Support Willie Soon and science: This mudball gets return-to-sender

JoNova (Australia)
When personal, ad hominem attacks are launched against a scientist there is no upside for science. People who care about science discuss the science, not the scientist’s-biography. Instead there are five potentially ugly outcomes that the mudslingers are presumably aiming for:

1. The target scientist may be effectively silenced: spectators tune out. Weaker journalists feel less inclined to cite them for fear of the push-back against themselves.
2. Another day where the scientific national conversation wallows in the gutter instead of discussing science.
3. The target scientist feels dissuaded.  Who needs this hassle?
4. The message to thousands of silent skeptical scientists is unmistakable –  “don’t speak” or you’re next.
5. Philanthropists, and corporate donors feel the heat too, and may (if they are not made of strong stuff) figure that their funding does more harm than good. This starves independent science of essential support.

These attacks don’t raise a single scientific argument. Their aim is not “better science”.  Let’s turn the pain back on the mudslinger and those who aid and abet. It won’t be so much fun for them if each attack makes us stronger, crystallizes support, and exposes their anti-science intent."