As another reader pointed out, it's interesting to note how many (such as you) first-posters to Salon have responded to this article.

Question:

Are you a:

Healer?

Chiropractor?

Peddler of Nostrums?

...Or a Sucker for any or all of the above who must immediately fight against anything that might cause a scintilla of doubt about the efficacy of their favorite "alternative" therapy, lest they realize that they have been taken? Think of all the dollars and effort spent ingesting exotic and foul preparations in the quest of "optimal health."

Here's the rub- You can take all the snake oil you want, and still get run over by a bus tomorrow.

How about using all the money you spend on useless* crap to be of service to others and enjoy life? Stop obsessing over imaginary ailments, and use your precious waking moments to experience the awe and wonder of our everyday existence.

What are you so afraid of?

*Don't think it's useless? Then prove it. The burden of proof is on those who promise extraordinary claims- NOT on those of us who call Bullshit on the hucksters.

Attack me all you want. I won't care

"And if you're going to bemoan the pharmaceutical industry as a money-grubbing industry, keep in mind the supplement industry makes $13 billion a year without having to prove any measurable benefits."

Bravo. My sentiments, exactly.

Let's look at that again. $13 billion, without having to prove any measurable benefits. Sure beats working.

Someone else accused the Pharma industry of "trying to make a fast buck."

Do you realize how much time money and effort must be expended before a new drug is introduced? That's hardly a fast buck. Yes, they can make claims of efficacy. They EARNED that right!

The TRUE fast buck artists are the ones who buy bulk herbs of questionable value from wholesalers, (the same old shit year after year) and repackage them in a fancy bottle labelled with vague and utterly unsubstantiated claims. Old wine in new bottles.

Anyone can do this. Ever see the vendors at these so-called "alternative health" shows at the local hotel? I went once just for a laugh. What I saw really opened my eyes.

Try Googling "Alternative Health + Marketing" and see for yourself.

...I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV.

"...To me, pointing out the failures of the drug industry's testing system and then claiming the solution is to have an unregulated supplement industry that requires NO testing seems a little crazy."

LOL, You think??

OK- This "Modern Medicine is not perfect" thing just came out of your head. If you care, you can re-read my post of Wednesday, March 5, 2008 09:58 AM.

As far as "Speculation in Science..."

Hunh??? You may be a famous inventor, but you are also an ignorant slug. Maybe you flunked out in Science. If you did, that's cool. You can still invent your little gadgets, but do you have any idea how stupid you sound when you say things like, "THERE IS ALWAYS SPECULATION IN ALL SCIENCES AND YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY BRAINS!!!"

Please either educate yourself, or leave science to those of us who know what it is, what it's for, and how it's supposed to work.

Scientists don't speculate. They form hypotheses, and then design experiments to test them. Scientists make no conclusions without evidence. If they do, it ain't science.

If the evidence disproves the hypothesis, then a scientist (provided s/he has a modicum of integrity) will abandon the hypothesis.

By the way, I don't actually play a doctor on TV. That was a reference to a TV commercial from a long time ago. Sorry, I lied.

So have fun with your inventions. Your mother must be very proud of you.

Yes, yes.. I am miserable and vicious.

And PRAISE BE FOR THAT!

Oy... Another Shill-Bot. Go and hang your head in shame!