Art appraiser puts principle ahead of profit

authordefault
on

Bostonian rebuffs denier darling Richardย Lindzen

A Boston art dealer sacrificed an easy buck recently in a principled protest against the writings of the climate change denier-darling Dr. Richard Lindzen, according to an outraged story by the junk scientist and cigarette salesman, Steveย Milloy.

Prof. Lindzen (inset) is a senior scientist at MIT, a man who has had an impressive scientific career, but who for the past decade has made himself famous and much-loved in the climate change denial community by quibbling about narrow aspects of climate change science.

Apparently, the professor suffered a recent house fire, resulting in damage to a valuable old rug. When Lindzen tried to get the damage appraised (Milloy reports), a respected Boston art appraiser rejected the opportunity with thisย comment:

I am sorry to inform you that after some consideration, Iโ€™ve decided not to perform the appraisal service that youโ€™ve requested. Your writing on the subject of global warming is offensive to me personally, and I feel that I would have difficulty being an impartial appraiser of value given my view on theย subject.

You have to admire someone who honors his principles ahead of the opportunity to make easy money. And itโ€™s hardly a surprise that Steve Milloy doesnโ€™t understand the dealerโ€™s objection or his honorableย response.

I only wish he had named the upright entrepreneur: we donโ€™t know that many Boston art collectors, but if we find any, weโ€™d love to send him theย business.

Related Posts

Analysis
on

Farageโ€™s party has shown over the last year that it will attempt to block and reverse clean energy initiatives in its new councils.

Farageโ€™s party has shown over the last year that it will attempt to block and reverse clean energy initiatives in its new councils.
on

Join a May 19 discussion on how advertising and PR professionals can help journalists hold the industry to account, featuring DeSmog investigative reporters.

Join a May 19 discussion on how advertising and PR professionals can help journalists hold the industry to account, featuring DeSmog investigative reporters.
on

The Alberta premier gave a biblical justification for oil expansion at a Christian conference featuring Conservative MPs and provincial cabinet ministers.

The Alberta premier gave a biblical justification for oil expansion at a Christian conference featuring Conservative MPs and provincial cabinet ministers.
Analysis
on

Reform and Green victories set the stage for big climate battles in the years ahead.

Reform and Green victories set the stage for big climate battles in the years ahead.