They're at it again

This news piece came out today. The president of the NSW Farmers Association is quoted:

"We're very concerned that the ability for people to put the other side of the argument in the science debate has been totally gagged over the last year or two and the only way you can bring that out and have it out in to the open without the vilification that's occurred in the past is to have a royal commission"

Now, a piece-by-piece dissection of what is obviously a politically motivated statement is probably not neccesary, BUT, how many on this "other side" are being villified? Who is actually doing the gagging? Is it really happening at all?

Perhaps the rational climate scientists would be interested in all that too, might shut a few people up. Here again we have an example of someone not understanding that science is not simply a debate where someone wins (presumably on points - which to some extent would have the deniers ahead at the moment). This is a crazy notion - that a Royal Commission could "answer" the question. It isn't answered now and it won't ever be answered in time to satisfy these continuous critics.

Forcing scientists in front of a trained lawyer will not reveal anything more that having other scientists read and criticize their work. This happens every day already. That applies to both "sides" of this "debate". Frankly some better informed journalists and feature writers might help - people who can present a balanced picture without creating the impression of "balance".