Ken Cuccinelli versus the University of Virginia

The ongoing battle between Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a/k/a Cooch, a/k/a Ken Kookinelli, appears to be heating up. As readers may recall, Kookinelli is demanding that UVA turn over documentation on climate change and global warming that doesn't comport with Kookinelli's delusional views. The Washington Post in its May 13th editorial has encouraged UVA to fight back and now it appears the University may be about to do just that. As Rosalind Helderman at the Post is reporting, UVA has hired legal counsel to assist it in responding to Kookinelli's attempts to intimidate the university and researchers at other state affiliated colleges and universities. As a long time Virginia resident, from the beginning I have thought Kookinelli an idiot for taking on UVA. With its huge alumni base and influence throughout the state it is definitely a risky political move and one that will come back to bite Kookinelli sharply in the ass. First, some highlights from the Post's editorial:
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VIRGINIA ATTORNEY General Ken Cuccinelli II has decided to misuse state funds in his personal war against climate science. But that doesn't mean anyone else should cooperate.
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The University of Virginia has until next week to challenge the attorney general's demand that it turn over vast numbers of documents written by or relating to Michael Mann, one of the most famous American climate scientists, who worked at U-Va. from 1999 to 2005. The attorney general wants the university to hand over practically every document Mr. Mann touched during his years at U-Va., including correspondence between him and a long list of other prominent climate scientists.
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Mr. Cuccinelli, apparently, speculates that Mr. Mann defrauded taxpayers by obtaining research grants to study global temperatures. It's clear from his statements that the "Climategate" controversy -- in which hackers stole records of e-mails between climate researchers that global warming skeptics then distorted -- inspired his witch hunt. Is there any doubt that the attorney general is trying to restoke that row with a fresh batch of e-mails?
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In the process, he would deal grave harm to scientific inquiry throughout Virginia's public higher education system. Science progresses when researchers can propose ideas freely, differ in their methods and argue about the interpretations of their results. The commonwealth should nurture that process, not make scientists fear that they will be subject to investigation if a politician dislikes their conclusions.
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But it [UVA] must file a challenge. Moreover, Gov. Robert F. McDonnell should join the dozens of others -- including some of Mr. Mann's harshest critics -- in condemning Mr. Cuccinelli, lest he be implicated in this assault on reason.

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Kookinelli is a buffoon, but a very dangerous buffoon since he will not hesitate to misuse the power of his office to further his own delusional and warped views. He is untethered from reality and he views everything through a crazy and theocratic perspective. It is a huge embarrassment that he was elected to state wide office. I sincerely hope that he will find that he challenged the wrong foe in this fight. Here are highlights on UVA's engagement of legal counsel in this dispute:
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The University of Virginia has hired the big law firm Hogan Lovells to help the school evaluate its options in responding to a civil subpoena from the state attorney general seeking documents related to the work of a former professor. It's the strongest indication yet that the school is seriously considering fighting the subpoena in court, as various academic groups have urged.

"The University and its Board of Visitors believe it is important to respond to this [civil information demand]," said John O. Wynne, the Rector of the university, in his first statement on the issue. "Research universities must defend the privilege of academic freedom in the creation of new knowledge. Hogan Lovells will help us to explore the appropriate options for a response."
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Dealing with the legal issues is tricky for the university's own general counsel's office, because its members are formally employees of the attorney general's office. In the university's most lengthy statement to date on the issue, U.Va. president John T. Casteen III referred to a statement issued by the faculty senate criticizing Cuccinelli's Civil Investigative Demand as an attack on academic freedom.
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Personally, I continue to believe that a psychological assessment of Kookinelli would conclude that the man is NOT sane and hence ought to be removed from office. Meanwhile, Bob McDonnell should be forced to take a position on Kookinelli's misguided jihad against the university and academic freedom.