- Author
- Letter Writer
- Subjects
- Letter to the Editor
- Tags
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- June 2017 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
After some lengthy exchanges John Wells seeks one last word:
I wish to thank the Editor for giving me the opportunity for ‘right of reply’ to David F. Flakelar’s rebuttal (March 2017) of my recent article (September 2016). His rebuttal, which includes a wad of the predictable ‘Dr Google’ footnotes including the ‘Sir Humphry’ factor, has not convinced me to adopt an alternate view—far from it. The strident language he used is regretful; ‘dangerous’ to whom? what nonsense. I make the point again that science is not about consensus and more importantly, scientific research must be open to full peer-review—a point lost on Flakelar even though he attempted to ridicule the scientific code. In his rebuttal, his true colours were hoisted when he referred in a dismissive manner, to ‘right wing think tanks…’. This is a common tactic used not only as an attempt to marginalise opinion, but also to further ideological polarisation. Since he has now raised ideology, as evidenced also by many of his sources, and noting his article gave credence to future climate wars, then I believe perspective is needed. Now, the Left might not like hearing this, but, it was national socialism (Herr Hitler with his antecedents in the German Workers’ Party which he later rebadged to the National Socialist Workers’ Party of Germany) and communism (Stalin’s Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic and their satellites abroad) that have led to the greatest loss of life in our planet’s recent history. Significantly, Hitler reneged on the non-aggression pact he signed with Stalin when he attacked Russia in 1941. Today, we live in an uncertain world where national socialism (in all of its forms) and communism will continue to challenge us more so than the ‘sabre rattling’ over carbon dioxide (i.e. plant food and photosynthesis, vital for the earth’s health). Nevertheless, I respect Flakelar’s right to voice his opinion in our modern democracy—freedom of expression, a concept difficult for the Left to grasp, in the most Orwellian of terms. God willing, I hope that I live long enough to witness the continued ‘march of folly’ by the ‘climate change industry’.
By Editor– it is of note we have had another recent letter on this topic by one of our members who resides in Chile. He congratulates us for publishing this article as it is also a vital subject in his country where they are living through similar difficulties attributed to climate change.