Debating Malicious Ignorance, 1000frolly, Lord Monckton, et al.

    

Often in my spare time I check out YouTube because they have some great lectures and other Earth science videos that are fun to watch and learn from.  Of course, YouTube is also saturated with a lot of trash and worse, and I do my best to steer away from it.  Unfortunately, google/YouTube are always shoving videos into your face according to google's algorithms and I'm constantly being confronted with incredibly stupid climate science denial videos.  

In particular one channel going by 1000frolly, which I have reason to think may be none other than that master of oratory and lies Lord Monckton, has been pumping out science denial videos like there's no tomorrow.  I've tangled with him a couple times and have my comments disappear - so much for them wanting serious debate, but it's useless and consumes too much precious time that I do my best to avoid his nonsense. 

Then, while gathering links for my upcoming evolution of our atmosphere post, I got hit with another one, this time he's going after Potholer54 the creator of one of the best YouTube series dedicated to explaining climate science to regular people and it irritated me enough that I put my other project on hold (yet again) to give this video and its claims a closer look.  

I'm embedding the original Potholer54 video after my critique of Lord frolly's claims, as usual I supply plenty of supporting evidence, including links to GISS FAQs.  I finish up with a cut and paste from the index (linked to their webpages) 2001 IPCC working group one, on the "physical basis".  I do this because it puts the lie to climate contrarian's moldy mantra, 'there is no science' - you just need the curiosity and interest to make the effort to learn about it.  

_____________________________________________

The Evidence for Climate Change WITHOUT Potholer54 - Revised 

1000frolly … aka Lord Monckton?

Published on Apr 22, 2015

"The Evidence for Climate Change Without Models or the IPCC" is critiqued.

Identified problems;

1) Incorrect use of the term 'climate change'; term is used refer only to a hypothetical and totally unproven anthropogenic climate change.

Confronting Willful Ignorance - dedicated to 1000frolly YouTube channel, Lord Monckton

This one's dedicated to Lord 1000frolly's YouTube channel.  I use Lord frolly because I have reason to think the character behind the YouTube channel is none other than bad old Lord Monckton, the undisputed master of political theater.  It's of interest to me, because the channel has been flooding YouTube with stuff that can only be described as a strategic campaign of malicious misinformation with the intent of interfering with We The People's right to honestly learn from what serious scientists (who have spent full time professional careers become expert in aspects of climate) have been learning and trying to explain to us and our leaders.  

I'm working on a post looking at a video where he takes on Potholer54 and this was going to be my final section, but it was already too long and I figured this would make a great preamble to my next post.  I wanted to include it underscore the fact that these are old stale argument that have been thoroughly examined and dismissed as the evidence has evolved over these past decades.

What I have here is the linked index to SkepticalScience's resource that explains the problems with the whole rainbow of contrarian talking points.  Definitely a one stop resource for quick information and important references.

Lord 1000frolly's echo-chamber debate style - "Ghosting" challenging comments

edited 12/30/15 am
There's a character out there in YouTube land who's been pumping out incredibly deceitful videos at a prodigious rate.  Rumor has it, it's none other than Lord Monckton.  When I asked him directly he was very coy about it.  I would expect no less from one of the world's foremost political entertainers.  I'd already had a couple comment go-around with 1000frolly, and I have an acquaintance with the Lord going back five years now, so I wasn't surprised that he (er… 1000frolly) has chosen to "Ghost" me at the 1000frolly YouTube channel.

This from men who self-righteously demand that serious full-time working professionals stop everything to run off for a kangaroo debate with self-certain dabblers.  Interestingly, these same people never stand up to a constructive debate themselves?  Nor do they ever learn from information that's been shared?

To underscore the disingenuous nature of their challenge, they refuse to follow through on serious fact based rational debates that they are challenged with, instead opting to remain within their echo-chamber.

One tactic is "Ghosting" - challenging commenters on one's YouTube channel.   
How "Ghosting" works is that a targeted individual can see his/her own comments when logged in, making it appear that your comments are a part of the discussion.  However, if you log out of your account and return to the same video you will see that your comment has disappeared, for example: 

See, nicely cleansed of all questions and information challenging their party-line.

1000frolly and how the science denying PR machine operates

Lately I've been marveling at the prodigious output of disingenuous climate science ridiculing videos by a certain 1000frolly at YouTube.  He went into over-drive around the Paris climate conference:

4 in the past 24 hours (+4)

11 in the past 2 days (+7)

19 in the past week (+8)

27 in the past 2 weeks (+8)

31 in the past 3 weeks (+4)

39 in the past month (+8)

Everything from "The rise of eco terrorism" - "our last year of freedom?" - to "human CO2 emission are wholly beneficial" - to claiming the scientific understanding of greenhouse gases is a big hoax, of course, ignoring all the modern marvels that demand and in their own way prove that thorough understanding!  

His videos exude such a contempt for Earth's physical being and processes - along with hostility and a contrived paranoid attitude towards their 'opponents' and the established scientific community at large, that I've been increasingly curious about who's behind this YouTube Channel.  

Today I came across an indication that this 1000frolly might be the infamous  Lord  Monckton himself.  This piqued my interest since I've had a few go-arounds with both 1000frolly and the Lord himself, whom I'll admit I studied closely for a while and am in awe of, as a political performer that is.  Unfortunately, the substance of his rhetoric is loaded with malicious fraud.  

Trying to solve the mystery I visited two of his YouTube vids and asked him straight out if he was Lord Monckton, so far no response. (1000frolly has responded with the highbrow: "Sorry; I only answer scientific questions.")  Later while trying to track down more information I came across this excellent exposition on one particular chapter in the War on Science which did such a good job of detailing the networks and connection at work, including Monckton and 1000frolly, that I thought it should be added to my collection.  Regarding the mystery of who's behind 1000frolly if anyone out there has any information please do share.

Now I will hand it over to John Mashey who has done some detailed research into the ways and means of the climate science contrarian PR campaign again people's right to learn about serious climate science and their one and only planet.

\

https://www.desmogblog.com/2013/08/25/defamation-by-internet-part-1-murry-salbys-short-lived-blog-storm

In the beginning, Lord Lawson's Idea... the GWPF

I keep trying to finish my response to Will H's last comment, but in the process, all sorts of interesting diversions distract my attention.  Stories that stand alone and that I see as evidence supporting the message I'm trying to enunciate far better than my clumsy words can.  This one is another look at some of the "great people on the other side" of this debate, their motives and maneuvers.

A popular political myth is that today's vocal opposition to the overwhelming scientific "consensus" is some sort of noble intellectual effort.  When in actuality it's no such thing!  Here's an inside look at just what an orchestrated cynical, power-politics driven act it really is.

Brendan Montague wrote this a couple months back.  I've posting some interesting excerpts, hoping it will encourage you to read the complete version.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who Was Actually Behind Lord Lawson's Idea to Create the Global Warming Policy Foundation?

By Brendan Montague • Tuesday, September 8, 2015 

This DeSmog UK epic history post explains how Lord Lawson’s climate denying Global Warming Policy Foundation was actually created.

Lord Christopher Monckton 2013 - The Republican poster boy

Lord Christopher Monckton is one of the proofs that the climate science "skeptical" community is dependent on a repetition of artfully crafted misrepresentations, misdirection and an acceptance of blatant lying.  

The infamous threatener of lawsuits, Lord Monckton's popularity continues despite the fact that he's been proven a liar on dozens of counts a hundred times over.  {There are three in particular that stand above the rest - John Abraham, Barry Bickmore and Collin Maessen.} 

Australian MP Dennis Jensen trusts Lord Monckton. Why would that be?

I came across the following article from the Australian news source
"The Age - Federal Politics"

"Climate sceptic MP Dennis Jensen wants to be science minister"

by Jonathan Swan  -  9/12/2013

Coalition MP Dennis Jensen, who is a vocal climate science sceptic, has called on Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott to appoint him as science minister... 

{...} 

"In the climate area there is appeal to authority and appeal to consensus, neither of which is scientific at all," Dr Jensen told Fairfax Media on Thursday... 

{In truth, it's down to Earth evidence that's driving the scientific understanding.} 

{...} 

The colourful Englishman, Lord Christopher Monckton, who toured Australia to debunk the "bogus science" of global warming, was closer to the mark, Dr Jensen suggested.
"Most of the stuff [Lord Monckton] says is entirely reasonable," Dr Jensen said.
"Some of it I don't agree with but on the whole a lot of what he says is in my view correct." 

{...}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

What I find amazing is that MP Dennis Jensen has no problem with the fact that Lord Monckton is a confirmed serial liar.  Now admittedly Monckton is a first class political performer, but his scientific understanding is superficial and his claims are calculated to mislead.  The Lord's many claims are easily exposed - as has been done by many people, many times over. 

To be clear, Monckton's claims hold no weight in the serious world of grown-up professional climatologists and other Earth scientists.  Why should they hold weight with the leaders of nations?

The Lord Christopher Monckton Files - an index

I was looking at the actor Topher's "50 to 1 Project's" "supporting data" - it is a single sheet titled  "Is CO2 mitigation cost-effective?" and it was composed by none other than the infamous Lord Christopher Monckton.  

Some fancy terms, lot of numbers tossed out so that the uneducated is expected to be impressed and accept it's veracity, simply because it looks so impressive.  {like that "Oregon Petition" thing}

Thing is, it looks like something a con-man would offer up to convince the gullible to part with their money: "I figured it all out, look at my numbers, we can't go wrong, trust me, now give your cash already!"

As it happens, exactly three years ago I was giving Christopher Monckton's claims a lot of attention.  In fact, we even had a short lived email correspondence going, which lead to a whole series of further emails that I posted at my citizenschallenge.blogspot.

Considering Christopher Monckton seems to be Topher's Braintrust for his 50 to 1 project  - these links to reviews of this scoundrel and serial liar is in order.  Admittedly, I'm no professional writer and these posts were written three years ago, so expect some untidiness, still the information within is sound and supported by links to authoritative sources.  I've also added a few videos.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

The Lord Christopher Monckton Files - an index

Who Is Lord Christopher Monckton?

http://citizenschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-lord-christopher-monckton.html

Anthony, Watts Up With Those WUWT HotWhoppers? AN INDEX

Over the past few days I've been getting acquainted with the blog HotWhopper.com because it has done a good job of tracking Anthony Watts' increasingly irrational assault on the science of climatology.  She's only been at it for a few months, but has produced many posts worth sharing.

Since getting information out there to folks who are being lied to by the well oiled disinformation machine is my main goal ~ of which Anthony Watts is a leading light ~ I have compiled an index with short descriptive teaser quotes.  For your reference as well as for sharing with others.

Sou, at HotWhopper, I tip my hat to all the work you have put into your excellent blog.

Right Wing folk hero Lord Monckton thrown out of Doha climate talks

Ukip's Lord Monckton thrown out of Doha climate talks

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/dec/07/doha-climate-talks-ukip-lord-monckton

• Fiona Harvey in Doha
  

  • guardian.co.uk   Friday 7 December 2012 12.58 EST

  "... The former deputy leader of Ukip, Lord Monckton, has been ejected from the Doha climate change talks and permanently banned after impersonating a delegate from Burma on the conference floor.
  At one of the sessions, Monckton assumed the seat for Burma in place of the real delegate, and addressed the hall from his microphone. He spoke for nearly a minute, before being escorted out. 

  He was ejected from the conference centre, had his badge revoked, and is thought to have left the country. The UN later confirmed he had been permanently barred from future rounds of the talks. Monckton did not respond to requests for comment by the Guardian. 

  Monckton told the conference: "In the 16 years we have been coming to these conferences, there has been no global warming at all. . ."

For those interesting in more information regarding Mr. Monckton may I recommend some further resources:

WUWT: ‘Skeptical’ ‘Science’ gets it all wrong – yet again...

I know people who seriously claim that Watts Up With That is a scientifically informative website.  
So why then does Anthony Watts post stuff like this thing?  It's authored by none other than the grand Lord of contrarian political performance artists Lord C. Monckton of Benchley.

What he wrote was so plainly deceptive I felt compelled to reprint it along with appropriate informational links to help clear through his smoke and mirrors.

As for Monckton's over the top complaints about SkepticalScience.com, why shouldn't people try to gather as much information as possible?  SkepticalScience is a repository for the growing body of climate related science publications.  It's there for easy public access.  And those folks certainly don't deserve the kind of attacks they have been enduring lately.

Open letter to Christopher Monckton -- Please return to the debate

The continuing saga of exposing the Black Knight of AGW denialism has reached a new crescendos, first Peter Hadfield's masterful exposure and entertaining take-down of Christopher Monckton's traveling snake-oil medicine show, with a series of educational videos. Now Monckton is running from the debate he himself demanded.

Enquiring minds want to know: when will Lord Monckton finally succumb in his own pool of lies?

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Open letter to Christopher Monckton ~

Please return to the debate . . .

"Don’t mock the Monck" ~ WUWT 11/20/11 ~ Anthony's claims examined

 I'd like to examine another post over at WUWT 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/11/20/dont-mock-the-monck/
Don’t mock the Monck
Posted on November 20, 2011 by Anthony Watts

“Apparently, Monckton is a member of the House of Lords, according to constitutional lawyer in England.”
{...}
“Monckton, on returning from Australia from his tour this autumn, consulted Hugh O’Donoghue, a leading constitutional lawyer at Carmelite Chambers. . .”

Yet if one takes the time to look up their member profile here’s what you’ll find for Hugh O’Donoghue:

A Comment at Watt's Up With That

 I've just posted the following at Watt's Up With That - 
it remains to be seen if their moderator decides to trash it... 
thus for good measure I figured I should 
document the post over here:

It concerns the discussion over there that seems to have 
gotten side tracked on Monckton's peerage rather on 
Monckton's serial misrepresentations of science and quotes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Well it's official this comment did not get through 
the censors at WUWT, 
although their comments are finally moving away from peerage nonsense.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What's with this diversion about the Lord this or Lord that?
...
Monckton misrepresents both his standing as a member of the House of Lords as "FaceFirst" pointed out [January 16, 2012 at 5:16 am], if you don't believe him try to find Monckton's name on the official list of members [http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/lords/]
And then there's this official reprimand demanding Monckton stop making these false claims: http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2011/july/letter-to-viscount-monckton/
~ ~ ~ 
quoting from that letter:
"Letter to Viscount Monckton of Brenchley from David Beamish, the Clerk of the Parliaments.


Dear Lord Monckton
My predecessor, Sir Michael Pownall, wrote to you on 21 July 2010, and again on 30 July 2010, asking that you cease claiming to be a Member of the House of Lords, either directly or by implication. 
It has been drawn to my attention that you continue to make such claims. . ."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
He has also misrepresented is roll as Prime Minister Thatcher's advisor.  
From SPPI's personnel page: "SPPI's Chief Policy Adviser: Lord Monckton, UK: -- Christopher, Third Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, was Special Advisor to Margaret Thatcher as UK Prime Minister from 1982 to 1986. . ."
and then the lavish claims made here at WUWT see:
“Margaret Thatcher: the world’s first climate realist”
Posted on June 16, 2010 by Anthony Watts

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/06/16/margaret-thatcher-the-world%E2%80%99s-first-climate-realist/

...
Yet the man isn’t mentioned once in Margaret Thatcher’s 914 page autobiography.  In fact, she credits one George Guise as being her science policy advisor.
~ ~ ~ 
Why don’t such “inconsistencies” send up red flags to thinking skeptics?

And isn’t all this attempting to build up the Lord’s supposed “authority” in the eyes of his audience nothing more than an appeal to authority?  I thought you folks attack ‘appeals to authority’ why is it OK for the Lord to play that card so eloquently?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

But the real concern should be over his constant misreporting scientific work as
John Abraham [http://www.stthomas.edu/engineering/jpabraham/] and
Peter Hadfield [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbW-aHvjOgM] have documented?

The Lord Christopher Monckton Files

Considering the recent dust up between Monckton plus Anthony Watts v. Peter Hadfield aka Potholer54 - 
I figured I should repost these for interested students 

of the politics of Anthropogenic Global Warming denial. 

And to highlight that Monckton’s record of deception goes way back.

Admittedly the following isn’t the best 
since I am simply an interested citizen 

and neither an academician nor journalist, 

but the parade of deception has driven me to do 
what little I can to oppose it.

Please feel free to use any of the following - 

where I reference other sources please 
be sure to include those references.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

WUWT champions and cheers Monckton's lies, fortunately Peter Hadfield gives an excellent response

LORD MONCKTON FEATURED AT
WATT'S UP WITH THAT
{Peter Hadfield’s video taped response within}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
  First there was YouTube’s “Potholer54” video series 

“Monckton’s Bunkum” highlighting the Lord’s “errors.”
Then someone compiled and posted a list of those errors.  
Anthony can explain the rest:
~ ~ ~

"Monckton answers a troll"
WUWT Post September 18th, 2011, by Anthony Watts
“This is a response by Christopher Monckton to the comment on the "Nurse anti'science thread yesterday by anonymous commenter “The other Brian” who in typical troll style, tries to distract away from the post and point being made - with noise    {signed}, Anthony Watts. {...}”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Peter Hadfield replied to this post by making another YouTube video with a point by point, evidence backed, indictment of the Lord's stated claims and denials, which can be viewed below.