No wonder people are not only confused but also concerned;
Thomas Karl, the head of Obama's new Climate Change office has been criticized for trying to suppress contradictory scientific data on climate change.
The following inclination may also be part of the problem;
He said the people who run the agencies in charge of climate monitoring are too narrowly focused, and he worries that the creation of the new office "would give the same small group of people the chance to speak on the issue and exclude others" whose views might diverge from theirs
Read more at: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/02/22/tom-karl-tried-to-suppress-data-critics-charge/#/scitech/planet-earth/ci.New+Climate+Agency+Head+Tried+to+Suppress+Data%2C+Critics+Charge.opinion
I'm afraid I have to say that's sensible talk Zulu.
The debate is a technical one with very subtle pointers. It is not well served by being aired in circles where the understanding is poor (and I include this forum in that since no-one here has publicly announced their professional involvement in climate analysis). What is needed is an efficient network of talented climate scientists that are trusted by the majority to reach the right conclusions.
The anti-AGW camp appear to be purely interested in discrediting - I say "appear" because I haven't heard a real anti-AGW scientist AFAIK.
Before I get a six-foot long reply with a million references I must declare that I am not interested enough to go looking too hard since my specialities are in a different field. 
Before I get a six-foot long reply with a million references

rest easy Chris

It is not well served by being aired in circles where the understanding is poor
....following that logic Chris the majority of people in this country should be denied a vote, as they have no real understanding of the complex issues that need to be addressed to keep our Nation running in some form of balance.
For the record, I am of the view that climate change
is real but caused by the natural cycle rather than wholly human activity.
It is essential however that when assertions are made, such as those by the IPCC, which will fundamentally alter our pattern of day to day behaviour and provide government with hitherto unachievable legislative power, we have the right to question the validity of the reasons given for this change.
Not to do so is an abrogation of our personal responsibility - surely it's not too much to ask for the results of this science to be based on properly constructed models, realistically reviewed, and free from interference from partisan groups and interested disciples of greater state control and wealth accumulation?