AND MORE ON CLIMATEGATE

It is worse than thought. Data has been withheld by many other scientists. There should always be an ongoing debate in science about the data no matter what the issue.

In 2004, retired businessman Stephen McIntyre asked the National Science Foundation for information on various climate research that it funds. Affirming "the importance of public access to scientific research supported by U.S. federal funds," the Foundation nonetheless declined, saying "in general, we allow researchers the freedom to convey their scientific results in a manner consistent with their professional judgment."

Which leaves researchers free to withhold information selectively from critics, as when CRU director Phil Jones told Australian scientist Warwick Hughes in a 2005 email: "Why should I make the data available to you, when your aim is to try and find something wrong with it."

Volokh has a detailed analysis of the data issues.

And here is an even more complete summary of issues involved.