Re: [Phys-l] Prof. Hal Lewis resigns from APS

[marx@phy.ilstu.edu]

John & others,

Thanks for the message.  I agree that Lewis' letter should have only focused on the points made about 
the operation of the APS leadership with regard to its policy statement and the petition.  I think it is 
important for skeptics (not so-called deniers) to focus on demanding a separation of politics and 
science.  We should be able to focus on the methods and data to ascertain what is happening and how 
it is happening without being accused of being some kind of crackpot and subject to ad homenim 
attacks.  Most people, however, have gotten in the habit of evaluating the person's background and 
reputation, instead of looking at their data, methods, and arguments.

Yes, we want science to work as it should and that the public can have confidence in the findings of 
science.  Thus, it is up to scientists to make sure that everything is correct and understandable and to 
communicate the information in a clear manner, void of politics.




On 18 Oct 2010 at 11:31, A. John Mallinckrodt wrote:

> I don't think this piece from a few days ago has received mention yet:
>
>   http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/15/a-physicists-climate-complaints/
>
> It seems to me to be both a measured and reasonable response to the Lewis brouhaha.  
>
> After rereading Lewis' words several times my own position is that Lewis, who has no background in and gives no indication of any significant personal understanding of climate research, should be thoroughly ashamed of himself for providing such potent fodder not simply to global warming skeptics, but to anti-science forces in general. His astoundingly intemperate remarks (literally accusing the climate research community and APS of willful fraud in pursuit of riches) will do grave damage to science and to the forces of reason.  
>
> Regardless of one's position on the scientific merits of AGW, the scientific community should be 100% united in abhorring Lewis' irresponsibility.  For a scientist to hold him up as some kind of Martin Luther as many in the anti global warming community have done is not merely misguided, but shameful.
>
> John Mallinckrodt
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