Hi Jennifer,
I have recently taken over Carl Smith’s blog at http://landscheidt.auditblogs.com/
The site was originally set up to discuss Dr. Landscheidt’s work and is a good source of his documents. I am currently expanding the format to include any scientific work related to planetary influence on the Sun.
Ian Wilson has just contacted me and gave permission to air his recent paper on the topic and I thought it and other articles may have been of interest to you and your readers.
Geoff Sharp.
INVESTIGATIVE journalist Ross Coulthart and guru producer Nick Farrow have won the Gold Walkley for this year for exposing a doctor’s alleged malpractice in the New South Wales town of Bega.
The award is the most prestigious in Australian journalism.
They undertook the investigation while working for the Sunday Program, a program recently axed by Channel 9.
You may remember, back in June, Nick Farrow working with Adam Shand, made the only feature so far on Australian TV questioning whether we really have a climate crisis. This cover story for Sunday was entitled ‘Questioning Science’ and screened on June 29, 2008.
In 2006 Ross Coulthart with Nick Farrow critically examined many of the popular claims about the Murray River and found them wanting. That cover story which confirmed many of my findings was screened on May 26, 2006 and entitled ‘Australia’s Salinity Crisis: What Crisis’.
Margaret Simons writing in yesterday’s Crikey.com.au commented:
“There is something profoundly sad and disturbing about an industry forced to give its highest awards to things that no longer exist, or are in decline. That’s what happened last Thursday night at the annual Walkley Awards …
The highest award for the evening, the Gold Walkley, went to Channel Nine’s Sunday program, for a piece by Ross Coulthart and Nick Farrow about the “Butcher of Bega” — a doctor accused of abusing and mutilating the women in his care. The same piece won both the award for Television Current Affairs Reporting, and the award for Investigative Reporting. Yet the program — a frequent winner of Walkley Awards — no longer exists.”
There is some good news though. Ross Coulthart and Nick Farrow are now at Channel Seven and working on a new public affairs program ‘Sunday Night’ to be unveiled late in January 2009.
Congratulations to both Ross and Nick on the award, and also the new jobs.
You might like to add this http://www.tasmaniathemovie.com/trailers/ to your blog
It is obviously a counter to the Richard Flanagan partly scripted new movie ‘Australia’, and does show that the last tree has yet to be chopped down in Tassie.
Cheers, Cinders
Michael Crichton died earlier this month aged justed 66 years. Like me, Art Raiche is a fan of the author and climate sceptic and sent me this note:
“As most of you know, Robyn Williams who runs the science show on the ABC [in Australia] is a committed warmer. So, I was surprising to hear him do a show on Michael Crichton, albeit a funny and insightful talk on science and the media. He did admit that Crichton was a sceptic, quite a revelation for those of you who know Williams. The url below will give you access to a funny and thought-provoking talk.
I had not previously heard Crichton speak. The humorous and sceptical intelligence of the man is just terrific.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/default.htm
These are parts 1-3 of Crichton on global warming,
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=noec6Xkx73k&feature=related
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=VJJsDtSHjdE&feature=related
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=MagSO9L2Ns0&feature=related
I have saved the best for last: States of Fear – complexity. These are vintage Crichton, really worth the investment of an afternoon
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=9qtgQXtrl4Q&feature=related
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=uKIGQSkkm1w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_nLgrGL_Pg&NR=1
http://tinyurl.com/58amjr
http://tinyurl.com/5ajq8n
Finally, here is a site with points to a cornucopia of heresy
http://tinyurl.com/6d9shz ”
Art Raiche, Sydney, Australia
On Saturday I climbed to the very top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Hi Jen,
All things considered, I thought the debate went very well. The show of hands at the end indicated 50-50. I have had complimentary calls today. The following is a summary that Des Moore has sent around.
Climate Debate – Hawthorn Town Hall – 19 Nov
I attended last night a debate between Professor David Karoly, who is an adviser to Professor Garnaut and Victorian Premier John Brumby, and William Kininmonth at the Hawthorn Town Hall on “We should be concerned with human-caused climate change”.
I estimate that about 220 people attended and there was an “active” question time after the speakers completed their presentations. A show-of-hands vote taken at the conclusion suggested a slight majority in favour of WK.
I will not atttempt here to analyse the issues raised by either side other than to mention the heavy reliance on modelling by DK to “prove” his points. However, it is worth noting the marked contrast in style of presentation, with DK adopting an aggressive approach (that provoked an initial adverse reaction from the audience) and WK adopting a calm relaxed one.
There is little doubt that DK’s approach lost him “votes” and, more importantly, left an impression that his expertise was not necessarily something on which much reliance should be placed. Indeed, it served to (again) confirm doubts about the basis of the science used by the IPCC, for which DK was a lead author…
My guess is that DK was a bit taken aback by the audience response, including a number of sensible questions…
Des Moore
The local Community TV Channel 31 filmed the event to show later and they said they would send a copy to me.
Regards,
Bill
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
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