[Update: Gavin Schmidt has contacted the BAS and requested that they acknowledge Steve McIntyre for his contributions to identifying the BAS station data error(s). BAS has agreed and thanked all for the efforts. I assume that this matter is resolved, and I hope that Gavin will agree. Now everyone can get back to fighting over data, code, and temperatures over Antarctica.]

Gavin Schmidt has written a number of emails to me and my superiors here at the University of Colorado demanding that we take down my post in which I express the opinion that Gavin:

admits to stealing a scientific idea from his arch-nemesis, Steve McIntyre . . . and then representing it as his own idea, and getting credit for it.

Gavin objects to my characterization. He has turned down the offer to post a response here or his correspondence (my offer was made by email and copied here). Though I will point out that any email I get from a .gov address I consider to be in the public domain and fair game for public reproduction (Gavin, please take note in the future).

Gavin’s objections to my characterization, expressed via email to me and my superiors, are that:

1. Noting an error in a database is not ‘a scientific idea’
2. He did not steal the idea
3. Steve McIntyre is not his arch-nemesis

Gavin also observes that I am not privy to his correspondence with BAS (i.e., the organization that he notified of the error that he found based on the idea from Steve). He is correct about this, I am not privy to this correspondence; Rather, my opinions are expressed based on the public record. If Gavin thinks that this correspondence with BAS clarifies the record in some way different than suggested by the public record, then it would be in his interest to make it public. Should he wish to disclose his correspondence with BAS, we will be happy to publish it.

Gavin’s complaints are getting a visible airing here, and I have added an update to the original post, and I am sharing this posting via email with Gavin. Should he wish to elaborate on his views, he may do so here in the comments or in a top level post, the offer remains open.