"The global warming hysteria is disastrous enough in its intended goal, which is to ban the use of our cheapest and most abundant fuels and force us to limp along on “alternative energy” sources that are insufficient to support an industrial civilization. But along the way, the global warming campaign is already wrecking our science and politics by seeking to establish a dogma that cannot legally be questioned."

....

"Steyn and the others are being sued for criticizing Mann’s scientific arguments. In the case of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, for example, they’re being sued for Rand Simberg’s complaint that Mann 'has molested and tortured data.'" 

I'm thinking Mann is counting on the ignorance of juries and judges, as well as betting on his lengthy published and polished history.  Still, this is a disgraceful precedent to even see the light of a courtroom.  

Fantastic article by Tracinski, here.