becomes impossible to defend at that stage. Right now, I think the needle has been moved far enough that nobody is goign to be able to get away without releasing original data, full data and complete source code. Just the transparency on its own will make a huge difference but over a number of years. Another scandal would set them the AGW back to ground zero and they would have to rebuild completely.

  6. Goreacle Report: Experts say this is Ich bin satire.
    UNabomber Mao Stlong and his nephew, Lae, aglee.
    …-
    “Al Gore cancels lecture during COP15
    Berlingske regret to announce that Al Gore has canceled his event. De over 3.000 læsere, der har købt billet, får pengene retur. The more than 3,000 readers who bought a ticket, get money back.”
    [Goreacle]
    “Den tidligere amerikanske vicepræsident har aflyst sit arrangement, som over 3.000 danskere har købt billet til. Foto: JOSE MENDEZ
    Former U.S. vice president has canceled his event, more than 3,000 Danes have purchased a ticket. Photo: JOSE MENDEZ
    Al Gore has this morning told Berlingske Media’s great annoyance has canceled his planned major climate talks for Danes 16th december Tap in the old Carlsberg because, under the title “Climate Conclusion”.
    Cancellation comes with regard to unforeseen changes in Al Gore’s program for the climate summit, COP 15.
    Scheduled for Al Gore to show his new multimedia show, which fits just been published in his book “Our Choice”, which comes with solutions to the planet’s global climate problems.
    (Excerpt) Read more at translate.google.com”
    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399493/posts

  7. Well done Colin in your letter to the CBC! Excellent writing, and good for you for not letting CBC squirm out of your jaws.

  8. Google results for
    ‘Al Gore cancels lecture during COP15’
    144,000,000 !!!
    Almost as many $$s as he made on the scam.

  9. “Gore cancels on Copenhagen lecture – leaves ticketholders in a lurch”
    I suggest Sarah Palin fill in for him.

  10. Mann throws Jones under the bus! Too funny. Must have taken lessons from Obama.
    These men have no scruples. The show is just getting started folks, I can feel it.
    And thanks to SDA we have a front row seat.

  11. Mann throwing Jones under the bus is entertaining and I’m all for watching the blame game unfold, but we do well to not be deceived by the tactic of publicly discarding the bad apples in order to appear to be cleaning up the AGW swindle. Watch for the message following the finger-pointing.

  12. Will P.Jones turn on the Team? The type of person who suggests deleting incriminating info would likely be shrewd enough to store a few CYA files.

  14. Meanwhile Drudge still thinks Tiger Woods is the top story.
    That fact that even Drudge is missing the ball only adds weight to Kate’s post.

  15. How can we award / nominate Canadian environmental economist Ross McKitrick and statistical minerologist Stephen McIntyre & Kate for the Order of Canada?
    Posted by Mike Murphy at 1:10
    If there are any conservative politicians lurking out there it might be a good idea for you to make sure the above mentioned people are actually nominated for an Order of Canada.
    Your conservative base is looking for a “sign” you are paying attention to what they are saying about the scandal that is Climategate…you better start showing some real interest in their concerns.
    I’ve been pounding away at Count Iggy’s office for a week.
    Not a peep in reply.
    Not even so much as a form letter.

  17. Here’s mine:
    I am writing this letter to express my concern for the upcoming Climate meetings in Copenhagen. As a Canadian I cannot support any political party or person that would sign away our sovereignty in December 2009, or anytime in the future; and know this, signing any treaty that would obligate Canada and Canadians to curtail their policies including tax policy, foreign policy, environmental policy or any other policy will be viewed as just that by me and thousands of Canadians. Any philanthropic contributions from Canada must be by our own choice, and should be investigated on a case by case basis to verify the legitimacy of each cause. I implore you to not empower any unelected body, especially foreign, any type of influence over Canada’s affairs.
    I suspect you have received many letters of a similar tone so I will not repeat the obvious arguments as to why I’m sceptical about Global Warming/Anthropogenic Global Warming/Climate Change/Climategate/whatever. That being said, if, and that’s a big if, I can take Statements from Conservative MP’s as truthful on this matter (which I do not), I would still not condone the signing of any agreement similar to that which I mentioned above. CANADA HAS NO MORAL OBLIGATION TO REDUCE ITS CO2 EMMITIONS, and the signing of any treaty that suggests so is not tolerable!
    There is a time for politics and there is a time for honour. Now it is time for honour! We are marching forward into interesting times where the worlds security is at stake and very difficult decisions may have to be made in the foreseeable future. Canadians need to be able to trust their government if they’re going to be asked to make the necessary sacrifices to protect and preserve Canada and it’s values. I don’t care how you do it, but stand-up and speak the truth! Find a way to get your message out regardless of the obstacles you face. I would rather have Canada stand-up for liberty and the truth while at the same time striking a devastating blow to the Global Warming scandal. I would rather suffer the consequences at the polls and risk a socialist government, than continue down the path of deceit for the sake of preserving the status quo in Canada’s Parliament.
    Yours Truly
    Jon Hamilton

  19. Generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children . . . this was the moment when the rise of the O-Shunns began to slow and the Bann-it began to heel

  20. Pun v2.0:
    Generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children . . . this was the moment when the rise of the O-Shunns began to slow and the PLAN-it began to heel

  21. Poosted at Hot Air:
    The fallout of the University of East Anglia CRU e-mails threatens to smother the credibility of anthropogenic global-warming advocates — and the UN along with them. In a new survey conducted after the exposure of UEA-CRU’s behind-the-scenes chicanery, the Rasmussen poll indicates that a majority of respondents think AGW scientists have lied about their data. Only 26% think that such dishonesty and fraud is either not very likely or not at all likely:
    http://hotair.com/archives/2009/12/03/poll-59-think-agw-scientists-may-have-falsified-data/

  23. Rob, I was surprised when Oil For Food didn’t scupper the UN. You would think such obvious and blatant corruption would be enough… alas I surmise that MSM editors enjoy having their pockets picked by kleptocrats.

  26. Gore cancels his Copenhagen triumphal visit?! Now, that’s something. Is he ashamed of bilking the world of millions in this scam? I’d bet he isn’t.

  27. Evidence of the Global propaganda machine set up to manipulate and brain wash the sheep. The goose lock stepping machine.

  28. Great interview on Adler Kate.
    If you “crashed” the Copenhagen meetings you might get the coverage you deserve in the MSM.

  29. The modesty of Professor Jones
    Aristotle, Francis Bacon, Descartes, Newton, Jones… Jones?
    Under the direction of Dr. Phil Jones, the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia has, without fanfare, made the greatest methodological advance in the history of science. Their new procedure is without doubt the most elegant and sure way of proceeding from a pre-conceived idea to a foregone conclusion.
    Hitherto secret details of the practical application of this radical new method are available at http://www.climate-gate.org/ but the process can be summarised as follows:
    1. Obtain raw data
    2. Select sub-set apparently most consistent with required trend
    3. Analyse sub-set
    4. If result confirms trend, go directly to step 6
    5. Otherwise, re-select / re-analyse as necessary
    6. Extrapolate trend to apocalyptic conclusion
    7. Prepare excuses for non-release of data in response to FoIA / EIR requests
    8. If 7 fails, destroy raw data
    9. Prepare draft report
    10. Submit draft report to peer review
    11. If support unanimous, publish
    12. Otherwise:
    12.1 Browbeat dissenters into agreement
    OR
    12.2 Suppress their views
    OR
    12.3 Initiate ad hominem media campaign to discredit them
    13. Release press statement asserting ‘overwhelming support in the scientific community’
    14. In view of universal acclaim, submit claim for increased funding
    15. Return to step 1
    Footnote
    Below, without superfluous comment, the University of East Anglia’s disarmingly candid statement of its philosophical position:
    ‘UEA’s academic thinking was distinctive from the word go. The choice of ‘Do Different’ as the University’s motto was a deliberate signal that it was going to look at new ways of providing university education.’

  30. theStar.com
    We found 1 article for “climategate”
    * Articles (1)
    *
    Gorrie: Scientists were angry,
    but they didn’t lie
    Peter Gorrie November 28, 2009
    As at 2pm CST today Dec. 3rd, the Red Star has ONE reference to Climategate in it’s database:
    INCREDIBLE !

  32. I’m a first-time reader, and I coudl not agree more with every idea you’ve put forth in this post. It was obvious to me about a week ago that the MSM were unintentionally, but irrefutably, indicting themselves by their silence as co-conspirators in the whole thing, for all the world to see.

  33. CTV poll
    WTF does this mean?
    “Do you agree with proponents of the so-called ‘climate gate’ scandal?”
    An even more worthless poll than other internet polls.
    I think CG shows (to put it mildly) serious holes in AGW theory.
    How should I vote?

  34. Just voted on that very stupidly worded CTV poll. If I didn’t know better, I’d think they were trying to game the poll. /sarc

  35. The “AlGoracle” cancels his “Al-pocalyptical” lies.
    So I gather the George Soros financed, Maurice Strong inspired one world governance FRAUD has been exposed for the sham that it is.
    May the Copenhagen “Shaken Downin” (thanks Mark Steyn) and all it accessories and accomplices realize their just reward by the complete and utter failure of their designs.
    Sending all your propositions straight to Hell, back where they belong, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I extend to you a Merry CHRISTMAS!
    But I’m afraid it is a lump of burning coal in your shoes this year! Because you may want to stay warm rather than freezing in the dark.
    Much success with your biblically proportioned failure…
    Matthew 7:24-27
    24 “Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; 25 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; 27 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.”
    Cheers
    Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht BGS, PDP, CFP
    Commander in Chief
    Frankenstein Battalion
    2nd Squadron: Ulanen-(Lancers) Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von Baden (Rheinisches) Nr.7(Saarbrucken)
    Knecht Rupprecht Division
    Hans Corps
    1st Saint Nicolaas Army
    Army Group “True North”

  36. Gore’s motive for cancelling? He now realizes that Copenhagen is going to be a circus, and this time he can’t count on a submissive audience when he ridicules anyone who disagrees with him or is even in the least sceptical.
    Climategate will also be a week older, bringing with it a week more of god-knows-what revelations. There’s a much better chance that some of the people asking questions this time won’t stand for the usual smug replies. I think that this is the main factor in his decision — too many uncertainties that the buffoon and his supporting clowns can’t stage-manage.
    And, of course, Copenhagen is going to fail. He won’t want to be there for that outcome.

  37. By now I’ve heard all possible excuses for CPC not fulfilling campaign promises.
    Do you guys at least understand, that by offering more excuses you are motivating the party to deliver even less?
    What a bunch of defeatists you are.

  38. ET- Shame, guilt, remorse, are not in the vocabulary of the true con man. How else could one steal from widows and orphans?
    Since you’ve done a pretty good job pegging Obama’s particular psychosis, why don’t you have a go at Gore? I’m thinking megalomaniac. What do you think?

  40. From my point of view in the UK it would appear that the BBC are by far the worst offenders in all this. Here we have a national broadcaster funded by a compulsory tax that is imposed upon anyone who watches a television, whether they watch BBC programmes or not. In times past the BBC had an awesome reputation globally, as the people to go to for unbiassed information and truth. Yet we have, as yet unconfirmed, information suggesting that FOIA actually sent the leaked information to the BBC first, in effect offering them the scoop of the decade. Instead of taking the opportunity to blow the warming scam sky high, it appears that they stuck to their rules of impartiality and sat on the story for a whole month in the laughable hope that it would blow over. Even after the story broke they spent several days pretending that it didn’t exist. Even today (3/12) the BBC website offers no links on the story, presumably out of twenty million potential results they have been unable to find a single one that toes the BBC line.

  41. From my point of view in the UK it would appear that the BBC are by far the worst offenders in all this. Here we have a national broadcaster funded by a compulsory tax that is imposed upon anyone who watches a television, whether they watch BBC programmes or not. In times past the BBC had an awesome reputation globally, as the people to go to for unbiassed information and truth. Yet we have, as yet unconfirmed, information suggesting that FOIA actually sent the leaked information to the BBC first, in effect offering them the scoop of the decade. Instead of taking the opportunity to blow the warming scam sky high, it appears that they stuck to their rules of impartiality and sat on the story for a whole month in the laughable hope that it would blow over. Even after the story broke they spent several days pretending that it didn’t exist. Even today (3/12) the BBC website offers no links on the story, presumably out of twenty million potential results they have been unable to find a single one that toes the BBC line.

  43. Environment Minister Jim Prentice said the government believes that human activity is causing climate change.
    Tell him what you believe, and where he can put his Carbon Tax on Everything.
    Constituency Office
    Suite 105
    1318 Centre St NE
    Calgary, Alberta T2E 2R7
    403 216-7777
    Fax 403 230-4368
    Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca

  44. Now wait…apart from one blog – has Gore REALLY cancelled his Copenhagen speech? It’s not in any non-blog site.

  46. Article from 2007*.
    …-
    “When you add it all up, this is a flimflam of epic proportions:
    First, Gore sets up a company that will invest in other companies that will benefit from global warming alarmism
    Second, Gore gets some Hollywood types to fund and produce a movie designed to scare the c-c-carbon out of the population
    Third, Gore travels the world promoting this movie, while pushing the view that a cataclysm is imminent if the world doesn’t immediately act
    Fourth, an adoring media falls for the con hook, line, and sinker. Rather than debunking the flaws in the theories, the media promote every word of it while advancing the concept that Gore’s views represent those of an overwhelming majority of scientists
    Fifth, scared governments and citizens across the globe invest in alternative energy programs driving up the shares of companies Gore’s group has already invested in
    Sixth, Gore and his cronies make billions as they laugh all the way to the bank at the stupidity of their fellow citizens America — what a country!”
    …-
    “Media Ignore Al Gore’s Financial Ties to Global Warming
    As NewsBusters reported here, here, and here, there are huge dollars to be made from global warming alarmism. However, conceivably no one is better positioned to financially benefit from this scam than Dr. Global Warming himself, former Vice President Al Gore, a fact that the media will surely not share with Americans any time soon.
    Yet, if America’s press would take some time out of their busy schedules covering the earth-shattering details surrounding Anna Nicole Smith’s demise, they might find a deliciously inconvenient truth about the soon-to-be-Dr. Gore that is significantly more fascinating and diabolical than anything likely to emerge from that courtroom in Broward County, Florida.
    As reported by Dan Riehl (emphasis mine throughout):” (more)
    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399602/posts

  47. The MSM have certainly shafted themselves on this one. I suspect that their belief was, “It isn’t a story if we don’t tell it. So . . .” In other words, if they didn’t show up for the game, there was no game to be played. But guess what? All they’ve done is prove, irrevocably that in fact, the game can carry on perfectly well without them. The facts were leaked. The analysis began and continued (and with far more skill and depth than the MSM could ever muster). The debate was joined on both sides of the issue. Politicians were contacted (I wrote to several). A ground swell for action and response has been initiated. And in all of this, where has the MSM been? LOB? No. MIA? No. Try cowardice and desertion in the face of the enemy. Hide in the chateau and the bullets won’t touch you.
    The only reason I bother with CTV or CBC news at all, on the rare occasions I watch them, is from a morbid curiosity to see if they’ve picked up the ball or if they are still blathering on about Tiger Woods’ cut on his nose. They are beyond pathetic — like some old punch drunk fighter in the nursing home swinging at the air who still thinks he’s back in the ring, and that the roaring in his ears is the crowd cheering him on.

  49. Just called Prentice’ office, spoke to a very nice lady, but she said to send detailed email.
    These guys need to be flooded. My email is on the way.
    By the way, phone calls, if received in large enough numbers get attention … so do that too and insist on talking to the gate keeper about your views as those views filter down to the minister.
    Do it.

  50. dp- no, I don’t think Gore is a megalomaniac.
    He’s just a non-intellectual, unintelligent, unscientific romanticist. Add this to the fact that he has a lifelong basic streak of religious evangelism, of feeling that he can access The Truth and can Save Others. This means that you’ve got someone who can’t think or analyze, who has a tendency to believe in Final Sin and the Purity of Redemption..and that’s all there is to Al Gore.
    And socially, there’s his elitism that comes from a privileged background where he’s never had to work or study hard; he’s never been in a situation where he had to prove that his ideas were ‘right’. He’s an idealogue, living in a world made up of ideas and ideals that have no connection to reality. Add this to his romanticism and evangelism..puff and stuff.
    That’s all there is to Al Gore.

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