your post is claiming exactly that.... where you say this "The point was that this is the strongest hurricane in this basin in the last 170 +/- years"
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The weather network says it's the second strongest (tied with 3 others).  The dates of those stretch back at least 90 years.
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questioning climate alarmism is not the same as questioning climate science.  And questioning climate science is not restricted to simply being a "denier", it can also encompass a look for accuracy in reporting.  Its easy to shout Climate Change!
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If you accept that the climate is warming (seems obvious and supported by data) you then need to look at the causes and quantify their effect on what's happening.  This is where the science and opinions get murkier and more difficult to pinpoint.   But this is what will drive policies.  If we get the policies wrong then our efforts will be for naught.   There is a lot of money in climate change .... don't think that agenda's are not being supported by the "science".