So the Republicans are threatening to hold hearings on climate science, with the intent of attacking scientists with the false "climategate" charges.
I say: bring it on! Properly handled, it could really help muster support for effective action to slow global warming
Properly handled how? By the climate scientists replying aggressively, not allowing themselves to be put on the defensive. Remember how George Galloway tore into the Republicans in 2005 when they called him testify, thinking they were going to put him on the spot? That's the kind of approach we need from the climate scientists.
So when a Republican raises a false charge, the reply should be stern. If each scientist testifying began an answer with something like, "Senator, that is completely untrue, and you know it. You're playing politics with the planet's future" before going on to refute with facts the misstatements, and then emphasize the real dangers of climate change, Republicans are going to end up with egg on their faces (as they did with Galloway), and the soundbites on the news channels can only help the public see how they've been misled.
I know it's not in the nature of dispassionate scientists to do more than present facts unemotionally. But if they can rouse themselves to confront the Republicans assertively and not buckle before them, then the threatened hearings are something to be welcomed, not feared.