Va. attorney general targets Penn State prof's research (Global Warming)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

RICHMOND, Va. -- Academic freedom is not a legal barrier to a state investigation of a former University of Virginia professor's climate change research, Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli argued in court papers Tuesday.

Mr. Cuccinelli, a global warming skeptic, is investigating whether Michael Mann defrauded taxpayers by using manipulated data to obtain state grants backing his research. Mr. Mann is now at Penn State University.

The University of Virginia is fighting Mr. Cuccinelli's attempt to obtain records related to Mr. Mann's research, citing the university's academic freedom and its researchers' free-speech rights.

In a 40-page brief filed in Albemarle County Circuit Court, Mr. Cuccinelli says academic freedom is rooted in the First Amendment, which cannot be used to shield fraud. And even if the First Amendment did apply in this case, he argued, the university cannot raise the constitutional rights of others in challenging a "civil investigative demand."




Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10195/1072660-113.stm

[bongbong]

1. Free speech only for corporations and billionaires

Don't they know the "New Rules"?

[Doctor_J]

2. Next they came for the scientists

No one with any power will protest this.

[Leontius]

9. UVA is fighting against this

[Doctor_J]

11. Problem is, with all the tax cuts, U's are relying on rich donors

(most very right-wing), who are then able to dictate what the faculty studies/publishes.

[joeybee12]

3. What a POS...

...series-ly...what an embarassment.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

4. How long are they going to continue to chase this non-story?

They've already exonerated Mann and stated that he didn't manipulate the data.

Somebody please tell Joe Barton (R) and the other idiots that they should shut up and spend some time trying to pass legislation to reduce our carbon footprints.

All this foolishness over climate change in 2010.... amazing!

[rfranklin]

8. Can we reciprocate by charging Creationists with criminal behavior?

There is obviously a conspiracy amongst creationist to put forth a fraudulent "scientific" theory of the origins of the universe and life on earth.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

10. That works for me.

I saw a show last week (PBS?) that showed how even the Evangelicals are now increasingly on board about climate change.

This is one link: http://christiansandclimate.org/

Denial runs deep in some people. I don't know if it's for political reasons, financial incentives or just that they don't have a clue.

[cheapdate]

5. What a moron. n/t

[BonnieJW]

6. Ken the Cuch

would have been fabulous in the SS, doncha think? Sigh, born too late....

[jimlup]

7. And Mann will of course be allowed to counter sue for damages...

Since he was exonerated by his University along with several other official organizations I wouldn't think it would take Mann long to turn the tables on this fool.