When true believers suppress dissent

We tend to think of those who would suppress dissent as authoritarian -- perhaps even totalitarian. The banning of all contrary opinions is something done by those who fear the truth, who know that their ideas couldn't stand the harsh light that shines on a free intellectual marketplace. We associate such behavior with dictatorial regimes: Nazis, Communists, and the like. But of journalists and scientists? Nah.

Think again.

A large segment of the scientific and journalistic communities are so convinced that anthropogenic global warming is settled scientific fact, they cannot tolerate even the idea that anyone could question the Revealed Truth. Man-caused climate change is a fact, in their view, and anyone who dares to question the received wisdom is placed on a level with Holocaust deniers.

The San Francisco Chronicle's Debra Saunders throws a bright light of her own on the "deniers list" published by the Society of Environmental Journalists:

If you want to convince the world that an overwhelming majority of scientists believes in global warming, then start by ignoring scientists who are not true believers. First, establish lists of scientists with your approved position, then smear dissidents. Soon, up-and-coming scientists will be afraid to cross the rigid green line.

So, the Society of Environmental Journalists put together a guide on climate change that lists a number of publications on global warming, scientists and seven environmental groups, each with positive descriptions. Under the "Deniers, Dissenters and 'Skeptics'" category are four listings -- all negative. They suggest that these folk are venal, partisan and bad scientists, or all of the above.

It ought to tell you something that the SEJ's list focuses not on scientific qualifications or empirical evidence of anthropogenic global warming, but on personal bits of background dug up on each person on their hit-list, designed to smear their qualifications, not consider their arguments. Coming from supposed seekers after the truth, the irony is rich.

If man-caused global warming is a fact, what are they afraid of?

(hat tip: Blue Crab Boulevard)

 

Technorati tags: global warming, climate change, Society of Environmental Journalists, intellectual freedom, free speech, Debra Saunders