Reply To: Questions regarding DPF.

[Phil’s Dad]

I agree VC (long time no post – welcome back by the way). I also sincerely like having a discussion with an intelligent, knowledgeable climatologist. Unfortunately, there are a few who degrade into vast conspiracy notions of fossil energy lobbyists and/or sophistic cherry-picking being presented in rebuttal of the available non-AGW scientific research. A few wonderful times I have found people who are actually willing to discuss this issue. Even rarer is when they are willing to put aside their preconceived notions when their questions are answered, rather than asking the same questions repeatedly in defence of their beliefs. But we all do it I suppose.

I have been accused of being sweet (by a figure I respect) for thinking there might be a scientific answer to all this. I still do. I even had an e-mail from a Cabinet Member today saying I put an innocent and naive spin on the issue. I think I can accept being defined as a sweet, innocent politician. What ever the case I am here to learn, not preach, and even those with whom I disagree strongly have something they can teach me. I lose that advantage if I try to put up barriers. There is no stronger barrier to learning than certainty. (Probably.)