'Climategate' scientists cleared. Should there be consequences for the 'Deniers' who cried hoax without evidence of wrongdoing?

Climate change skeptics said the ‘Climategate’ emails suggested data was being manipulated to exaggerate the threat of global warming. Now the investigation is complete and the truth is the emails contained no evidence of scientists deliberately or even inadvertently fudging the numbers. If we were going to hold the scientists to a very high standard of honesty in dealing with data and reporting it, shouldn’t deniers who jumped on this story without sufficient evidence be held to the same standard they wish to enforce? Read the background article and see what you think.