While Huffington Post editors would likely want to see the Ambler incident (a HuffPost post by a global warming denier with a truthiness screed) simply disappear off the radar scope, the global warming sound machine doesn't seem interested in cooperating in that aim.
One of the key disinformation megaphones, Senator James Inhofe (R-Exxon), blared out on this Thursday. And, in a path that seems to rate quite highly (perhaps that 98.5) on The Inhofe Scale. Today, as part of yet another screed of truthiness and deceit on Global Warming, Inhofe pointed to Ambler's deceptive HuffPost Post as, somehow, proof that the "left" is now being increasing populated by global warming deniers and skeptics.
The Inhofe Scale ... a reminder
Energy blogger Lou Grinzo conceived The Inhofe Scale.
The Inhofe Scale will be used to measure statements (but most definitely not the speakers who make them) that exhibit a noticeable and willing detachment from reality. The scale is calibrated so that 100 equals the detachment seen in Senator Inhofe calling global warming "the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the Ameican people", stating that polar bears "are overpopulated. Don't worry about it: the polar bears are fine." and having staff pass out material with the heading: "Mars has global warming despite absence of SUVs"., and Mars quotations. Extra consideration is given to positions espoused with an excessively cavalier attitude or downright meanness, and those from people or organizations that have a obligation to get it right.
Just to be clear, this is a measurement of detachment from widely accepted reality ... And by "willful detachment from reality" I mean far more than simple ignorance.
The Ambler Incident ... a very brief recap
As discussed in HuffPost scores a 10 on the Inhofe Scale, a week ago HufffPost published a post by Harold Ambler, his first post there, entitled "Mr Gore: Apology Accepted". Ambler's screed is filled with traditional global warming denier points, wrap in truthiness confusing pseudo citations of science, and 'true facts' cited in ways that obscured truth of a more complete discussion of the facts. This screed, by itself, wasn't anything really of note. Beyond being poorly written, in many ways, and confusing in others, it really wasn't that powerful a piece in terms of 'convincing' material that really could raise serious doubts about the issues of global warming / climate change. For any with a little knowledge of the issues, Ambler really didn't present a serious issue. For pieces shredding Ambler's case, see:
A question for any and all "edited" publications: is there any responsibility to demand truthful information even within opinion pieces? Association with reality, it seems to me, should be a general requirement with any publication that seeks to claim a role in the reality-based world.
The issue at hand, however, is the publication of such a dangerously misleading piece at such a platform. HuffPost claims a banner position of leadership (whether merited or not) as a "left-wing" publication site on the web and this was the first (that I am aware of) denier-tantrum published there. Not surprisingly, Ambler's rambling discourse quickly became a cause celebre among the denier community online. And, echoing continues ...
Another Inhofian notch on the Inhofe Scale
So, how did James Inhofe describe and use the Ambler incident
Huffington Post Features Article Demanding Apology From Gore
However, with global warming science this has not been the case, with many left-of-center scientists and environmental activists now realizing that the so-called "consensus" on man-made global warming is not holding up. The left-wing blog Huffington Post surprised many by featuring an article on January 3, 2008 by Harold Ambler, demanding an apology from Gore for promoting unfounded global warming fears. The Huffington Post article accused Gore of telling "the biggest whopper ever sold to the public in the history of humankind" because he claimed the science was settled on global warming. The Huffington Post article titled "Mr. Gore: Apology Accepted" adds, "It is Mr. Gore and his brethren who are flat-Earthers," not skeptics.
Again, it is not Jim Inhofe saying this about Gore, it is the left-wing blog Huffington Post saying these things.
According to Jim Inhofe, one post by an author that has had all of one post (out of, literally, 1000s of post) speaks for an entire publication.
Yes, according to Jim Inhofe, Harold Ambler speaks for the Huffington Post on the issues of Global Warming.
Well, what does Arianna Huffington think of this?
Although HuffPost welcomes a vigorous debate on many subjects, I am a firm believer that there are not two sides to every issue, and that on some issues the jury is no longer out. The climate crisis is one of these issues.
And, as to the specifics of the Huffington Post publishing Ambler's misguided, misleading, and error-filled opinion piece, what does Arianna think of an "associate blog editor"'s choice to publish it?
It was an error in judgment.
No, Jim, as an individual poster, Harold Ambler does not speak for the Huffington Post. To say otherwise is deceptive and misleading, even if just mistaken.
No, Jim, according to the owner and namesake of the site, Harold Ambler's views do not represent the site's views. To say otherwise is simply deceitful.
Sigh ... deception, misleading statements, and deceit are nothing new from you on issues of Global Warming.