Some introductory thoughts

This blog will be a remaking of my What'sUpWithThatWatts Blogspot intended to reach a wider audience.  

I'll be first to admit that many climate science communicators I respect don’t think much of my WUWTW or my gritty button-holing style.  I’m not sure what to make of that except that we can see how disastrously their strategy of sidestepping fundamental issues, appeasement and intellectual seepage has worked (or not) for conveying simple physical reality to our fellow citizens and leaders these past decades.

My speciality has been confronting climate science “skeptics” with fact based constructive debates and it usually follows the same trajectory.  I call out false claims, statements and question their reasoning with explanations, arguments and an assortment of relevant links to further authoritative information so people can learn about these issues for themselves.

If they return it’s with a round of bluster and distractions that morph into ad hominem attacks on people, either me, reporters or scientists.  Never any indication that new information was read and assessed, let alone absorbed.  I respond with more facts and reasoned arguments, they respond with final insults and slammed doors not to be heard from again.  Leaving me with Virtual Debates where I strive to document the dishonesty that too many others seem to pardon.

These are the same talking heads who are astro-turfing media outlets demanding public debate, but who steadfastly run from our debates. 
Tragically for our country and future these self interested folks only seek theatrical lawyerly debates dedicated to confusing and obscuring.

When it comes to Serious Constructive Debates - that is, dialogues that respect the confines of truth and honestly representing others and the evidence - these showmen are nowhere to be found.

 I’m talking about intellectual cowards such as

 Anthony Watts;  Dr. Dick Lindzen;  Dr. Roy Spencer;  Pascal Bruckner;  “Lord”Christopher Monckton; Stephen McIntyre;  Jim Steele and his Landscapes and Cycles fraud;  Heartland’s James Taylor;  Marc Morano;  Dan Pangburn;  Martin Hertzberg;  David Rose;  Cornwall Alliance’s Beisner;  Nasif Nahle;  Pete Ridley;  John O’Sullivan;  Piers Corbyn;  Willie Soon;  H. Sterling Burnett;  1000frolly;  Poptech;  Scottish Sceptic;  Judith Curry;  Donna Laframboise;  Henrik Svensmark;  Dave(NC20) Burton;  Investors Business Daily.

Earlier writings are poorly formatted, sprinkled with typos and other flaws, though it seems to me I’ve been improving, that’s for others to decide.  It would be nice to find a community that gets what I’m trying do here.  A little feedback, a little cross fertilization, a little encouragement from and to like-minded.  I have the feeling I'm not the only one that could use a dose of that sort of humanity. 

People who are themselves engaged in their own feeble efforts to make a positive difference.  Folks who’d like to communicate where they could discuss and argue and learn from like minded individuals who respect facts and honest arguments and learning.  I’m no organizer, I have no grand plans, I’m too busy treading to keep my head above water and simply want to document these thoughts before my time's up.  I do believe some of this is worth sharing.  I hope readers will find it of some interest and encouragement.

I’ve been thinking about starting this blog for over a year, but have spent little time doing it, now I’m done waiting, it’s going up though it’s very incomplete.  Consider it under active construction, so please excuse the mess, I will get it straightened out soon as time and life allows.

Email: citizenschallenge at gmail