When we announced the results of the lawsuit between Michael Mann and Tim Ball, one of the commenters, Serge Wright came up with this witicism that was a twist on the old phrase “Play the ball, not the man” when it comes to arguments. Wikitionary says:

To object to someone’s argument by attacking the argument itself instead of them or a facet of their personality; to avoid or make the opposite of an ad hominem attack. 

Too often in the climate debate, people get attacked personally, such as is the case of Mann vs. Ball.

When I sent the play on words to Josh, he found humour in it, as always: