Rahmstorf et al. [2004] published a critique to the ariticle ``Celectial driver of Phanerozoic Climate?" [Shaviv & Veizer, 2003]. We show here why the various criticism raised are either irrelevant or erroneous. Thus, the conclusions reached by Shaviv & Veizer [2003] are still valid. In particular, the dominant climate driver on the multi-million year time scale is the variable cosmic-ray flux. CO is important, but it likely plays a secondary role in determining the climate.
An abridged reply to the Rahmstorf et al. critique was accepted and will soon be published in Eos. Since Eos places a strict page limitation, we present here the unabridged reply. The text of the Rahmstorf et al. critique is indented and italicized while our response is not.