I get some hate email from time to time. Actually, not very much. I guess I’m still cruising under the radar.

In response to my post yesterday criticizing Paul Beckwith’s post about the allegedly unprecedented crossing of the equator by jet stream winds (a post which, after much criticism, he has since modified), I received a heartfelt email (reproduced below) asking me to, ummm, back off on my criticism.

This email I received yesterday is rather disturbing because I fear it reveals the low caliber of scientific knowledge that exists out there. Too many people are too easily fooled by pseudo-scientific ramblings which can go viral and cross the globe in a matter of hours. This cuts both ways in the global warming debate, as frequent readers of my blog know I have banned people on my side of the argument for pushing too hard on what I consider to be bad science (e.g. the claim that there is no such thing as the “greenhouse effect”).

Even Jason Samenow from the Capital Weather Gang posted agreement with me that there is nothing unusual about winds at the jet stream level moving back and forth across the equator. Jason also quotes other PhD-level atmospheric scientists in that article.

So, I’m just going to leave this here…I was tempted to answer many of the points made below, but I think it will be more enjoyable for regulars here to take a shot at it.

What A way to treat a fellow scientist. Who the f**k cares if its man made or not! Paul is getting the word out there to people…what are you doing? I don’t see you doing anything except having a web site that no one even knows about…I’ve never heard of you. Paul Beckwith puts a lot of hard work and time into trying to raise the issue…You however are a disgrace to global scientists! Or do you not agree this is an emergency? This one video finally caught some attention and you have to f**k it up…Idiot! We NEED for this to be news so maybe, just maybe something will be done! This video has gone viral…let it be! You have made up lies about him and tried to discredit him…why would you do that??? Many people have moved to the southern hemisphere to get away from the radiation…because this was NOT supposed to happen. You need to take down what you said from your web site! What is happening is dangerous and people need to know…too many people already do not believe GW is real…they need to prepare! They need to know! Jesus Dude…What’s wrong with you? And let’s not throw stones about Donations…You have your own Donation button!!!! Fix it Please…

And….discuss!