The new Space/Science mods are grappling with how to handle the topic of global warming, because so often what's been discussed on SS really isn't the science of global warming so much as the politics surrounding the science of global warming.

I've had some fruitless arguments with Tom over political bias and corporate influence, on Space/Science where, on second thought, I'm not sure it was appropriate. If an instance comes to light in which it's proven that scientific results were falsified, that'd be one thing, and be a topic relevant to a Science board; but speculating about the motives of various groups of researchers very probably belongs on CE (or on Flame) because the positions are guaranteed to be political.

When you said "The place for the lithified braincases to gripe aganst the reality of the situation is here", I can understand why Tom sarcastically recast it as "Pro-human-caused-warming, Space Board. Objections? Flame Board". There's a grain of truth in that complaint (tho' I'd never endorse Tom's reflexive hyperbole). Understand, even though it's well-known that I personally agree with you about the battle lines and agendae, in fairness I can see how statements like that blow up inside a "lithified braincase" into offense. That's how we get fruitless political arguments on the science board.

You're right about the broader political and social context, yet saying so on Space/Science can only lead to flaming; it can't ever lead to resolution, in the scientific sense, because it's not really about the science.

Whatta we got so far here? gb took it seriously and made a serious reply. SDAI-Tech1 did an SDAI-Tech1. A few flames, and discussion about whether it belongs on Flame.

Which pretty much describes most discussions on the topic of global warming. Ya know, this is a pretty dreary topic most of the time, when you think about it. It doesn't bring the best out of people, and just spreads the political toxins to places like Space/Science. I'd call it a toxic topic, and if the mods feel the need to wear gloves and treat it like hazmat, I can sympathize.