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The Supreme Court this Friday considered whether to take up a prominent climatologist’s defamation suit against a venerated conservative magazine, in a case that pits climate scientists against the free speech rights of global warming skeptics.

The dispute between scientist Michael Mann and the National Review has drawn attention from lawmakers, interest groups, academics and media, as the court weighs adding a potentially blockbuster First Amendment showdown to an already politically charged docket.

Scientists hail Mann’s lawsuit as a necessary defense against efforts to erode public confidence in the scientific consensus that climate change is an urgent threat, while free speech advocates have rallied around the iconic conservative publication.

The case has made for strange bedfellows, with the National Review receiving backing from the Center for Investigative Reporting, which has produced award-winning coverage of climate change; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); The Washington Post; and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

“The only way to protect free speech for our allies is to protect it for our adversaries,” Arthur Spitzer, ACLU D.C.’s legal director, told The Hill. “Today it’s unacceptable to deny climate change, but yesterday it was unacceptable to deny that homosexuality was sinful, and tomorrow it may be unacceptable to deny that robots are better parents than humans.”

Mann, the plaintiff, gained renown among climate scientists in the late 1990s for his “hockey stick” graph, which showed a sharp uptick in the earth’s temperatures over the 20th century as carbon emissions from human activity were also on the rise.

He later came under fire from skeptics after leaked emails with colleagues fueled accusations of misconduct, in a controversy dubbed “Climategate.” But in 2010, Mann’s employer, Penn State University, cleared the research professor of wrongdoing.

The National Review questioned the decision, though, accusing the school of a whitewash, and Mann of scientific fraud. Writers likened Mann to “the Jerry Sandusky of climate science,” a reference to the then-recently convicted serial pedophile and former football coach at Penn State.

“Instead of molesting children, he has molested and tortured data,” Mark Steyn wrote for the magazine, citing the work of a blogger at the libertarian think tank Competitive Enterprise Institute, another party to the suit.

Mann, who was cleared of wrongdoing in several separate investigations, threatened legal action if the accusations of data manipulation and misconduct were not retracted.

In an abrasive response, National Review editor Rich Lowry penned an article bearing the headline “Get Lost.” Practically taunting Mann to sue, Lowry said the magazine looked forward to prying additional documents through the discovery process because it would only discredit Mann further.

–Climate Depot

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill that defines autocycles in state law and establishes registration fees for the vehicles.

Autocycles are three-wheeled vehicles that seat one or two people.

The Republican-authored bill defines autocycles as vehicles with three wheels in contact with the ground, seating that doesn’t require straddling and a steering wheel. The bill establishes a $45 annual registration fee.

Evers signed the bill privately Friday.

According to a state Department of Transportation estimate, 1,030 vehicles that fit the autocycle definition are currently registered in Wisconsin as motorcycles for a $23 biennial fee. That fee generates about $11,845 annually.

The department projects it will cost about $160,000 to re-program computers to implement the $45 fee and create autocycle license plates. The new fee should generate about $46,350 annually.

According to Rich Anderson, Mastermind/Ringleader, Veteran of 4 years of Coast Guard Service, American Legion Rider, and board President, they had an idea to put on a rock concert type of event to raise money for veteran based charities – and other vets in their community in dire need. Yeah, they basically woke up one morning and decided they wanted to put on a rock concert and raise money this way….

READ THE PHOTO FEATURE AT BIKERNET – CLICK HERE

Arrival at Dealerships Expected in Early Summer of 2020

MARIETTA, Ga. – November 22, 2019 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, today announced two more model colors for the 2021 Ténéré 700 Adventure Touring motorcycle along with suggested retail pricing and an update for expected delivery timing. In addition to the previously announced Ceramic Ice color, Matte Black and Intensity White color schemes will be available, with all three models carrying an MSRP of $9,999.

A complete lineup of Yamaha Genuine Accessories for the 2021 Ténéré 700 is currently in development, and Yamaha dealers will begin receiving both motorcycle and accessory inventory in the early summer of 2020. Anyone interested in purchasing the lightweight, go-anywhere Ténéré 700 can register to receive more information and updates from Yamaha by visiting https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/tenere-700-ims.

The Next Horizon is yours
With a spirit of adventure embedded in their DNA, Yamaha Adventure bikes are rugged, tough, and reliable. Each Ténéré model in the Adventure Touring segment opens up the possibilities of endless travel and enables riders to discover a feeling of utter freedom where the only limits exist within a rider’s imagination.

To find out more about the 2021 Ténéré 700, visit https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/adventure-touring/models/tenere-700.

We are pleased to present the fifth piece in David Uhl’s Holiday Collection, titled “Home By Dark”. This piece brings back great memories – – it reminds us of simpler times, when your main objective (decreed by Mom and Dad) was to be home by the time the streetlights came on. These adventurous lads get a helping hand as they race home for dinner.

This new addition joins the ranks of “Tis the Season”, “Frozen in Time”, “Timber Titan” and “Joy Ride” in this series.

We will begin taking orders now and will close the edition on January 1, 2020. Each canvas print will come hand-signed and numbered with Certificate of Authenticity.

Home by Dark – edition specifics:
** Image size 24×24, $895 framed
** Image size 30×30, $1,895 framed
NOTE: Shipping is additional

Simply email me to place your order. greg@uhlstudios.com .Those collecting the series will be given first right of refusal on matching edition numbers. New collectors to the series will be slotted in as order confirmations are received.

You can view specifics on his first four Holiday pieces via the blue link below. We do have very limited quantities of these four, so if you’d like one, please let me know ASAP!

https://www.uhlstudios.com/fine-art/collections/holiday-series/

Larry “The Spiderman“ McBride is the most decorated Top Fuel Motorcycle racer ever with 19 championships to his credit and multiple records as well. This type of legacy is built on big moments and McBride just added another to his resume by breaking his own world record with a legendary pass in the 5.50s during the Man Cup Finals at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

Recently at the Manufacturers Cup MTC Engineering Nationals at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina McBride laid down a pavement-shredding 5.607 at 263.10 MPH to win the event. During that race, McBride reset the record multiple times before lighting the boards with the 5.607 lick. This level of performance was totally unheard of in the Top Fuel Motorcycle ranks and it made the numerous record-setting passes at one event even more impressive.

After the Rockingham event, people began to wonder if McBride could push his nitro-fed machine into the 5.50s at the Man Cup Finals. McBride wasted no time answering that question taking advantage of the near-perfect conditions to run a 5.507 at 264.96 MPH. This resets his own record by a tenth and tacked on some MPH for good measure. This new record might not ever be eclipsed unless McBride does it himself again on his way to a 20th Top Fuel Motorcycle title.