Re: Realclimate deals with Cockburn

[Jim Devine <jdevine03@xxxxxxxxx>]

Louis Proyect wrote:
> This is from June 7th but I don't think it has been mentioned here yet.
>
> http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/06/cockburns-form/#more-451

from that source:
> The first thing one notices is that Cockburn always tries to shy away
from giving the impression he came up with any of his anti-global
warming theories himself. In each case, there is a trusted 'advisor'
or acquaintance who is available to inform Cockburn of the latest
foolishness. In 2001 it was Pierre Sprey "a man knowledgeable about
the often disastrous interface between environmental prediction and
computer models" and now it is Dr. Martin Hertzberg "a meteorologist
for three years in the U.S. Navy". Neither of whom appear to have any
peer reviewed work in the field.<

FWIW, Cockburn hasn't changed his method, just his madness. It used to
be, for example, that he'd quote the excellent radical economist Bob
Pollin on economics issues (even though Cockburn doesn't know anything
about economics as far as I know). Cockburn used to be a lefty and now
his contrarian tendencies seem to be leading him to the right. Did
this trend start with his positive attitude toward  "wise use" and the
like? It'd be interesting to see how and why Alex crossed the line...

It's a little like the old leftoid activist Saul Allinsky. Allinsky
was all tactics (or strategy) and no theory. Cockburn became all
contrariness and no commitment.
--
Jim Devine /  "if there's an original thought out there, I could use
it right now." -- Bob Dylan & Sam Shepherd.