Coming soon, Mann v. Steyn, in a US court near you - well, they're bound to televise it. But first, take a brief pause and read Steyn's short article in The National Review which is the red meat likely to be fought over by these two big cats in this latest and bestest 'rumble in the jungle'. For those, mostly Brit, readers unsure as to exactly what the Sandusky scandal was, it involved the coach of Penn State University's American football team who was, over a period of years, regularly sexually molesting young boys. The Penn State authorities were informed but refused to act partly, one supposes, because 'over there' college football teams attract big sponsorship deals.
As Steyn reminded us, Penn State still faces yet another potential scandal if, but only if, allegations concerning the work of their very own Prof. Michael Mann, the inventor of the fabulous 'hockey stick' graph, are proven. There is, perhaps, no more famous icon that Mann's 'hockey stick' which has been seized upon world-wide by the HAFs (Hot Air Fanatics) as a proof of their theory that we are all about to 'fry 'n' die' because of global warming - heh, chance would be a fine thing! These allegations arose because the 'hockey stick' has so far proven to be wildly out in its predictions but also because of the hacked e-mails from that other nest of HAFs at East Anglia University in which sundry 'scientists', including Michael Mann, were writing of "Mike's nature trick", "hide the decline" and so forth. Penn State conducted their own investigation and found Prof. Mann had acted absolutely properly but, alas, their so-called investigation into Sandusky's activities means that anything they pronounce upon is treated with derision.
It was Steyn's particular derision which has provoked Michael Mann into either a very brave act or a monumental folly - he has decided to sue Steyn and The National Revue. The critical point is that hitherto, Michael Mann has refused to release certain research papers for scrutiny by the scientific community. But now, Steyn's lawyers will have the legal right to scrutinise every single document ever produced by Mann including those he has so far wished to keep private.
This could make 'Climate-gate' look like a mere squabble. Can't wait!
Mickey Mann: he'll fold, I'll bet.
Posted by: dearieme | Sunday, 26 August 2012 at 17:02
No takers, I'm afraid, DM.
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 26 August 2012 at 19:53
What's the betting at Deltoid?
Posted by: A K Haart | Sunday, 26 August 2012 at 20:38
Don't know 'bout Deltoid AK - I'm betting David's Jag's £ will suffer over his (secretive flight outta Heathrow - until now!) ,er, insertion of "British influence" on behalf of his... ,er, well I don't know perzactly.
David? Why and how's come the name 'David Duff' is at the top of the "Top Performers" list at this Tampa Florida RNC event?
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/homocon-2012-party-brings-gay-rights-platform-rnc
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 26 August 2012 at 22:34
AK, I gave them a poke with a sharp stick through the bars of their cage yesterday which had them all shrieking and gibbering but, honestly, they are so childlike there's not much fun in it anymore.
JK, you have been looking at the world 'through a glass darkly' again! I cannot see my name anywhere on that link which is hardly surprising given that I am top of the bill in my stage name of Honey Lips!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 27 August 2012 at 09:45