Right Wingers Deluge MIT Climate Scientist with Hate Mail, Threats

Maybe they can threaten glaciers out of melting
Environment • Views: 25,385

MIT climate scientist Kerry Emanuel was featured in a video interview posted recently at grist.org, and this triggered a deluge of frenzied hate mail and threats against his family from right wing climate change deniers.

This is where the ignorance espoused by the Republican Party leads: hateful morons threatening the wives and children of scientists.

Prominent MIT researcher Kerry Emanuel has been receiving an unprecedented “frenzy of hate” after a video featuring an interview with him was published recently by Climate Desk.

Emails contained “veiled threats against my wife,” and other “tangible threats,” Emanuel, a highly-regarded atmospheric scientist and director of MIT’s Atmospheres, Oceans, and Climate program, said in an interview. “They were vile, these emails. They were the kind of emails nobody would like to receive.”

“What was a little bit new about it was dragging family members into it and feeling that my family might be under threat, so naturally I didn’t feel very good about that at all,” Emanuel said. “I thought it was low to drag somebody’s spouse into arguments like this.”

Climate Desk has seen a sample of the emails and can confirm they are laced with menacing language and expletives, and contain personal threats of violence.

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58 comments
1 aagcobb  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 10:43:28am

What does that commie atheist expect for conspiring to impose sharia law on Amurica!!!11!

2 wrenchwench  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 10:51:27am

If those people making threats were a little smarter, they'd see that the act of making threats makes it look like they don't have any facts on their side. If they had some facts, they wouldn't need threats.

I watched the video that "triggered" the threats. I'm guessing that when they saw Republicans speaking out (in fact one said "coming out of the closet") about climate change as a real and serious problem, it felt like a threat to their world view. They should grow up and read a book or something.

3 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 10:51:31am

That's a lot of hate, carefully fostered by the right-wing media.

4 William of Orange  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 10:53:44am

Yeah, yeah. And rightwingers keep denying that there are homegrown terrorists in America....

Shame, shame.

5 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 10:58:27am

We are in an age of amazing propaganda. It's really creepy.

6 Ming  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:05:23am

Threats against family members? And we're talking about a climate scientist at MIT??? We desperately need prominent Republicans to speak out against such behavior, which (as I've said before) reminds me of European-style facism, circa the 1930's.

I would love to see a prominent politician (and more than one, ideally) say publicly that he or she is to the right of Obama on this issue, and that issue, and a whole bunch of issues, AND that he or she categorically condemns the stirring up of hatred, and by the way he or she accepts mainstream climate science. It's wonderful that Jon Huntsman has already done basically that; we need a lot more Republican politicians to follow in his footsteps.

I'm sure we're all used to it by now, but when I see a blog post like this one, I'm always astonished. I keep saying to myself, "I can't believe this is happening."

The "right-wing" doesn't say a lot about people like Osama bin Laden, or Ahmadinejad. At least from what I encounter in the news, the enemies of the right-wing, the people they condemn as evil, are ordinary Americans. Like the wife of some guy who does research at MIT.

7 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:06:28am

Why would any kid in the US want to grow up to be a scientist, when all they get is shat on all day long by the GOP and giggling feebs like Limbaugh.

Does anyone think the US can really remain a pre-eminent power-- leaving aside the threat of AGW and all the other dooms facing us-- without scientists?

8 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:11:48am

re: #7 Obdicut

Why would any kid in the US want to grow up to be a scientist, when all they get is shat on all day long by the GOP and giggling feebs like Limbaugh.

Does anyone think the US can really remain a pre-eminent power-- leaving aside the threat of AGW and all the other dooms facing us-- without scientists?

I really don't think many smart high schoolers will base their career choices on what Limbaugh or the GOP says. Far more likely they'll be looking past the PhD to employ-ability.

9 Big Joe  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:13:32am

re: #8 EmmmieG

I really don't think many smart high schoolers will base their career choices on what Limbaugh or the GOP says. Far more likely they'll be looking past the PhD to employ-ability.

If conservatives had their way scientists would be unemployable.

10 Atlas Fails  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:14:07am

re: #6 Ming

Threats against family members? And we're talking about a climate scientist at MIT??? We desperately need prominent Republicans to speak out against such behavior, which (as I've said before) reminds me of European-style facism, circa the 1930's.

They're too busy defending Catholic Charities' right to discriminate with taxpayer money and battling creeping Shariah to waste time on something so trivial.

11 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:14:13am

re: #8 EmmmieG

I really don't think many smart high schoolers will base their career choices on what Limbaugh or the GOP says. Far more likely they'll be looking past the PhD to employ-ability.

Social stuff matters a ton in terms of what kids choose to do. The war on science we've got going on is freaking killing us, not just in terms of people becoming scientists but any of the jobs related to science-- like engineering.

12 dragonfire1981  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:14:28am

Some countries embrace their scientists...we threaten ours with death.

Something's not right here...

13 AK-47%  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:14:36am

This is not any sort of "heated discussion" or "teach the controversy" moment. It has degenerated into "Drown out the discussion with threats".

14 allegro  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:15:31am

re: #13 ralphieboy

This is not any sort of "discussion" or "teach the controversy" moment. It has degenerated into "Drown out the discussion with threats".

That's what today's right does best... bully. They got nuthin' else.

15 AK-47%  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:16:37am

re: #14 allegro

That's what today's right does best... bully. They got nuthin' else.

and, in keeping with typical bully behavior, when they are called out, they at first deny it, and if they are finally cornered, they start whining and sniveling and acting like victims themselves...

16 Atlas Fails  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:17:47am

re: #13 ralphieboy

This is not any sort of "discussion" or "teach the controversy" moment. It has degenerated into "Drown out the discussion with threats".

Ah, "Teach the Controversy."

1. Loudly disagree with established scientific fact.

2. Insist that it's not fair that children are being indoctrinated with only one point of view.

3. ???

4. Profit.

17 wrenchwench  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:18:11am

re: #8 EmmmieG

I really don't think many smart high schoolers will base their career choices on what Limbaugh or the GOP says. Far more likely they'll be looking past the PhD to employ-ability.

The GOP is working on that front too, defunding as many projects as they can, including the National Science Foundation, which gives many young scientists their first grant.

18 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:19:18am

re: #16 Atlas Fails

1. Loudly disagree with established scientific fact.

2. Insist that it's not fair that children are being indoctrinated with only one point of view.

3. Get campaign donations from the people who you're lying to and whose lives you're helping to ruin. Get more donations by the corporations who profit from scientific ignorance.

4. Profit.

Filled that in for you.

19 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:26:26am

And I just revisited the Calvin & Hobbs little raccoon strip. Kinda depressing morning so far.

20 aagcobb  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:29:32am

Look, even if global warming was real, Jesus is coming soon, so those godless scientists better start worrying about the climate in Hell!/

21 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:29:44am

re: #19 Stanley Sea

The up side to all the darker Calvin strips is those are the ones where his parents are at their kindest and best.

This is still my favorite:

Image: funny-Calvin-and-Hobbes-comic-nails-table.jpg

22 wrenchwench  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:40:06am

re: #19 Stanley Sea

And I just revisited the Calvin & Hobbs little raccoon strip. Kinda depressing morning so far.

I guess I don't want to know about the raccoon strip.

It are my birthday.

23 Killgore Trout  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:40:11am

An interesting read for those interested in such things...
False Flag

A series of CIA memos describes how Israeli Mossad agents posed as American spies to recruit members of the terrorist organization Jundallah to fight their covert war against Iran.

I think some of the Israeli agents who killed the Hamas guy in the hotel in Dubai (I think) had American passports too. Interesting stuff

24 Targetpractice  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:42:15am

I will never, for the life of me, understand how a person can become so filled with hate that their first instinct when presented with information that goes against their world view is to engage in harassment and death threats.

25 AK-47%  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:43:45am

re: #24 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

I will never, for the life of me, understand how a person can become so filled with hate that their first instinct when presented with information that goes against their world view is to engage in harassment and death threats.

There are people who do and they know exactly what to say to get them to react that way

26 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:45:38am

re: #25 ralphieboy

There are people who do and they know exactly what to say to get them to react that way

Yeah. The rabble-rousers aren't the ones sending the threats, but they sure as hell know that they're going to come.

And we still have doctors goddamn murdered in this country for daring to provide women with abortions.

27 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:45:51am

re: #22 wrenchwench

I guess I don't want to know about the raccoon strip.

It are my birthday.

Last strip @ the bottom of the page.
[Link: www.progressiveboink.com...]

28 Targetpractice  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:49:50am

re: #26 Obdicut

Yeah. The rabble-rousers aren't the ones sending the threats, but they sure as hell know that they're going to come.

And we still have doctors goddamn murdered in this country for daring to provide women with abortions.

They make careers off stoking the hatred and distrust, make fortunes off selling merchandise aimed at such an audience, then when one of those ticking time bombs go off, we're treated to a chorus of "They were mentally ill, you can't blame us!"

29 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:53:18am

re: #7 Obdicut

Why would any kid in the US want to grow up to be a scientist, when all they get is shat on all day long by the GOP and giggling feebs like Limbaugh.

Does anyone think the US can really remain a pre-eminent power-- leaving aside the threat of AGW and all the other dooms facing us-- without scientists?

Yes, they do.

They believe God has abandoned them for not being faithful enough. Science is a major enemy of faith, in their minds.

Sp when the scientists are gone God will return His Blessing to America and America will rule the world as the Almighty's most beloved nation.

The similarities between them and Islamist groups such as the Taliban are not a coincidence.

30 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:54:44am

re: #29 Romantic Heretic

It makes no fucking sense. What nation on earth has ever been great through religious fervor alone? Or even primarily?

31 wrenchwench  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:57:00am

re: #27 Stanley Sea

Last strip @ the bottom of the page.
[Link: www.progressiveboink.com...]

Awww. What a stupid world.

{{Stanley}}

Go read some @MexicanMitt. That might cheer you up.

32 Targetpractice  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:57:52am

OT:

Breaking: Social Conservatives Officially Unite On Rick Santorum As Romney Alternative

Moments ago, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins announced on a conference call that social conservatives had officially settled on Rick Santorum as their preferred candidate for the Republican nomination. The decision was made today after three rounds of balloting at a meeting of more than 150 social conservative leaders and political activists held over the last two days in Brenham, Texas. Though the meeting was widely seen as an effort to settle on a candidate to stop Mitt Romney, Romney’s own campaign sent a representative to make an appeal to the group and Perkins said it was “not a bash Romney weekend” and “not a lot of time” was spent discussing him. Jon Huntsman’s campaign was the only campaign not to participate in the meeting.

33 wrenchwench  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:58:59am

re: #32 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

OT:

Breaking: Social Conservatives Officially Unite On Rick Santorum As Romney Alternative

I don't think that's OT...

34 Targetpractice  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 11:59:56am

re: #33 wrenchwench

I don't think that's OT...

It's hard to tell anymore.

35 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:02:28pm

re: #30 Obdicut

It makes no fucking sense. What nation on earth has ever been great through religious fervor alone? Or even primarily?

You know that and I know that. But they don't know that. History is as forbidden to them as science. Mostly because as my favourite non-fiction author puts it, "History is about unlimited movement, not a limited dialectic."

Since their worldview is completely dialectical, as I understand the word, history is thus verboten. They have a mythology instead.

36 Ming  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:03:07pm

re: #17 wrenchwench

Ironic that while someone is discouraging Iran's nuclear scientists from excelling in their work, the GOP is discouraging (in a different way) America's current and future scientists.

A race to the bottom.

37 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:03:25pm

re: #32 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Sighs of relief and howls of laughter emerge from the White House in response.

38 Targetpractice  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:05:01pm

re: #35 Romantic Heretic

You know that and I know that. But they don't know that. History is as forbidden to them as science. Mostly because as my favourite non-fiction author puts it, "History is about unlimited movement, not a limited dialectic."

Since there worldview is completely dialectical, as I understand the word, history is thus verboten. They have a mythology instead.

Watching them in action and listening to their idea of what the US should resemble brings to mind some weird hybrid of Orwell's 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale.

39 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:05:11pm

re: #35 Romantic Heretic

Except it's a pack of lies, too. The same people, mostly, avail themselves of science constantly. They get into cars, they take medication, they fly, they look at weather reports. There's no one in this nation that doesn't depend on science every damn day.

40 jaunte  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:05:50pm

re: #32 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Maybe they'll split off into a real third party.

41 AK-47%  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:10:54pm

re: #30 Obdicut

It makes no fucking sense. What nation on earth has ever been great through religious fervor alone? Or even primarily?

This is the idea behind American Exceptionalism: that our favored standing from the Lord is the result of us reflecting (their interpretation of) his Divine Will in our laws and Constitution.

Anything that goes against (their interpretation of) God's Will weakens our standing and will lead to our downfall and therefore must be supressed with extreme prejudice if needed...

42 Targetpractice  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:11:24pm

re: #40 jaunte

Maybe they'll split off into a real third party.

I'm curious to see how Crazy Uncle Ron will take this. He's been hoping and praying (no pun intended) that the socons would line up behind him, as he sees himself as the only "true" alternative to Romney.

But I don't think it really matters, as Romney's right now on course to take SC and still holds a healthy lead in Florida. He takes those two, we might as well begin the coronation.

43 AK-47%  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:13:15pm

re: #42 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

But I don't think it really matters, as Romney's right now on course to take SC and still holds a healthy lead in Florida. He takes those two, we might as well begin the coronation.

If the GOP base feels that Romney has been foisted on them against their will, they could well find ways to rebel, ranging from non-participation to actively running a "true conservative" third-party candidate.

44 Obdicut  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:14:24pm

re: #41 ralphieboy

It really is some severe historical ignorance, then, to think the US has ever been what they think it should be.

45 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:15:20pm

re: #42 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

I'm curious to see how Crazy Uncle Ron will take this. He's been hoping and praying (no pun intended) that the socons would line up behind him, as he sees himself as the only "true" alternative to Romney.

But I don't think it really matters, as Romney's right now on course to take SC and still holds a healthy lead in Florida. He takes those two, we might as well begin the coronation.

I love how Bain may be the bane of his existence.

46 Targetpractice  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:15:31pm

re: #41 ralphieboy

This is the idea behind American Exceptionalism: that our favored standing from the Lord is the result of us reflecting (their interpretation of) his Divine Will in our laws and Constitution.

Anything that goes against (their interpretation of) God's Will weakens our standing and will lead to our downfall and therefore must be supressed with extreme prejudice if needed...

Indeed, it's our straying from "His Will," engaging in "immorality" (gay lifestyles, abortion, single parenthood, etc), that is supposed to be the reason for so much of our country's troubles. That we've gone against God and now we're being "punished" by having his favor taken from us. Worse, we're not only proclaiming to be a secular nation, but we're also promoting the idea that all religions are equal, which is just unforgivable. And so, we must "get back on the path," through force of law if necessary, if we are to return to the glory we once had.

Or, for those who want the Cliff Notes, it's Taliban: American Edition.

47 dragonfire1981  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:21:55pm

re: #32 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

OT:

Breaking: Social Conservatives Officially Unite On Rick Santorum As Romney Alternative

I'm Barack Obama and I approve this decision.

48 Targetpractice  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:26:58pm

re: #43 ralphieboy

If the GOP base feels that Romney has been foisted on them against their will, they could well find ways to rebel, ranging from non-participation to actively running a "true conservative" third-party candidate.

I'm still of the opinion that Paul will go third-party. I've been told that he won't, because it would mean the GOP leadership would come down on Rand's head, but I don't think Ron really cares. His quest has become a crusade, which he will see to the very end, either as a third-party candidate or as a GOP convention spoiler.

49 Varek Raith  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:27:11pm
50 Varek Raith  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:37:05pm
51 jaunte  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:38:52pm

Could it be Romney/Santorum 2012?

52 jaunte  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:40:07pm

Gary L. Bauer, a conservative movement leader who helped convene the meeting here, endorsed Mr. Santorum’s candidacy last weekend and has been working behind the scenes to secure the support of other influential social conservatives. He has said that the support for Mr. Santorum should not be interpreted as an effort to stop Mr. Romney’s candidacy.

53 Idle Drifter  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:41:27pm

Hate mail and threats are the refuge of cowards and terrorists.

54 Jimmi the Grey  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:42:32pm

re: #48 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

I'm still of the opinion that Paul will go third-party. I've been told that he won't, because it would mean the GOP leadership would come down on Rand's head, but I don't think Ron really cares. His quest has become a crusade, which he will see to the very end, either as a third-party candidate or as a GOP convention spoiler.

I'm also of the opinion that were the GOP to try to punish Rand for the 'sins of his father' that it would play well to the victimization that feeds his base anyway, seriously backfiring for the GOP Establishment.

But what do I know...

55 Varek Raith  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:46:03pm
“The people who participate ought to be the ones who pay attention…I’m just saying we shouldn’t have these ‘Get Out The Vote’ campaigns and make these statements: ‘Everyone has to vote. It’s your patriotic duty!’ Well if you’re not paying attention, I think it’s your patriotic duty not to vote.”

- John Stossel.

Ok....
Um...
Yeah, too easy.
;)

56 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 12:56:35pm

re: #41 ralphieboy

This is the idea behind American Exceptionalism: that our favored standing from the Lord is the result of us reflecting (their interpretation of) his Divine Will in our laws and Constitution.

Anything that goes against (their interpretation of) God's Will weakens our standing and will lead to our downfall and therefore must be supressed with extreme prejudice if needed...

And napalm. Because Robert Frost was right. Fire is better.

57 po8crg  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 1:58:54pm

re: #11 Obdicut

Social stuff matters a ton in terms of what kids choose to do. The war on science we've got going on is freaking killing us, not just in terms of people becoming scientists but any of the jobs related to science-- like engineering.

First, it's definitely true that doing something that generates lots of threats will put people off. The threats that the animal rights mob generate at anyone doing animal experiments has made it harder and harder to recruit people - you need really brave people who are also talented.

But it's the second that's the killer. There is a pretty strong case that a large part of what motivates people to go into particular careers is the social status they obtain, as well as money and the intrinsic interest and value of the job. If the right wing can destroy the social status from being a scientist - and it's already way down on the fifties - then young people won't want to become scientists.

After all, who wants to do a job that you never want to mention at a party, when you can do a job that gets people's eyes lighting up? Who wants to have to lie about what they do for a living in order to have a social life?

58 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Jan 14, 2012 2:47:59pm

re: #39 Obdicut

Except it's a pack of lies, too. The same people, mostly, avail themselves of science constantly. They get into cars, they take medication, they fly, they look at weather reports. There's no one in this nation that doesn't depend on science every damn day.

I regard that as technology rather than science, and so do these people. It's part of our lives and not a threat. Technology isn't regarded as a form of change, or a threat, to most people. In fact it increases their power.

Science is a form of change, or perspective rather, and so it is a threat to these people. Change means that their power will be lost. It will, in their minds, show that they along with America or God or whatever they have attached their identities to are not nearly as important to the scheme of things as they believed.

It is another facet of the cognitive dissonance they suffer from.


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