State-funded Science Institutions Host Keynote by Fringe Anti-Science Guy

3 thoughts on “State-funded Science Institutions Host Keynote by Fringe Anti-Science Guy”

1. I looked the guy up. He has a B.S. degree in physics and mathematics; an M.A. in management. Hardly qualified to be a spokesperson on anything relating to climate or meteorology. He has yet to make the list of climate misinformers on http://www.skepticalscience.com   .

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2. Oh come on, PK. Aren't you aware that Casey is "America's best climate prediction expert?" That's true (I read it on the interwebs).

   Who awarded this title to Casey? A: Dr. Richard Swier.

   Who's he? A: The publisher of drrichswier.com, of course. And a contributer to watchdogwire.com (here's the glowing (smoldering?) Love song to J.L. Casey) [with apologies to T.S. Eliot]. 

   Is that all? A: No. Swier also sits on the Board of Directors of the "Sunspots Cause Eruptions & Earthquakes & Incontinence International and A#1 Prediction Service and Flower Delivery Corporation." Surprised? Which just happens to share a phone number and physical address with the Space & Science & Soapscum & Ceiling Stripper Research Corporation. Still surprised?

   Would you like to buy my book? But wait, that's not all … if you order now, you'll also get a free prediction of when your garbage service will arrive following the imminent cold epoch (with the standard guarantee double your money back if you are not 110% satisfied). Operators are standing by … 

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3. Claudette Konola, who ran against Ray "NEXT!" Scott for (s)election, has her Sentinel column today on this.  http://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/articles/salesman-yes-scientist-no

   Since learning about the outrage of some local scientists at the choice of speaker, I’ve been trying to find out as much as possible about the man, and how he got to be invited. For a “well respected” scientist, there is little online evidence supporting that label. There is, however, lots of evidence suggesting he is an entrepreneur looking to find the path to quick riches. He is the registered agent or chief executive officer on more than 25 companies filed with the Florida Secretary of State — most of which are not currently active.

   Casey’s current employer, the Space and Science Research Center, has only a P.O. Box address. It is hard to imagine any meaningful research being done at a P.O. Box, with one staffer and two colleagues, one from Bulgaria. The site says that most of their funding comes from “donations” which are not tax deductible, and the sale of their publications, especially a quarterly newsletter at $8.95 a pop.

   Casey has written two books: “Dark Winter” and “Cold Sun.” Using the “look inside” feature at Amazon Books, it appears it is the same book with two different publishers — at least the table of contents is identical.

   The books have been promoted by the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, through their network of “reporters” at WatchDog.org. Wikipedia has this to say about Franklin: “According to Internal Revenue Service records, 95% of Franklin’s revenue in 2011 came from a charity called DonorsTrust. … DonorsTrust distributed US$86 million which … are private gifts and used for ‘funding sensitive or controversial issues,’ an arrangement said to obscure the identity of the donors wishing to keep their charitable giving private. Donors- Trust’s top contributors were Charles and David Koch.”

   Bonnie Peterson, formally of Club 20 now of Assoc Govts of NW CO (which was formally headed by former Rep. Scott McInnis cum Mesa BOCC member…)  also has a letter to the editor on the matter.  Basically those concerned about a charlatan presenting under the university's name at an 'educational' event are anti-smarts and knowledge.  

   Finally, John Casey, author of “Dark Winter,” will provide his perspective on impacts the Earth could see related to solar activity.  It is a different idea than has been vastly reported in the media, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn't’t be heard.  It is not a bad thing to hear different perspectives so you can decide for yourself how to plan for your energy future. 

   If you are interested in different ideas, join us this Friday — it’s free to the public.  If you are not interested and are offended by ideas that are different from your own, don’t attend. It’s still a free country.

   Don't think an unqualified hack should give the keynote at an 'educational' event sponsored by public science and 'higher' educational institutions, which are funded in large amount by your tax dollars?  

   Then you, comrade, are a freedom hater.  

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