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« Guardian: is totalitarianism the way forward? | Main | The bureaucracy's media defenders »
Saturday
Jan042014

Public losses

The Mawson vacationers' exploits continue to amuse and appall in equal measure. After the happy campers were helicoptered to safety, the Chinese rescue ship itself became entrapped in the ice. There seems to be a suggestion this morning that they expect to free themselves imminently though.

The media have been far from supportive of Professor Turney's adventuring, with even a dyed-in-the-wool green like Andy Revkin highly critical of the need to divert resources away from serious research in order to rescue a team of public funded holidaymakers.

But nobody is going to top this morning's blast from Christopher Caldwell in the FT:

A beset ship is like a skint bank, and we can draw certain parallels to the financial crisis of 2008. The voyage of the Akademik Shokalskiy mixed public and private purposes, and all such enterprises nowadays invite scepticism. Those who stood to reap the benefits of the voyage were able, when things went sour, to pass on many of the costs.

And for those who haven't seen it yet, and who are not bothered by a wall of bad language, you can enjoy the Turney downfall video:

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Reader Comments (35)

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Jan 4, 2014 at 9:36 AM | Unregistered CommenterAnoneumouse

In the doghouse.

Polar chief slams Antarctic cruise

'This kind of commemorative expedition has no interest from a scientific point of view,' said Frenot.

Because of the rescue operations, French scientists had had to scrap a two-week oceanographic campaign this month using the Astrolabe, Frenot said.

'The Chinese have had to cancel all their scientific programme, and my counterpart in Australia is spitting tacks with anger, because their entire summer has been wiped out.'

Antarctica has about 80 scientific bases, of which around 40 are permanently staffed and others manned on a seasonal or temporary basis.

Only three bases are inland; the others are on the coast.

'If we want these bases to operate all year round, it is essential to resupply with food and fuel during the brief window of opportunity,' Frenot said.

Diverting supply ships to rescue tasks 'imperilled' this link, he said.

Jan 4, 2014 at 9:41 AM | Unregistered CommenterLord Beaverbrook

You can also sing along to Prof Turkey's Holiday

Jan 4, 2014 at 9:46 AM | Registered CommenterPhillip Bratby

As it can often be a fiddle to get through to the text of FT articles - here is the Caldwell article from today's FT. A real scorcher.

http://www.thegwpf.org/ft-antarctic-debacle-biggest-setback-campaigners-climategate/

There is naturally a lot of annoyance in Australia about the Ship of Fools.In particular - how can you get taxpayer/university funding of Aus$1.5 million for a sightseeing jolly with virtually nil scientific content and a bunch of freeloaders. The best description I have heard so far is that Chris Turkey is "just another POM bludger".

At least in OZ the fightback has started in earnest. What needs to be attacked is not just the cult of Warmism - the belief system and the false "science" used to support it, but also the large areas of the bureaucracy and academic life that are parasitic on the cult. The new Abbott government is already taking an axe to the bureaucracy side of it - what is also needed is far more rigorous scrutiny of research grant procedures.

The other target needs to be the compliant media. The FT article by Caldwell is the exception to the rule - for the most part the media continues to swallow the nostrums of the cult, and in this instance to hide the full facts of the matter. The BBC is the prime and by far the most most influential example. We can all have a laugh at the Ship of Fools fiasco - but the BBC will sail on regardless with its endless Warmist bias.

Jan 4, 2014 at 9:50 AM | Unregistered CommenterJohn Anderson

Yes Bish, you do have to get past the language in the Hitler Rant, but even Anglo-Saxon has its place for emphasis - IMHO.

I must admit I love the Hitler downfall/rant parody videos of which there are hundreds on YouTube You can even make your own here

http://downfall.jfedor.org/create/

There are several Global Warming related rants worth a view - with the same language warning.

Jan 4, 2014 at 10:05 AM | Registered Commenterretireddave

From the BBC report on Xue Long being now stuck in ice, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25598705

Andrew Peacock, an Australian doctor and photographer who was rescued from the Russian ship, spoke of his fellow passengers' frustration aboard the Aurora over the latest delay in their journey home, according to the Associated Press.

"So our time down south is not over yet and we are going to be delayed in our return to friends and family by some time yet, which is frustrating," Mr Peacock said before the Aurora was given permission to continue.

What is it about these people? Arrogance? Stupidity? Ingratitude?

Jan 4, 2014 at 10:44 AM | Unregistered CommenterDavid Chappell

What bad language?

I'm ex IT.

Oh, and of Saxon heritage, so if you tell me off for my language, you're a Racist. :)

Jan 4, 2014 at 10:54 AM | Unregistered CommenterRightwinggit

Chris Turney - "He should make a very good clown" - well he is doing a great job at it presently.

We should have a contest to see what is going to be the most hilarious excuse people will put forward for this debacle.

It was the Global Warming wot done it gov!

Global Warming made the ice too fast.

The Chinese coal fired power stations caused the extra ice.

Jan 4, 2014 at 11:16 AM | Unregistered CommenterCharmingQuark

The coming investigation will have to focus on how this escapade was passed off as a scientific activity, and how its $1.5m cost (excluding the rescue) was almost entirely government funded, mainly from Australia.

From what I can gather there were:

22 (warmist) climate scientists
6 (far left) journalists
1 Australian Greens politician
24 tourists/fellow-travellers/sympathisers
22 crew
74 total

How can this possibly qualify for a serious scientific activity??

Jan 4, 2014 at 11:31 AM | Unregistered CommenterDaveR

The global warming activists should take a leaf out of the book of excuses used by British railway companies;

It was the wrong sort of ice.

If they turn their attention to the other Pole, they could ask the Inuit if they have a word for it in their language. The English word that comes to mind starts with the letter B and ends in LOCKS.

Jan 4, 2014 at 11:48 AM | Unregistered CommenterRoy

DaveR on Jan 4, 2014 at 11:31 AM

"How can this possibly qualify for a serious scientific activity??"

Ask Professor Edward Acton. You will be able to contact him at the UEA, Norwich.

Jan 4, 2014 at 11:57 AM | Registered CommenterRobert Christopher

Are the BBC, MET an EA now using/abusing the word exceptional to describe weather?

Jan 4, 2014 at 12:04 PM | Unregistered CommenterStacey

Chris Turney was a graduate of UEA so no doubt knows Acton, Jones and Wigley well. :-)

Jan 4, 2014 at 12:15 PM | Unregistered CommenterG. Watkins

Most Hitler youtubes are boring, but this is a funny one.

Jan 4, 2014 at 12:30 PM | Unregistered CommenterHoi Polloi

Just came across this hilarious (not) cartoon.

Good timing chaps!

(warning: nose-peg needed for linked site)

Jan 4, 2014 at 1:09 PM | Registered CommenterSimonW

"There are several Global Warming related rants worth a view - with the same language warning."

For anyone interested, here's mine from a while back. Mandatory expletive warning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deedSFoguBw

Some of you may also enjoy my Gaddafi one (same warning):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPyoCHW2GlI

Jan 4, 2014 at 1:14 PM | Unregistered CommenterKatabasis

Deliciously funny vid.

Presumably that $1.5m came out of their bloated PR budgets. If the trip had gone as planned, they would have considered it money well spent. Acres of covereage on the BBC and similar propaganda outlets, and a luxury holiday for a few well-connected comrades.

As it is, they got a humiliating lesson in opportunity cost, an alien concept to most of them.

Jan 4, 2014 at 1:41 PM | Unregistered CommenterJake Haye

Littlejohn in the Mail has a long rant against the Warmists and the BBC, with a focus on Antarctic ice : Childish but with a thread of truth

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2533572/LITTLEJOHN-Clarkson-Parky-The-Kinks-thats-I-call-Today-programme.html#ixzz2pQytVAHo

Jan 4, 2014 at 1:50 PM | Unregistered CommenterJohn Anderson

Oh - that video is hilarious...

Many thanks, Bish...!

Yes - and along with David Chappell I am SOOOOO upset that the poor darlings have still got a long way to go until they get home to their 'friends and family'...

If there was any justice, they'd all be spending a lot 'more time with their families'...

Jan 4, 2014 at 2:27 PM | Unregistered CommenterSherlock1

On the AA - I hope they've got all the "rescued" trippers bedded down in a communal gender neutral dormitory (the helicopter hanger would seem to be unused?) .

Anybody know If any of them have been given cabins where an actual worker has been ejected to allow eco royalty some privacy?

Jan 4, 2014 at 2:40 PM | Unregistered Commentermoonrakin

SimonW,

Goreian timing indeed - a perfect illustration of true denialism... and an opportunity - where's Josh?

Jan 4, 2014 at 3:04 PM | Registered Commenterflaxdoctor

The original French reaction that is being quoted is worth a read. They want Chris Turkey basted...
http://www.contrepoints.org/2014/01/04/152161-akademik-shokalskiy-le-temps-des-interrogations

Jan 4, 2014 at 4:04 PM | Unregistered CommenterIvor Ward

Ironically, I only just found out that a series of replica "Mawson's Huts" was completed in Hobart just before Christmas.

So next years expedition will only have to go as far as Tasmania to be successful, which is probably within their abilities. (Touring cricket teams from England are advised to avoid the continent entirely until the climate changes).

Jan 4, 2014 at 4:09 PM | Unregistered Commentermichaelhart

@Dave, earlier:
"...24 tourists/fellow-travellers/sympathisers..." These include family?

Jan 4, 2014 at 4:45 PM | Unregistered CommenterJohn R T

Frankly Turney should either resign his post, or be sacked. His whole attitude, since the ship was ice bound, was frivolous in the extreme. The man is obviously a careless fool: he has wasted a very large slice of government funds, and has put lives at risk. He should go PDQ.

Jan 4, 2014 at 5:09 PM | Unregistered CommenterPeter Stroud

@Dave and John R T
Not only tourists but two children. An exceptional example of 'Take your child to work' day.

Jan 4, 2014 at 5:20 PM | Unregistered Commenterhebe

Turney is to be congratulated for allowing the science of climate change to be challenged by, not factual refutation, but by plain old HUMOUR. Nothing annoys serious people more than other people laughing at them. Perhaps now we should concentrate on mockery (as childish as it is) as the final weapon to discredit many of the alamist claims?

Jan 4, 2014 at 5:39 PM | Unregistered CommenterDave_G

Why is everyone surprised? This is a classic example of a warmist "science" project.

1) It used public funds (they even elicited supplemental donations!)

2) It wasted not only the original funds but caused further wasteful spending/efforts.

3) It impeded real science

4) When the raw data was looked at, it proved the opposite of the original intention (they really need to learn the Mann/Jones method)

5) The organizers still managed to have fun/party/consume on someone else's dime.

6) It was declared a success!

7) Anyone pointing out the debacle was demonized.

Jan 4, 2014 at 6:16 PM | Unregistered Commenterharkin

Do the tourist have the option to continue their trip when the ice melts or just a refund?

Jan 4, 2014 at 7:56 PM | Unregistered CommenterMartyn

Where do the Australis and Chinese send their bills? I imagine that the rescue will have cost considerably more than the original trip...

Jan 4, 2014 at 9:39 PM | Registered Commenterjamesp

The Turkey must have watching this video too much --- he probably thought Commonwealth Bay was ice free all the time esp. with all the AGW / sarc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-9yJ6-6aEs

Jan 4, 2014 at 9:43 PM | Unregistered CommenterRoss

O/T but related: I've just watched the fascinating but chilling PQ-17 Arctic Convoy documentary by Jeremy Clarkson (who is excellent at this stuff).

After the convoy is told to scatter to escape the (non-existent) Turpitz a trawler heads North into the Arctic Circle with some merchant ships where they get stuck in the ice. With the enemy still looking for them they paint the ships white and drape sheets over the boats for camouflage. Amazingly they survive including having to catch and eat some of the local birds on the way and eventually make it to their destination Archangel. Many, many poor souls in the convoy perish in the icy waters.

The contrast between those unbelievably brave guys from a different era and the modern day climate buffoons could not be starker.

Still available On Demand and well worth a watch.

Jan 4, 2014 at 10:20 PM | Registered CommenterSimonW

O/T but related: I've just watched the fascinating but chilling PQ-17 Arctic Convoy documentary by Jeremy Clarkson (who is excellent at this stuff).

Seconded, well worth a watch and JC does it justice which you would not expect from his normal demeanour ;) .

Jan 5, 2014 at 4:44 PM | Registered CommenterBreath of Fresh Air

I hear the Yanks are on the way, to the rescue. Just like in WW1 and WW2, just in time to claim they won.

Jan 5, 2014 at 5:40 PM | Unregistered CommenterThe Prangwizard of England

"need to divert resources away from serious research in order to rescue a team of public funded holidaymakers."

Ah is that the Greenpeace activists released from Russia we are talking about?

Jan 7, 2014 at 12:16 AM | Unregistered Commenternmm

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