Because “certain people” have given me suggested that the lavish swag provided to media at these events biases my position on Heartland, I wanted to give people a view of what it was like to attend as media this year. While some of those “certain people” will surely complain that this is not hard reporting (it’s not) I’m going to show it anyway. I’m willing to answer other questions about the atmosphere of the meeting.
I arrived, picked up my ‘media’ packet, which mostly consisted of a white envelope with directions instructing me that I should wear my badge at all times, and to be cautious because NATO was in town and protestors might appear etc.
As some might be aware, there conference includes breakfast, lunch and dinner speakers in the dining room. I wanted to see those; I was o advised that media who had not purchased meals (that would be me) were to sit in the back corner and not at the dining tables. So, I sat with my fellow media in the back corner. The number of people in that area varied from pretty full (which might be a dozen) to 4 or 5 at a time. Here is a photo taken when only a few where present.
For our vantage point we had a very good view of the presentations. However, as some know, I like to take photos of the people. I snapped this photo of people eating what smelled like a quite delicious late breakfast. (I ate breakfast at home. My lunch consisted of a chocolate chip cookie and hot chocolate from Starbucks, for which I paid just slightly over $5.)
When I previewed this image I realized I was limited to taking snaps of people who happened to pass by.
As many people will wonder about attendance, I should report that a number of dining tables were empty. I don’t know if this is because some people paid and didn’t show up for breakfast or if it was for some other reason.
While standing in the lobby I noticed Jim Lakely and asked him about the fallout from “The Billboard” wondering if that affected attendance.
He told me that the financial fall out was not as bad as reports in the media make it appear. Presumably, Eli Rabett and John Mashey will go through the tax filings next year and tell us whether Heartland’s finances were or were not heavily impacted– but for now, all I know is Jim Lakely says it’s not as bad as it reads. (Note, I think “The Billboard” was a mistake, distasteful, ad hominem, and a basically not-good-thing irrespective of the financial fall out.)
As for access to information, interviews or good photo-fodder, I did notice other members of the media with more impressive cameras than mine. This included PBS. I noticed they were not sequestered inthe back corner. Some of them would buttonhole people; one began to interview Morano very near the media area. I sneaked out of the media area and, maintaining my tradition of taking very bad pictures of Marc Morano, I managed to snap a photo of Morano with a journalist from something that I think was called “The Sun”. (Some will recognize this guy from the video of the protest group.)
Meanwhile, the NASA group continued to speak. While listening to the NASA group, I walked around to get a view of the well light platform. Here’s what it looked like.
During Jack’s talk, I noticed he mentioned that they need to support the skeptical climate science blogs. (Note: this is a paraphrase. I don’t know exactly how he worded it.) Quite excited I thought “Wow! Finally a chance to apply for support so I too can roll in filthy lucre!”
I later cornered him and grilled him on this subject. Here are paraphrases of the questions and answers:
- Q: Who do you consider to be scientific climate bloggers? A: Roy Spencer.
- Q: How do you propose to support them? A: Tell them they are doing a good job..
Imagine my disappointment. Sigh….
I did discover some free swag was available. Specifically, these mugs and shirts were available for the taking:
I’m pretty sure the smallest size was “L”. Since that size would fall into “nightshirt” category for me and I don’t want to ‘sleep with’ Peter Gleick (or even his image) I took a pass on these. I also gave the mugs a pass. But I did take one of the yellow patriotic t-shirts further down on the table. I also took some of the free pamphlets to peruse later on.
As some know around about this time, I learned of the protest and stepped outside. When I returned, it was lunch time– so I went back to the media area and listened to the Sensenbrenner (R. Wisconsin) during lunch. (Well… I also ducked out to get a cookie during the mystery speakers talk.)
After the protest and lunch, I ran into Pat Michaels (whose photo I did not take) and we went upstairs. Willis Eschenbach came in I motioned toward him; he took a seat next to mine we listened to some talks on the Indian Monsoon and wind energy.
After a few talks, Willis expressed an interest in seeing the Lake so we walked to the lake, and I showed him the vast expanse of water and took him around to get a good look at Buckingham fountain. (I took no photos).
We arrived back at the hotel just in time for drinks.
Anthony Watts kindly offered to buy me a drink. I accepted and had a merlot. (Paul_K2 gets to note this for future snide remarks.)
Further stories of my drinking and my behavior while drinking will surely come out. Though a few people pledged never to reveal the photos, others did not. I suspect photographic evidence of the goings on will emerge….
Lucia –
Was Pat Michaels his usual voluble self?
Was Willis arguing with people?
Were you aware of any Brits who’d made the trip?
Lucia:
The guy from “Sun” is Ezra Levant from Sun News in Canada. Prior to being launched, Sun was referred to as “Fox News North”.
Ezra is a commentator on the network. He is a lawyer. He was brought before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for publishing the Mohamed cartoons. He won. A rare event. He also founded a group in Canada called ethical oil. Their view is that tar sands oil is ethical while Middle Eastern oil is “blood oil” used to fund terrorism. (Yes, yes I know – oil sands. That is political correctness. I find nothing wrong with calling it tar. The stuff sure looks like tar.) He is very bright and surprisingly open minded. If you get the chance, edumacate him.
Cheers
JE
The Guy to Morano’s right is Ezra Levant.
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/shows/the-source.html
As indicated by YFNWG, the gent next to Morano is Ezra Levant and the “Sun” is the Sun News Television Network in Canada. The Sun is a relatively new channel sometimes referred to as “Fox of the North”. It has a strong Conservative (read Republican) slant and is working hard to become relevant in Canadian network news.
Mr. Levant is a lawyer, talk show host and author. He wrote the book “Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oilsands” and hosts a Prime Time news and information program for Sun.
Love him or hate him (there are few who know him who don’t do one or the other) up here in Canada he has a pretty significant voice and media presence.
If you mean was he mostly quiet, yes.
Not in my presence. He was wearing a wild Hawaiian shirt and was thrilled to see Lake Michigan.
At least one. In the picture of the media area, you’ll see an older gentleman sitting in the front row. I didn’t not meet him. But I spoke to the cute young man also in the front row. His name was Brendan Msomething. He was from the UK. I asked him if Brendan was a common name in the UK and he said it’s common in Ireland. (I had a cousin Brendan who passed away in January and I had thought it was more of an Irish last name.)
YFNWG
Has Ezra Levant reported anything about the conference yet? It might be interesting to read or watch.
Lucia,
Re Ezra, Sorry to butt in but here is his reporting so far: http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2012/05/20120523-110259.html
He also tweets under : @ezralevant
He tweets that he will be live tonight at 5 and 8 (eastern) with his views on the presentations
That’s not butting in! I wanted to know who he is. Thanks.
lucia,
It was nice to meet you in person @ ICCC-7 as well as many others that are household names at the skeptic blogs.
I had a great experience during the three days there.
From my discussions with some Heartland staff during drinks and dinners, the billboard experience caused some unplanned bumps in their plans and they are adapting. Â They showed me a very positive attitude.
I would personally say (my thoughts only) that some adjustments at Heartland are likely.
John
Great to meet you too! I only spoke to Lakely about the billboard. He did seem to think the fallout wasn’t as catastrophic as I thought. We’ll see how this pans out. I thought he was hallucinating when I first spoke to him. But then when thinking about the protest, it occurred to me that to the extent that protests against Heartland get coverage, this may help Heartland raise funds from private donors. So.. who knows?
What Vermin Supreme needs is a good impersonator.
====================
kim:
Or athlete’s foot treatment for his head.
The absence of that could explain a lot.
I was amazed to learn this guy is only 51. I took him for late 60s or early 70s! I guess weird hats may make people look older?
I’ve seen pictures of people. I’ve seen pictures of protesters. But I’m told it was a conference on climate change. Any news on that?
What’s the fun in that?
I think I’ll wait for the next IPCC report, personally.
Lucia his beard makes him look older. But he does look like he’s spent years outdoors (his bio says he was a street performer).
Like taking Candida from an old man.
==================
Lucia, your ‘cute young man’ is very probably journalist Brendan Montague. I don’t know his phone number but you can find his email on the web if you’re interested. He was behind an unsuccessful FOI to get the names of the funders of GWPF.
Nick, don’t you agree that Lucia has covered the conference and the protest with the appropriate level of seriousness?
Paul,
Yes, maybe. But I read that Heartland has no current plans for another ICCC. Sounds like news.
I wouldn’t personally use the Guardian as a source of anything other than its entertainment value.
Carrick, yes, the obsession of the activists at the Greeniad with HI is quite comical.
Paul Matthews–
Thanks for the name. Brendan Montague
He is very nice looking– nice hair. Nice eyes. Friendly.
I found this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/26/news-of-the-world-phone-hacking
His blog is here:
http://www.atthesauce.blogspot.com/
Nick Stokes
The content of the talks are all online. I prefer to cover the stuff that is not available online. If you had gone, your reports could focus on whatever you wanted to discuss.
Nick/Carrick–
Bast did say they aren’t currently planning another ICCC conference on Wednesday. His talk is online. You need to fast forward to
http://www.livestream.com/heartlandinstitute/video?clipId=pla_c54286bf-65c4-4710-8a04-0f7e2082e15a&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb
Fast forward to 1:36
Around 1:37 he starts asking people to donate. He then thanks staff. At 1:38 and a smidge he says “At this point we have no plans to do another ICCC”.
I thought at first that this booty beardman was a Greek Orthodox priest? Somehow I always get the impression that most protestors have too much time on their hand. Job, what job?
Thanks Lucia, it’s good to see they aren’t making up everything whole cloth.
Lucia,
“He is very nice looking– nice hair. Nice eyes. Friendly.”
.
Maybe, but those sideburns! They got to go.
SteveF– They could be a little shorter. But they aren’t the full 70s!
——–
Sebastian Lüning
Other people at the meeting
website here: http://www.kaltesonne.de/ He is co-author of “Die Kalte Sonne” and told us the plan to translate into English.
I haven’t found the web page for the other German. He’s obscured by the man wearing the dark red shirt this image
If he blogged, I’d like to link to that. Anyone who knows his name– let me know.
(I should just write Sebastian!)
During my 3 days @ ICCC-7 the presentation I found the most satisfying was Craig Loehle’s panel talk in the afternoon of day #1 (Mon). And I told him so at drinks later.
John
Lucia,
I don’t know, they are not much different from my ‘full 1970’s’ look.
http://i46.tinypic.com/6ok42f.jpg
Ohhh!!! Heh!
Your hair is thicker overall!
John Whitman-
Because I was only there 1 day, I mostly listened to the talks in the dining hall which (as is generally the case) not intended to be as technical as the panel talks upstairs in the conference rooms. In fact, I wasn’t even aware of the existence of the “upstairs” until I ran into Pat Michaels! Going out to watch the protestors also overlapped with many of the non-meal time talks. But really, I figured I can read the content of the talks. I generally prefer that anyway.
Anthony did mention they are putting together a paper. He did cite Zeke and Menne’s work.
Lucia,
Ouch. Yes, 40 years abuses all. I recently asked one of my sons if he would like to make a hair donation… he wasn’t interested. I offer no excuse for the horrible tie selection. It was the era before soft contact lenses (I could not use hard lenses… suffocated my corneas).
Hey, I bought Christopher Monckton a beer when he joined in lucia’s conversation group during cocktail hour on day 2. Very enjoyable exchange.
John
John–
That’s when I noticed Monckton’s crucifix and realized why in the heck Vermin seemed to latch onto the “Jesus” angle.
SteveF–
You needed a tie like that to balance the lapels. Too bad the women are cropped out of the photos; I’d like to see their hair!
I’ve mostly worn glasses though switched to contacts on and off.
BTW: On the lack of plans for future ICCC conferences… I didn’t save the link but I read that this one wasn’t planned until Gleick did his identity-theft-to-get-documents manoeuvre. If true and the planning began later than usual, that could explain a smaller turn out than two years ago.
I’d also note that while the Hilton was lovely, this year, the meeting had discussions on different floors while two years ago, dining and conference rooms were on the same level. (We took the elevator to the conference room(s?)– it wasn’t even just one escalator up!)
So the 2010 digs were better from a mingling point of view. Since much of the purpose of this (and any) conference is mingling among people who share interests, the digs were more optimum in the previous meeting. Also, because the meeting rooms were widely spaced, initially, I thought this meeting was smaller than it was. I thought it was just limited to the dining room, but it was larger than that.
Lucia,
On my right was my ex-wife.. she had long, very slightly wavy dark brown hair, parted in the center and reaching her lower back.
Assuming “lower back” means “touching butt”, that’s how I wore my hair in high school. But I went for layers in college– but never full “Charlies Angels” nor truly “big hair” because that involved too much phoofing. The most I was willing to do was bend at the waist while blowdrying, no hairspray, no ratting, no rollers etc. (My husband’s cousins on his mother’s side did “big hair”.)
Hey, great!
I can access the site again. I was wondering what all the banning was about, but did not pay too much attention to it, because I can follow Lucia’s written thoughts through my dashboard.
However, sometimes it is nice to read the comments, too.
This is totally out of topic and hopefully filtered, but it is nice to read the comments from the people that I have learned to know through the years.
Best regards to all climate cats.
There’s a lot more detail in the dark picture than shown here. For example:
http://flic.kr/p/c4K4Sm
Re: SteveF (Comment #96356)
You have to wonder what happened in the 70’s. How could an entire generation lose all sense of taste? Did everybody go color blind? Was there something in the air? How is this linked (or not) to solar activity?
Anyway, here’s me with a good friend circa 1977 (I’m the one with the big hair)
http://i48.tinypic.com/2db2jvl.jpg
Steveat_uk–
Sure. But those pics are still unattractive. I think the lighter blue shirt is Willis. I was trying to get his photo.
Illya–
I moderate comments when the email is ‘anonymous’. As for other banning– you might just be sharing an IP with a spammer.
Steveta and Lucia:
Yes, that was indeed Willis. If I remember correctly, that is me sitting next to him (he made a dig about sociologists when I mentioned that was what I did – can’t blame him, I often feel the same way) and Tom Wysmuller sitting next to me. With all those shiny scalps, it’s a little hard to be sure. I think I need to have a word with my barber…
Lucia, don’t forget I was enhancing the low-res version you published. I assume there would be far more detail available from enhancing the original.
steveta_uk
Sure. That would be important if I were trying to do spook or forensic work. But I’m blogging. The enhanced photos remain unattractive so I figured it was better to take different photos.