Posted on 03/16/2024 4:24:58 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Climate bully Michael Mann, with mixed results, has been suing those who criticize his “hockey stick” graph of climate history. This 1998 graph purported to show that global temperature was stable until about 1900 when human-induced warming struck. In February, Mann scored a $1 million libel judgement against Canadian columnist Mark Steyn in a court in the District of Columbia. Steyn has responded with an appeal.
Punitive damages are typically calculated as a ratio to actual damages. With only $1 in actual damages, the ratio in this case is a staggering million to one. This amount is so excessive that there doesn’t seem to be any precedent for it, according to Steyn’s appeal.
On the other hand, the appeal does cite numerous precedents to support a decision to reduce an excessive award. In one example, the DC court of appeals referred to a 1:145 ratio as “staggering.” An award can be overturned based on DC law, on the First Amendment, or as a violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. A more reasonable five-to-one ratio would result in Mann taking home $6 instead of a million.
Steyn called Mann’s graph “fraudulent” and compared him to a child molester. Opinions are protected free speech, a principle that should cover both of these statements.
Mann’s lawyer stressed the need for punitive damages to punish “climate deniers.” This is a propagandistic description designed to encourage association with “holocaust denier” and “election denier.” To punish a defendant for his political opinion is to turn the First Amendment on its head.
Steyn’s case has been before the courts for twelve years. Nobody involved lives in DC. Mann won through the use of court shopping. In 2019, he lost a similar case against Tim Ball in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
It was a DC jury trial. Facts did not matter. Political persuasion is all that mattered.
I’ve been surprised by that too. Individuals can help fund Steyn’s legal efforts by making purchases at his website. For instance, he offers gift certificates in amounts up to several thousands of dollars. These can be redeemed for merchandise like books, coffee mugs, etc. or left unredeemed in which case they become a de facto donation:
bttt
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