[artichokegrower]

The statement was originally posted by CEI’s Rand Simberg and then re-posted on National Review’s blog by Mark Steyn, both of whom are included in the lawsuit.

Poor ol' Mark Steyn getting sued again. Didn't the entire nation of Canada sue him once?

[C210N]

Well child molester is pretty low of the low. In fact, there is only one niche lower: politician. But then, I [essentially] repeat myself.

[colorado tanker]

My prediction is at the end of the day Michael Mann’s libel suit will do every bit as much for him as Oscar Wilde’s suit did for him.

[Dr. Sivana]

Comparing someone to a child molester in style, but not actual deed is not the same as calling him a child molester.

[Jim Robinson]

Climate change deniers? Oh, come on. No one denies that the climate changes. Hell, it changes here daily.

[Smokin' Joe]

Actually, Free Dominion has been shut down over a similar lawsuit in Canada.

The case is being appealed, but the initial ruling holds that the host of a site can be held liable for the statements made by the posters.

As far as Mann goes, when one considers the implications of the fable, the hockey stick, and the damage done to science and scientific discourse and inquiry, not to mention the economic devastation wrought in the name of stopping a natural process attributed to humans (but in hiatus), merely destroying one child's innocence and damaging them for life (not a crime I view lightly) pales in comparison to what has been done to billions of people.

[Valpal1]

Steyn was actually making a comparison between the respective university cover ups, not directly comparing Mann to a child molester.

[William Tell]

From the linked article: "... for Mann to win his case, his lawyers must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the statement was published maliciously, and with knowledge of its falsity."

"Beyond a reasonable doubt"? That sounds like a suspiciously high burden of proof for a civil case.

It will be interesting to see how Mann fares in an arena not necessarily sympathetic to "scientists".

[Chode]

you mean he's NOT??? coulda fooled me...

[abb]

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/01/michael_mann_the_penn_state_pr.html#incart_m-rpt-2

Michael Mann: The Penn State professor who went from stormless scientist to climate crusader

[RichInOC]

Actually, shouldn’t the Chesters be suing Mark for comparing climate scientists to them?

[abb]

Here’s the real goal.

http://www.salon.com/2014/01/30/a_defamation_lawsuit_may_kill_national_review/

A defamation lawsuit may kill National Review

[GOPJ]

In the statement, Simberg calls Mann “the Jerry Sandusky of climate science, except that instead of molesting children, he has molested and tortured data in the service of politicized science that could have dire economic consequences for the nation and planet.” Stern then writes: “Not sure I’d have extended that metaphor all the way into the locker-room showers with quite the zeal Mr Simberg does, but he has a point.”

He has a point...