Singer, Monckton et. al. Ponder Legal Action, Generating "Backlash" Against Merchants Of Doubt Movie
The backlash appears to have been initiated by Singer, 90, a Princeton-trained physicist who has a cameo in the film. Singer dismisses the dangers of secondhand smoking. He also denies human activity is a main cause of climate change. “It’s all bunk. It’s all bunk,” a seemingly jovial Singer says in the film.
By last autumn however Singer appeared to be having second thoughts about his participation in the project. In a series of email exchanges with a global network of climate deniers from Christopher Monckton to the Harvard-Smithsonian scientist Willie Soon, Singer raises the prospect of blocking the film’s release.
“Gents, Do you think I have a legal case against Oreskes? Can I sue for damages? Can we get a legal injunction against the documentary?” Singer wrote last October. “I need your advice.” In another email, Singer asks the group: “Has she finally gone too far?...Maybe this is the right time for legal action. What say you?” The cry for help got an immediate response. Monckton offered to help draft a legal complaint against Oreskes.
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Singer did not respond to requests for comment. Oreskes said such attacks were typical of Singer. “This is what he does.” she wrote in an email. “We are not intimidated because we know that our work is factual, based on years of research, and backed up by extensive documentation... And we never used the term he accuses us of using, so there is no basis for complaint.”
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http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/11/climate-sceptics-attempt-to-block-merchants-of-doubt-film
