Maybe. But they've had the opportunity for years to explain their methodology to the world. Yet they refused to release the details of what they were doing, tak

Maybe. But they've had the opportunity for years to explain their methodology to the world. Yet they refused to release the details of what they were doing, taking this attitude (as quoted from one of the alleged emails): We should be able to conduct our scientific research without constant fear of an "audit" by Steven McIntyre; without having to weigh every word we write in every email we send to our scientific colleagues. ... I am unwilling to submit to this McCarthy-style investigation of my scientific research... I will continue to refuse such data requests in the future. Nor will I provide McIntyre with computer programs, email correspondence, etc. I feel very strongly about these issues. We should not be coerced by the scientific equivalent of a playground bully. I will be consulting LLNL's Legal Affairs Office in order to determine how the DOE and LLNL should respond to any FOI requests that we receive from McIntyre. They shouldn't be surprised now to find that they're being tarred. Of course, that doesn't help us extract the truth of the situation. But it's a pretty clear object lesson to other scientists.