In the years since the initial filing, Mann's gotten two favorable decisions to allow the case to proceed. But in terms of courtroom drama, not much has transpired, with the exception of Steyn's decision to split from the other two defendants. This has been considered a questionable move, and by all appearances, it seems Steyn is more interested in wasting everyone's time, while complaining that it's Dr. Mann who's slowing the process.

But last week saw movement, as Steyn's request that the suit be dismissed was itself dismissed, as a similar request was in 2014. So this is a small win for Mann, and a loss for Steyn. The judge's patience with Steyn's antics seems to be wearing thin, as the ruling notes that "Only one thing has changed since the court last considered this issue on April 11, 2014 – the date."

The heart of the current issue is that Steyn wanted the discovery process to move forward for his case, while the NRO and CEI cases continue the appeals process. But since it's all really one case, that wouldn't make much sense, and would be a waste of time. According to Mann's statement: "We are pleased with the decision by the court. While we are prejudiced by further delay (as was indicated in the letter we submitted to the Court of Appeals), we opposed Steyn's request because proceeding with discovery without all defendants would be inefficient and unfair."

While Steyn is busy complaining about the slow pace of the courts, and some might think he has a point, a similar case in Canada took five years to resolve (in the climate scientist's favor.)

So even though Steyn laments the wait, his apparently pointless appeals suggest perhaps he's just trying to raise enough funds to pay off the damages Mann might just win. Given how rabidly he's been promoting his book attacking Mann and store to raise funds for the trial, that might not be so far-fetched.

A competent lawyer might have told him that when facing a defamation charge, expanding your attack into a whole book is about the dumbest thing a defendant can do, if said lawyer were being frank on Steyn's monstrous behavior.

---—

Top Climate and Clean Energy Stories:

Biggest US coal company funded dozens of groups questioning climate change | The funding spanned trade associations, corporate lobby groups, and industry front groups as well as conservative thinktanks and was exposed in court filings last month.

Renewables Will Top Gas as Biggest U.S. Power Source in 2031 - This U.S. shift will be driven by $745 billion in investments in renewables through 2040, outstripping the projected $95 billion that will be spent on building new fossil-fuel plants

Apple Inc. Creates Energy Company To Sell Renewable Power Direct To Consumers | Apple claims that it powers 93 percent of its operations (offices, retail stores, data centers) using renewable energy thanks to the company's investment in solar energy

The World Nears Peak Fossil Fuels for Electricity - Coal and gas will begin their terminal decline in less than a decade

Record temps cause surface melting in Greenland to explode | Last Thursday (June 9), temperatures in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, reached 75 degrees F.