[Coral-List] Politics welcome on coral reef free-for-all

[Ed Blume]

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I am most seriously suggesting that "somebody" (not me!) consider starting
a Coral Reef Curmudgeons (or Coral Reef Politics, or whatever) list using,
say Yahoo Groups. There you can call each other dirty rotten scoundrels,
you can post all kinds of illustrative or condemning pictures, you can say
whichever U.S. or state government agency is doing a rotten job because
so-and-so let his ego get in the way (or whatever), you can say Dr.
Blackshark falsified his results, you can say global warming is a big
liberal tree-hugging hoax manufactured to keep scientists employed, you can
post sarcasm intended to embarrass or provoke, or that all Dr. Blackshark's
research money is going to buy junkets to Bali in the name of some dubious
research pretext. Such a list might be refreshing, humorous, illuminating
and actually useful in letting off steam. New friendships and enemies will
be made, people may get embarrassed or feel vindicated, and havoc may
result, but some of the truths may enlighten us all. It would be a true,
free-wheelin' list to say what you think
​ ​
without government censorship. It's just an idea to consider. -- Jim
Hendee, who has no connection with this listserve other than suggesting its
creation.

Ed Blume
​Moderator​

608-225-6591


On Tue, May 20, 2014 at 2:19 PM, Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net> wrote:

>
>    Dear Pedro,
>    While I agree with you and Doug on substance, I feel compelled to
> reiterate
>    the point that Nicole made. Despite the lack of "scientific purity",
>  the
>    Idsos, Heartland, the NIPCC (and the like) have been able to create and
>    maintain the illusion that there is a level of moral equivalency to
> their
>    argument.. Rather than looking at it as confounding the issue, Gene
> presents
>    us with an opportunity to challenge that precept. Interestingly enough,
> more
>    often  than not,  Gene's mischievous musing are met with reticence and
>    quietude. The scientific community's preference to remain above the
> fray may
>    reveal something about why the "solid science" side is constantly on the
>    defensive. This may unfortunately have morphed (from a scientific) into
> a
>    political/ideological debate, but there comes a time when it is
> necessary to
>    engage and confront lest your silence be taken as concurrence.    Steve
>    -----Original Message-----
>    >From: Pedro H. RodrÃguez
>    >Sent: May 20, 2014 12:37 PM
>    >To: "coral-list at coral..aoml.noaa.gov"
>    >Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Political arguments on coral list
>    >
>    >While I value discussions related to corals that go beyond science, I
> agree
>    with Doug Fenner that posts whose aim or consequence is to mislead
> should
>    not be part of what the list posts. Regarding specific posts that Doug
>    mentions, articles published by lobbying groups with the sole intention
> of
>    influencing policy, and which disregard the latest science, are touted
> as
>    "peer-reviewed",  and given the same weight as articles based on solid
>    science. Yes, yes.... even "solid science" is biased, the author of
> those
>    posts will argue, because the authors selected the subject
> subjectively, and
>    blah, blah, blah.... But the aim of coral-list is not to argue these
> points
>    and confound the issues, for the sake of just arguing. People have
> better
>    things to do.
>    >
>    >Pedro
>    >_______________________________________________
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>    >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
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